By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Yoruba Emancipation Union Worldwide has joined in mourning the former governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who died Wednesday, December 27, 2023, aged 67.

A statement signed on behalf of the group by Prof. (Dr.) Ajayi, EFG and made available to News Express via email on Tuesday, recalled how Aketi, as he was popularly called, was born on July 21, 1956, to the illustrious Akeredolu Family in the ancient Yoruba city of Owo, Ondo State. His father was late Rev Ola Akeredolu and the mother, late Evangelist Grace Akeredolu.

Doing a recap of Akeredolu’s lfe, the statement said: “The former National President of Bar Association, NBA, very promising child, Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu attended Government Primary School for his foundational education, where he excelled. He thereafter attended the famous Acquinas College Akure, Loyola College, Ibadan and Comprehensive College Aiyetoro for his Secondary and Higher School Certificate, respectively.”

The group stated that his love for education gathered momentum when he got admission to study law at the prestigious citadel of learning, University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where at he completed his LLB Degree in 1977 and was called into the Nigeria Bar, in 1978.

“A very brilliant and courageous Lawyer, he was a Partner at Olujimi and Akeredolu Law Firm, which he co-founded. A very hard-working and outspoken Barrister and Solicitor, he became the Attorney General of Ondo State in 1999; Chairman, Legal Aid Council, 2005 to 2006. A nationalist, Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu became the President, Nigeria Bar Association.

“He contested for and became the Governor of Ondo State, and he was sworn in February 2017. He was the Chairman, South West Governors, a position he held with much charisma and pragmatism. His second term of four (4) years in office as Governor, started in February 2021, which unfortunately, death did not allow him to complete.

“Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Aketi as he was fondly called by his many admirers, shall definitely be remembered for his many positive contributions.

“He fought gallantly for the rule of law and the restructuring of Nigeria, where each part of the federating units should optimize their benefits, resources and contribute positively for the realization of the goals and objectives, and the overall development of the Nigeria nation.

“A strong Apostle and believer in the sanctity and protection of human lives, and fundamental human rights and liberty. He fought for the protection of lives and property especially against the feudal and dark forces who planned to overrun Yorubaland. His gallantry and unrelenting thirst for human liberty and freedom, led to the formation of ‘Amotekun’, a State Government security outfit established to curb the excesses, the inordinate and overbearing position of the darkest era in the history of Nigeria under Commander of Terrorists Buhari, for which he was virulently attacked and vilified by the Fulani oligarchy, antagonists and their apologists.

“Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Aketi shall forever be remembered for standing by Yoruba people during the forlorn era of Buhari, who had the chimerical hope of taking over Yoruba land by force; this the repressive and hopeless government of Buhari did, by forming several terrorists cells in all the forests of Yoruba land, and armed his Fulani tribesmen with sophisticated weapons to grab the peoples land, rape the women, use cows to destroy farms and generally maim and kill anyone, who dare resist or oppose the Fulani Government of Nigeria (FGN), under Muhammed Buhari’s tyrannical regime,” the statement said.

It noted that “while other Yoruba Governors looked the other way, Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Aketi as Governor of Ondo State, stood his ground and aligned with the people; he did not look elsewhere, but he looked straight into the wicked eyes of Buhari, and fought him diplomatically and legally, to maintain the Yoruba heritage.”

Eulogising the late Akeredolu, Yoruba Emancipation Union Worldwide said: “Aketi, your names have entered the book of remembrance, and we wish to emphatically state that your deeds, as at the time we needed you, has been etched in our memories for ever, neither sun nor rain, would obliterate your exemplary and selfless rendition of protective services, to the people.

“We cannot forget the St. Francis Xavier Catholic incident, now known as the ‘Owo church massacre’ on 5^thJune 2022, whereat over 60 defenceless Christian worshippers were mercilessly and brutally murdered in cold blood. We all knew why Owo was selected by the agents of death, destructions, repression, holocaust, land grabbing, rape, bad government, kidnapping and domination against which Aketi Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu fiercely and courageously stood against.

“We knew it was carried out in your ancient Owo home town, not only to intimidate but to also cow you down, the indomitable spirit in Aketi however, would not allow such. We salute your courage, and give kudos to your bubbling spiritual disposition.

“You showered love and affection; radiated human dignity and positive affectedness to mankind, especially to your race (Yoruba), your home place, Owo, Ondo state and indeed, Nigeria. The roads, the schools, the health facilities and the industries you laboured to establish, are of immense benefits to the people, with these landmarks, you shall be remembered for ever. Your names, has been gold plated on marble cast.

“A detribalised ‘Omoluabi’, a Yoruba man to the core. You were so nice, so forthright, so affable to the extent of extending your goodness to an Igbo lady from Imo, Betty Anyanwu who gave you great children. A wonderful family man. Your roles in the extended Akeredolu family are well noted and history has recorded them in your favour. You carried the family like fresh eggs.

“You touched positively the lives of many, whose paths crossed yours. In the church you attended, we remember how you sang confidently and poetically. You even cracked a very prophetic but highly sensitive jokes about the ‘vanity’ of wealth accumulation and its ephemerality.

“Above all, you said ‘ki la fe se?’ (“What can mortals do to turn the tide of things?) You understood perfectly, the supreme Authority of Almighty God, in all things.

“In the words of the Bible in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, ‘There is time for everything – a time to be born, a time to live and a time to go.’ Although we are all shocked and grieved, but you came, you saw and a great warrior, you conquered. You bestride our Ondo State, the Yoruba race and indeed Nigeria landscape, like a colossus.

“A giant Ìrókò has fallen at the ancient Yoruba city of Owo in Ondo state.

“Our dear patriot Aketi is gone.

“May Almighty God protect, strengthen, and uphold all his loved ones and the patriots who truly love our beloved Aketi..

“Our condolences to his wife, the children the great Akeredolu family. We cannot but share in the grief with his Royal Highness, the Olowo of Owo, the good and peaceful people of Owo. Our condolences go to the good and very kind people of Ondo state. E ku ara fera ku. “We condole with the entire Yoruba race both at home, and in diaspora.

“Good night Aketi, till we meet, and part no more.”