The new governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday December 28, paid a condolence visit to the family of his former boss, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, in Ibadan where he assured that the legacies of the late governor will not be eroded.
The governor was at the Jericho, Ibadan residence of Akeredolu’s in company of members of the State Executive Council and House of Assembly members.
It is the first official visit of the governor outside the state.
Addressing newsmen at the residence, the governor described the late Akeredolu as a courageous leader who stood firm and never took the interest of his people for granted.
Speaking, he said the late Akeredolu would never be forgotten because his legacies and impact could be seen and felt across the state and the country.
The governor described his late principal as a sincere, courageous, selfless and patriotic leader who fought for his people, championed development and touched many lives.
Aiyedatiwa in an emotional tribute, also described the former governor as a caring and compassionate husband, father and grandfather, adding that it was a rare privilege to have served under his tutelage.
He reiterated that the demise of his late boss was a great loss to Ondo state, the South-West region and Nigeria at large, stressing that Akeredolu’s struggle for a peaceful, fair and just society was one that could never be forgotten in a hurry.
The governor noted that the legacies of 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.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said: “We are here as a government under my leadership as the governor of Ondo State on behalf of the people of Ondo State to pay a condolence visit to the immediate and extended family of our former governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, who passed on yesterday. We are here in his private home here in Ibadan.
“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 left behind.
“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.
“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 loss. 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 k own for, so that we can keep on with the legacies that he has left behind.”
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.
