One Year Without Oddy: Remembering Canada-based Nigerian lawyer Ayo Odekunle’s death
Today marks one year since Canada-based Nigerian lawyer Ayo Odekunle passed on after an unsuccessful battle with cancer.
Mr Odekunle, fondly known as Oddy by his close friends, died on December 29, 2023, from stage four gastric cancer.
His zest for life was reflected in his brilliant hot takes on social media, particularly X, where his tweets endeared him to tens of thousands of followers, the majority of whom contributed generously to the Gofundme account opened for his family following his demise.
Mr Odekunle had a penchant for knowledge so much that he refused to let his cancer diagnosis stop him from getting called to the bar in Canada, despite hearing from doctors that he had little time to live.
He was already a practising lawyer in Nigeria, and upon his relocation to Edmonton, Canada, in 2020, he activated all the necessary measures to get called to the Canadian bar.
Originally on a life quest to become a journalist due to his love for the profession, Mr Odekunle soon enrolled at the University of Ibadan to study law after his parents convinced him to ditch journalism.
“Writing was my forte, I told daddy, but daddy felt otherwise,” Mr Odekunle revealed years before his demise.
The Gofundme appeal spearheaded by writer and political commentator Japheth Omojuwa to cater to Mr Odekunle’s wife, Halima, and their two children, Kamilah and Khalil, exceeded C$30,000 on its first day of launch.
Prominent personalities, including former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, activist and rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, Mr Omojuwa, and others, paid tributes to eulogise the lawyer.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 5
Seven die in Bauchi-Maiduguri road crash
The police spokesperson said an investigation had commenced to determine the immediate and remote causes of the accident.
World
FBI offers $50,000 reward for information on fugitive wanted for violent crimes
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Mr Singh in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, California on July 1.
Hot news Home top
Troops kill ISWAP cameraman, detects Palestinian trainer, Moroccan doctor in Borno onslaught
Mr Goni said troops subsequently dominated the area and conducted follow-up exploitation operations to determine the extent of the terrorists’ losses.
Hot news Home top
Exceptional individuals like you don’t come often in generation, Tinubu hails Soyinka @92
Mr Tinubu described Soyinka as an exceptional personality whose courage, intellect and lifelong advocacy for justice illuminated humanity’s path.
States
Clerics urge unity, intense prayers against Nigeria’s security challenges
urged citizens to pair their prayers with absolute obedience to godly principles and generosity toward one another to attract divine favours for the country.
