By Yetunde Ogunmola
It was a day of tributes, eulogies and commendations for the late Ondo governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo state as people from all walks of life converged on hall of grace at the popular Joho centre for service of Songs and evening of tributes.
The atmosphere at the venue of the two in one event was solemn, while the hall, decorated in white was filled with dignitaries from all walks of life who came to honour the memory of the iconic, Akeredolu.
The service of Songs which featured Hymn Singing, Bible Passages and testimonies had in attendance clergy men, choristers, families, friends and political associates.
In a sermon titled “Living everyday as it were the last” the Minister, All Saints’ Church, Jericho, Ibadan, the Venerable Solomon Jolayemi emphasised that every human being would taste death, hence the need for everyone to take the issue of their eternity seriously by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
The Venerable Jolayemi described Late Arakunrin Akeredolu as one who publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ and displayed great love for humanity saying such virtues were worthy of emulation.
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi in his testimony at the service, said he had lost a brother, confidant and great ally who was an irrepressible defender of the defenceless.
At the Evening of Tributes which held immediately after the Service of Songs, it was accolades and tributes galore for the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Among those who gave tributes on the exemplary life of the late Ondo Governor were his staff of many years, family members and childhood friends.
They were unanimous in their praise of a man whom they described as fearless, purposeful, God fearing and humane.
At the programme were Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Speaker Ondo State House of Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, wives of Governors of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Edo and Bayelsa among other dignitaries.
Earlier, a special valedictory court session was held in honour of the late Akeredolu in Oyo state with the Chief
Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola in attendance.
Akeredolu spent most part of his law practice in the Oyo state judiciary and rose to become SAN and the National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and later served as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in Ondo State.
The High Court session which took place at Justice Complex, Ring Road, Ibadan also had deluge of commentaries from dignitaries from various states of the federation, taking turns to pay tributes to the man fondly called Aketi in the legal circle as a religious and courageous fighter who was never afraid of speaking the truth even when battling a life-threatening ailment.
The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima in her address said she was grateful that the Oyo judiciary and legal community could pay their last respects to late Governor Akeredolu in an exquisite setting due to his relationship with Oyo State and Ibadan in particular, adding that she is certain that the spirit of “Aketi” is alive and jubilant at the restoration of the Oyo State Judiciary.”
Credit: The Folder
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