Ondo State New Governor Visits The Late Akeredolu’s Family

The newly sworn-in Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has paid a condolence visit to the family of the former Governor of the state, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, in Ibadan, where he assured that the legacies of the late governor would not be eroded.

The governor, in his first official visit outside the state, was at Akeredolu’s Jericho, Ibadan, residence in company of the members of the State Executive Council and House of Assembly.

Aiyedatiwa described the late Akeredolu as a courageous leader who stood firm and never took the interest of his people for granted, noting that the late Akeredolu would never be forgotten because his legacies and impacts could be seen and felt across the state and the country.

“We have to do this because he has always been our leader, a courageous one for that matter, one who has governed Ondo State in the last six and half to seven years, with great courage and with some many legacies he has left behind,” he said.

In an emotional tribute, the governor described the former governor as a caring and compassionate husband, father and grandfather, a sincere, courageous, selfless and patriotic leader who fought for his people, championed development and touched many lives, saying it was a rare privilege to have served under his tutelage.

He reiterated that the demise of his late boss is a great loss to Ondo State, the Southwest region and Nigeria at large, stressing that Akeredolu’s struggle for a peaceful, fair and just society is one that could never be forgotten in a hurry.

“He is an exemplary leader, a courageous one, a leader that believes in fairness, equity and justice. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria who speaks on national issues so that adjustments and proper decisions can be made concerning any issue in Nigeria. So he’s known for that, as an activist,” the Goveenor said.

Ayedatiwa noted that the legacies of the late Akeredolu would continue to reverberate in his invaluable contributions to the socio-economic and infrastructural development of Ondo State, the growth of the Anglican Church and the reforms in the legal profession in Nigeria.

He emphasized that Akeredolu completed and fulfilled his mission on earth and was blessed with wonderful children that could sustain his good name.

“Today, he’s no more and we have to pay him that respect by coming to the family to condole and commisserate with them and we have done that. We pray that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost. And for those of us that he has left behind, to be able to emulate some of the values, the sterling qualities that he is known for so that we can keep on with the legacies that he has left behind,” Aiyedatiwa lamented.

Responding on behalf of the Akeredolu family, the younger brother of the deceased, Pastor Kola Akeredolu, thanked the delegation led by Governor Aiyedatiwa for the thoughtful visit.

Prayers were offered for the Akeredolu family, while Governor Aiyedatiwa led others to the signing of the condolence register.

Confidence Okwuchi