Condolences and heartfelt messages flooded the social media app, X, on Saturday as news of the passing of Ayokunle Odekunle, a well-known Canada-based Nigerian lawyer, spread. Odekunle succumbed to stage 4 cancer.
Announcing the sad news, X user @KayceeMaduYEG shared on Twitter, “It is with profound sadness that I bring to you that our dear brother, friend, and colleague, Ayokunle Odekunle, @oddy4real, lost his courageous battle with stage 4 cancer. Ayo was a brilliant young lawyer who sacrificed so much to be called to the Alberta Bar this past June whilst terminally ill. We had hoped for a miracle.”
A 2011 Law graduate of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Odekunle was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012 and to the Alberta Bar in 2023. He had a distinguished career with Kenna Partners, a prominent commercial litigation firm in Nigeria. Known for handling high-profile cases for multinational clients, Odekunle secured victories as a litigator.
His legal practice focused on Family Law, Immigration, Wills and Estate, and general litigation. Odekunle is survived by his wife and children.
X users expressed their condolences and shared personal experiences with the late lawyer. @Omojuwa tweeted, “Rest in peace my brother @oddy4real. I am glad I spent time with you and your beautiful family on my visit to Canada earlier this month. You were strong and dogged. You couldn’t have done more. I love you, brother. Rest in peace.”
@OgbeniDipo wrote, “Rest in peace @oddy4real. You fought a good fight. May God bless your soul and comfort your wife and kids. Amen.”
@alexlobaloba tweeted, “Rest in peace, my dear brother, friend, and a great mentor! The writing seed you planted in me back in Mayflower and the University of Ibadan will continue to blossom. Thank you for everything, I am grateful. This hits to the marrow.”
@WunmiWonka shared, “Oddy was one of the people who saw the GoFundMe for my dad and amplified without me reaching out to them. I only met him once. He then would reach out to check how I was doing despite battling cancer himself. I was really hoping he’d win the battle. Rest in Peace, Soldier.”
