“For decades,ProfessorOdekunlepreached the virtues of probity and accountability in the public and private sectors, as well as other areas of life, long before his last national assignment as a member of PACAC. Even under thecurrent administrationwhichhe served, ProfessorOdekunlewasunsparing in his occasional outbursts regarding consistent efforts by top government officials and their friends to sabotage the war against corruption. For such a remarkable personality, a true patriot who placed high premium on honesty and integrity and demonstrated it, our country has been grossly shortchangedbyhis exit.”

Onumah recalled the collaboration between AFRICMIL and PACAC on various activities over the years, noting that ProfessorOdekunleplayed an invaluablerolein fostering thecollaborationbetween bothorganisations. One of suchcollaborations,according tothe statement, was a workshop in Abuja which was aimed at getting Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs)toadoptwhistleblowing and design a policy for effective implementation in their offices.“We have fond memories of the role ProfessorOdekunleplayed at thisevent. He not only sat through the two-day event but also masterfully steered sessions with his usually engaging frank and scholarly perspectives, Onumah said.”

“ProfessorOdekunle’sdeath hasleft a void in the anti-corruption community which would be hard to fill.”