The President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina, has paid tribute to the late Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, describing him as a “man of the people with a good heart and empathy.”
The occasion held at the Jogor center, Ibadan to mark the 68th posthumous birthday of the late governor, was organised by friends of Aketi, which also featured the unveling of a book “The Essential Aketi”
Adeshina said, “Aketi was a bold man, forthright in his interventions and courageous in his convictions . He gave his all in whatever he sets out to do. He was uncompromising and inspiring at the same time. I always wondered about his heights.”
“It made him to always stand out as President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Aketi took it to greater heights. As Governor of Ondo State, he took Ondo State to greeter heights. As leader of the Southern Governor’s Forum, he was the irrepressible voice, he spoke truth to power to amplify the voice of the voiceless.He was a political giant who trod where others have feared to tred. A man of whom fear was afraid.”
He said though he left too soon, his good works and love for others remained behind to remind us of a man who once walked on earth and left a legacy for humanity.
Representing Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Fola Oyekunle, said Akeredolu left an indelible mark in the Southwest states and Nigeria as a whole, particularly in the areas of security and human development.
“His visionary leadership and administrative acumen transformed Ondo State and its impact resonated beyond the state borders,” Oyekunle said.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his deputy, Hon. Olayide Adelami, described Akeredolu as “a true patriot who sought justice for the weakest.” He said Akeredolu recorded landmark achievements in infrastructure, education, human capital development, and employment opportunities, as well as improvements in the state’s security architecture.
Aiyedatiwa noted that Akeredolu’s collaboration with other Southwest governors led to the establishment of the Southwest security network, codenamed “Amotekun,” which has remained a “monumental and indelible achievement.”
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Abiodun Oyebamiji, represented by his deputy, Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, described Akeredolu as a “special being, created specially and given to us at a time he was most needed in the annals of our country and, of course, the Southwest and Ondo State.”
He said Akeredolu “served and struggled to make life better for humanity” and was a “voice of the voiceless in the society.”
In the their seperate tributes, first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria,Chief Folake Solanke SAN, First Vice President of the NBA, Ikeazor Arakaiwe SAN, Dr Dr Titi Akinola, brother to the late Aketi, Wole Akeredolu , his sister- in- law , Hon justice Alero Akeredolu and her daughter, Teni Akeredolu among others, all rendered glowing tributes to the late Ondo State Governor.
