Family celebrates Akeredolu’s legacies one year after demise

A year after the demise of the former Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his family on Friday converged on Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Council Area of the state to honour and celebrate the legacies of their patriarch.

Following a long, protracted illness, Akeredolu gave up the ghost in Germany on December 26, 2023.

While 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 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 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.

“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,” he said.

“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, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, described his erstwhile boss as a courageous leader and advocate of good governance.

The governor, who states 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.”

Meanwhile, in his tributes to the late former governor, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, emphasised that Aketi wasn’t afraid to speak truth to power at all times. At our meetings at the level of the Governor’s 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 are not going well, he is unfazed.”

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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. It is just that 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, a biography titled ‘The Life and Times of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,’ written by Dr. Wale Okediran and forwarded by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, was launched at the event, which had in attendance the former Secretary to the State Government, Oladunni Odu; Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire; APC Chairman in the state, Ade Adetimehin; among others.