TRIBUTE TO A FEARLESS LEADER AND A LEGAL GIANT
” You can’t truly heal from a loss until you allow yourself to really feel the loss” – (Mandy Hale)
The sad news of the demise of the most beloved Executive Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON, of our dear Ondo State, on 27 December 2023, hit me like a thunderbolt. It was indeed an anti-climax!
Despite the known fact that Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON, had been facing some health challenges, I remained prayerful and highly optimistic that he was going to survive it; and it never crossed my mind for once that we were going to lose him to the cold hands of death!!
With Governor Akeredolu’s demise, Nigeria in general and the good people of Ondo State in particular, have lost a leader par excellence, a dogged fighter for justice, a principled politician, renowned legal luminary, and a thorough bred gentleman, who in the absence of a State Police, founded “Amotekun” for Ondo State, and indeed Yoruba race, when our security was seriously challenged, by anti-social forces.
I dare say that his demise has created a big vacuum. We can only draw strength, hope, and solace from the assurance that God Almighty will send a “Comforter” our way in Ondo State which is endowed with visionary leaders of note and global accolades.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s friendly disposition to all and sundry, unique leadership style, and landmark achievements as Ondo State Executive Governor remain unparalleled in the history of our State; and only posterity can best lead to a full appreciation of his indelible footprints on the sands of time.
I recall with nostalgia, his very humble mien and pragmatic posture during my interaction with him when he officially commissioned AWAWA RADIO 94.1 FM, as part of the activities marking my 80th Birthday, on 27 December 2020; coincidentally the same date, three years before he passed on.
It is therefore with profound sense of personal loss that I commiserate with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the loss of an outstanding Governor and political associate. I also commiserate with the Government of Ondo State, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Akeredolu family of Owo kingdom, the Nigeria Bar Association, and the well-meaning people of Ondo State, over Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s demise, at the age of 67 years.
Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu lived a purpose driven life. He came, he saw, and he conquered! And the best tribute we the good people of Ondo State can pay to him, is to preserve his developmental legacies, and sustain peaceful co-existence with one another, which was the hallmark of his life and service. According to Sufi, “when the heart grieves over what it has lost, the spirit rejoices over what it has left”.
From the depth of my heart, I pray that Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu’s gentle soul will find rest in the bosom of our Lord, and I also pray that the Almighty God will comfort the family and grant our state the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss!!
PRINCE DR (GEN) OLU BAJOWA, OFR
(Jagunmolu of Ikale Land)
&
(Ojagbulegun from The Source)
