Leading civil rights activist, President Women Arise for Change and Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr Josephine Obiajulu Okei-Odumakin has paid a glowing tribute to Bob Marley on the commemoration of the death of the late reggae music legend.
Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981 over what is officially classified as ‘malignant melanoma’, a dangerous type of cancer that was found on his toe. And on the 34th anniversary of his demise, Dr. Okei-Odumakin, has taken time out to reflect on the impact of the lyrics produced by the Jamaican musician during her incarceration by the General Sani Abacha-led junta during the post June 12 struggle for Nigerian democracy.
Dr Oke-Odumakin who was arrested and imprisoned 17 times during the struggle for Nigerian democracy, met her husband, Yinka Odumakin in prison. She disclosed that Bob Marley’s songs remained the major inspiration during her periods of incarceration. “Beyond entertainment, lyrics of #BobMarley are ideological tonic. So, even as I was in prison, I felt so free. Even while receiving gunshot during protest against military rule, #BobMarley songs rang in my head not to give up!,” the Zaria-born activist disclosed.
According to her, even the present (Bob Marley) hair style she spots was inspired by the late musician and she carries it in honour of his soul. “Today, I can reveal that Bob Marley inspired my permanent hair style,” she declared.
On the way Nigerians can relate the work of late Bob Marley to their own personal and national challenges, the award-winning activist advised that people should emancipate themselves from mental slavery and stand up for their rights, just as Marley preached in his songs.
Her words: “Pls sing along “Emancip8 urself 4rm mental slavery; non but ourselves can free our mind..#BobMarley is an ideology!”
By Olisemeka Obeche
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