The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has paid tribute to the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu during the lying-in-state organized today in Ondo State, Nigeria
On Wednesday, while Aiyedatiwa was speaking at the Commendation Service held at the Ondo State Sports Stadium in Akure, he said, “Akeredolu served the state and the country meritoriously and left indelible marks in the sand of time.”
The officials of the state government received the remains of the former governor, who was led by the Ondo State Governor, Aiyedatiwa, at the Governor’s Office in Akure, with over hundreds of workers visiting in the quest to pay their last respect.
According to the Prees release of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, Prince Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa was reported to have clearly eulogized the legacy of the late Governor thus:
“Aketi, you came, you served, and you left great marks in the sand of time. And as we gather here today to pay our respect to the gone leader, I ask you to look at the remains of the man who asked not what Ondo State can do for him but what he could do for Ondo State.
“Ondo State, look ahead of you; there lie the remains of our father, our leader and pathfinder, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, a true patriot of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Here lie the remains of our governor, who led us from the front and took us across many rivers until he crossed the last river from where he could not return.
“Here lie the remains of a fighter, an all-time general who fought and won for justice, liberty, prosperity, the rule of law, human rights, good governance, and most importantly, character and courage. Here lies Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the main issue of conscience in the dark days of trouble for the nation.
“Here lies the man who was the perfect representation of the true spirit of our state and its people. He was brilliant, bold, strong, and unwavering in his convictions. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, you were a true commander—visionary in thinking, focused in execution, and dedicated in sustenance. You were a true patriot. You were loyal to friendship, shared beliefs, and justice for the weakest.
“As the statement continued, he raised his voice high to the roof to speak truth to power. He condemned inequality, complacency, divisiveness, and double standards. He asked for the supremacy of the rule of law. He asked for fairness, love, and true nationalism. He faced the troubling issues of the times with the candor of a statesman.
“He not only condemned indolence of thought; he proffered solutions that guaranteed peace. He not only talked, he walked his talk. He advocated for new thinking, new action, and a new direction. He took these risks against bigger powers whose might is determinate and final. He took a great risk at the peak of his reelection attempt.
“To the Akeredolu family, we thank you for giving us the great gift of Aketi eternal. To Owo, thank you for giving us a man of honor and culture. To the legal profession, thank you for nurturing and producing a mind of learning and culture.
“Our particular condolences go to his wife, our dear mother, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the children—Rotimi Jr., Teni, Yejide, and Babajide—as well as Oga’s brothers and sisters. We feel your grief and loss. But thank you, still. Thank you for giving Ondo State and Nigeria your best.
“Thank you for offering him an ordinary man who did extraordinary things in our lives. Thank you for providing the warmth, love, and confidence that helped him even in the great battle against sickness and death.
“On behalf of the Ondo State Government, which he led heroically till the end and which I now have the privilege to lead, still carrying his flag, I thank Governor Akeredolu for spearheading a new Ondo State.” the statement reads.
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The attendees were: the Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq; the Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri; the former Ondo state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; the deputy governors of Ekiti and Sokoto states; the Minister of State for Youths, Mr. Ayo Olawande; and the family members of the late governor, led by his wife, Betty Akeredolu.
