A year after the demise of the former governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his family converged on Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Council of the state, on Friday, to honour and celebrate the legacies of their late patriarch. 
 
This was as the state governor of Ondo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared that the new High Court Complex in Akure, the state capital, will be named after his late boss, Akeredolu.
 
Following a long, protracted illness, Akeredolu gave up the ghost on December 26, 2023, in Germany. Speaking during the first-year memorial service of the former governor, the Diocesan Bishop of The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, Imola Owo, Revd. Stephen Fagbemi, described Akeredolu as an exceptional politician who stood for the people.
 
According to the bishop, if the late governor were to be alive, he would have voiced against the current hardship Nigerians are facing in the country.  Fagbemi, who stressed that agriculture and security must be given priority in order to tackle the challenges facing the country, stated that “as a diocese, we remember his exceptional service as our Chancellor and a devoted member of the Church.”
 
He added: “As a politician, he was known for his integrity and advocacy for justice, particularly his vigorous campaign for the southern presidency and power shift from the north.

 “If he were alive today, no doubt he would have spoken against the current state of hunger and hardship in our land. Corruption continues to rob the people of the true dividends of democracy. We must prioritise security and sustainable farming to address these challenges.
 
On his part, Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, described his erstwhile boss as a courageous leader and advocate of good governance.
 
The governor stated that the one-year remembrance was not a jamboree but a desire to immortalise the former governor of the state for what he stood for and for his numerous contributions to the development of the state and the country as a whole.
 
“We will continue to remember him for being at the forefront and for rallying his brother governors to institutionalise the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, a homegrown security outfit that is currently doing a tremendous job at combating insecurity in our land. This is in addition to other laudable infrastructural initiatives midwifed by our late leader,” he added.
 
Meanwhile, in his tribute to the late former governor, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, emphasised that the deceased wasn’t afraid to speak truth to power at all times. 
 
“At our meetings at the level of the Governors’ Forum, Aketi will say whether they like it in Abuja or not; we will do it; nothing will happen.
 
“In politics, it is not a common quality to have people who are as compassionate as politicians. Many are competent, some have capacity, but what really makes a fundamental difference is courage. Aketi had the courage in abundance. Even when things were not going well, he was unfazed,” he said.
 
On his part, the first son of the former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Jnr, stated: “It has been a long, tough year that we have been without daddy around. I feel there is such a big hole and a lot of emptiness. I’m definitely missing dad a lot. It just feels so much longer. It is a year, but I feel like I have lived five years just because I missed him.”
 
Meanwhile, speaking at the flag off the construction of the Judiciary Village, Aiyedatiwa stated that the vision for the project was conceived by the late Akeredolu before his demise.
 
Aiyedatiwa, who described the project as a historic milestone for the state, stressed that the project would be completed within 48 months, adding that his administration is committed to the advancement of justice and the welfare of judicial officers in the state. 
 
He said: “This is a milestone celebration as we flag off the construction of a new High Court Complex in our dear state. Since the creation of Ondo State in 1976, no attempt has been made to provide a modern edifice for the administration of justice. Today, we are not only making history but also fulfilling a long-standing dream of the judiciary.
 
“This development is the actualisation of the dream and vision of our late leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. It was his desire to provide a state-of-the-art High Court Complex to enhance the workload and welfare of our judiciary. Naming this project the Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu Judiciary Complex is a fitting way to immortalise his legacy.”
 
The governor, who emphasised the importance of embarking on the project despite financial challenges, said the commitment was borne out of the desire to speed up the dispensation of justice in the state within a conducive environment. 
 
“This complex will include a ceremonial court, modular courts, a registry, a library, exhibition buildings, a utility building, and modern parking facilities. It is designed to create a conducive environment for the administration of justice and to speed up the dispensation of justice in Ondo State,” he added.  Earlier in his address, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, lauded the initiative, describing it as a landmark achievement. 
 
“This complex will elevate the judiciary to global standards with modern facilities capable of competing with any judicial system in the world. The governor’s commitment to this project demonstrates his dedication to peace, justice, and the overall development of Ondo State,” Justice Odusola remarked.
 
Providing a technical overview, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Akinwumi Sowore Esq., said: “The Judiciary Village is a hub designed to ensure justice is served in an environment that promotes efficiency. It will house 14 courtrooms, a registry, a library, an exhibition hall, a utility building, and ample parking spaces.”
 
On his part, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), praised the governor’s commitment to advancing the rule of law. 
 
“In just one year, Governor Aiyedatiwa has laid a solid foundation for the growth of Ondo State’s judicial infrastructure. This project is a testament to his promise of accessible justice and his belief in the judiciary as a pillar of democracy,” he said.