Kinsmen of former Ondo State governor, late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Thursday, February 22, performed the traditional ‘Ajabue’ dance ahead of his interment on Friday, February 23.
The ancient town of Owo, the hometown of late Akeredolu, was on lockdown as hundreds of people joined in the Ajabue procession which started from the Ijebu-Owo residence of Akeredolu.
Personalities present at the event were former Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Raimi Aminu; members of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi and Hon. Morenike Witherspoon; former Special Assistant on Natural Resources, Fatai Olushina; former Commissioner for Hygiene and Water Resources, Hon. Fatai Olotu; NLC National Vice President and National President, Nigeria Civil Service Union, Comrade Sunday Oluwole Adeleye; as well as some Permanent Secretaries, among others.
Children and relatives of the former governor led the Ajabue procession.
A son of Akeredolu and former Director-General of the Ondo State Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU), Babajide Akeredolu, thanked the people of Owo for joining to support in celebration of his late father.
Engr. Akeredolu stated that the significant turnout and participation in the Ajabue dance demonstrated the love the people have for the family as a whole.
He said: “I want to sincerely appreciate the people of Owo for their tremendous support, for coming out in large numbers to connect with us, to accompany us, to dance with us, and to engage in all activities related to my late Dad.”
Meanwhile, the remains of the late Akeredolu were received in Owo by his kinsmen on Wednesday evening.
Sympathizers gathered at the Emure Junction to receive the remains of the late governor as a sign of honour and respect for their departed illustrious son.
As the convoy drove through the main streets of Owo, students from various secondary schools in the town, including Imade College and St. Louis Grammar School, stood at strategic locations, waving the Nigerian flag as a sign of respect for the late governor.
At Mobil Junction in Ijebu-Owo, representatives of the Palace of Oba Kofoworola Oladoyinbo Ojomo, the Olijebu of Ijebu-Owo, received the body of the late governor.
Many residents closed their shops to catch a glimpse of the casket carrying the remains of the late governor.
