Months after rights activist Yinka Odumakin died in a hospital, his wife Joe Okei-Odumakin welcome their twins on Wednesday.

The news was shared on Mrs Odumakin’s Facebook page on Sunday, disclosing that the babies were delivered in the United States, 18 years after her second child.

The statement reads in part: “The “miracle” birth fulfilled the wishes of the late Odumakin towards the end of his sojourn on earth to have another baby to be named after him.

“The couple got married in 1997, had their first baby girl in 2000 and the second, a boy, in 2003. While the girl was named after Joe, the boy was named Abraham after the late Afenifere leader, Pa Abraham Adesanya.

“The twins are coming 18 years after the last childbirth.

“After he survived a three-day coma in 2020 and a few months before he succumbed to the illness that eventually but unexpectedly claimed his life, YO, as he is fondly called, developed a strong desire for him and his wife to have another baby.

“Thank God Joe did not dither or procrastinate as she took in just about the time YO took ill and never recovered. 

“It was good news that Joe conceived but YO never got to hear the news of his wishes coming to pass as he did not make it out of the ventilator.

“He had, however, prophetically left words concerning what the baby or babies should be called if his wishes materialised.

“YO was so accurate in his predictions that they could be twins (and their sex) that he gave the names of the babies and told his wife how he would raise them.

“While many may interpret this to mean that YO had premonition about his death, it was only a strong desire expressed by him to have babies that he would dot over and who would possibly step into his “aluta” shoes.

“It’s a dream come true!”

Mr Yinka Odumakin passed away on April 3, weeks after battling with COVID-19 at the hospital. He died at the age of 59 few months after his mother passed on.

He was an active member of Afenifere group for decades and was the group’s spokesman till death. He was one of the key political activists who were at the forefront of fighting for democracy when General Sani Abacha was in power.

Mr Odumakin was buried at Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro on April 24.