Tribute To Late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, By Yoruba Emancipation Union Worldwide

THE GIANT IROKO, HAS FALLEN…

It is with heavy heart we learnt the passing away of our dear brother, Aketi, Odunayo

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The giant Eagle flew away at dawn on Wednesday, 27th December

2023, after spending 67 fruitful years on this planet, Earth.

Aketi as he was popularly called, was born on 21st July 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.

A 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.

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, whereat

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 againstthe 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.

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. 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 5th June 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 youcame, 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…

E-Signed

Yoruba Emancipation Union Worldwide