• Residents of Owo grace the late Governor’s burial on Friday.
President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, February 23, led Nigerians to the ancient town of Owo, Ondo State on Friday, to pay last respect to former Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, as he made final the departure out of the world.
Akeredolu died on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, while receiving treatment in a German Hospital over a protracted illness at the age of 67. His remains were laid to rest at a burial site newly consecrated in Owo community.
President Tinubu described late Akeredolu as a “fearless soldier” and “unwavering advocate” for the people, also said the former governor was an “indomitable legacy of national service.”
Tinubu spoke in Owo, headquarters of Owo local government, at the funeral ceremony of Akeredolu held at the St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu hailed Akeredolu’s courage, dedication and unwavering stance.
He said there was no point in Akeredolu’s life where his voice shook in telling the truth.
“We are gathered here today to bid farewell to a remarkable soul.
“We are also reminded that in this transient journey through life, we are but whispers in the wind. The parts of us that endure after we get to the end of our journey are the choices we make, and this moment is the ultimate confirmation of the noble paths trodden by our dear brother.
“He was a vastly intelligent man whose passion has created quite a wide vacuum beyond this community. He recognised that the most pragmatic path to serving humanity is to present ourselves willingly to be chosen by the people,” he said.
President Tinubu also commended Akeredolu’s strength of character and conviction and urged the nation to cherish Akeredolu’s memory and the indomitable legacy he left behind.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said he would not forget the man that made him ‘Governor even in death.’
Aiyedatiwa stated that his former boss used the instrument of governance to intervene in different sectors of the state, including education, health services, and infrastructural development.
He said, “You are all here to pay your friend, our leader, and our governor last respect because of the relationship that he had with all of you at one time or another.
“You are all here because he stood for something: good governance and the rule of law. He means a lot to different people, and that is why he has been described in different words. He was a courageous leader, a fighter, and a warrior. How can we forget him so soon? It is not possible because he lives on.
“For me, I cannot forget him so soon because we share a lot together. How can I forget those political, physical, and dusty roads that we have travelled together since 2012?
“As his political associate, friend, and one-time Director-General of his campaign, Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency, as Deputy Governor nominee, Deputy Governor elected, and Acting Governor whenever he travelled, and now he has made me a governor even in death. How can I forget?”
In his homily, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Dr. Henry Ndukuba, told President Tinubu to urgently resolved hardship being faced by Nigerians.
Dr. Ndukuba said time was running fast for President Tinubu.
Ndukuba said Nigerians were yet to recover from the cashless policy of Emiefele when the current hardship began.
Represented by the Dean of the church of Nigeria, Reverend Blessing Enyindah, Ndukuba said, “May I on behalf of Nigerians pray and call on the President, Senator Bola Tinubu to do something to reduce the hardship faced by Nigerians.
“We have the hope he would do it because he promised us renewed hope and according to him, it is his turn, so the turn and opportunity have been given to him now. We are waiting and expecting the fulfilment of the renewed hope.
“We plead with him to do it fast because time, that is four or eight years as the case may be, is brief and the time is running.
“We have the hope the President will do something. He promised us Renewed Hope. We are waiting with hope. We pray he do it fast.”
The Owo Diocese of the Anglican Church immortalised the former Ondo Governor by naming the yet to be completed N300m Medical and Diagnostic Center after him.
It said ensuring completion of the project that was part of late Akeredolu’s dream was the only way to keep his memory alive.
Akeredolu’s widow, Betty, in her tribute, hit hard on the critics of her relationship with her late husband.
The former first lady said “It’s me, your adorable Betty. You just left me. Just like that! It hurts. Badly it hurts. Now alone to face all manners of mockery from the so-called friends and adversaries alike. Now alone. A beg o! Can an Amotekun generalissimo be a weakling? Mbanuu! It doesn’t add up nau. Haba!”
“Not a few lashed out that you (Akeredolu) were a weakling because you loved me. I don’t think so in their homes while growing up they saw their mothers trampled upon as doormats. By the way, do they know what love is?
“They copied the template and treated their wives as pieces of furniture that can be easily discarded as trash. In many instances, the subjugation was garnished with beatings while the community looked the other way and remained unperturbed by gender-based violence. Beaten up like punch bags.”
Dignitaries present included Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje led other members of the National Working Committee of the party, Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ekiti, Aboidun Oyebanji, Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Aboidun, Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Makinde, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun.
Others were former Ondo Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, wife of late Prophet Temitope Joshua, Pastor Evelyn Joshua amongst others.
