NBA pays tribute
A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN has expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Ondo State following the sudden and tragic demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
He described the late governor as a very brave, courageous and forthright statesman whose legacies would live after him for a very long time to come.
He said Akeredolu was a great Nigerian, an unimpeachable patriot, a sound legal mind, and a quintessential legal luminary of global reputation, whose death would marked the end of an eventful career of an exceptional Nigerian, whose love for country was exceptional.
He said ” I was saddened with the news of the passing on of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (Aketi) as we fondly called him. He was a great statesman whose legacies will live after him for a very long time to come. He was always very brave, courageous and forthright in all his dealings.
“He affected the lives of the citizens of Ondo State and his friends alike positively. Above all, he was a consummate and quintessential lawyer and Bar man through and through. He will be sorely missed. I commiserate with his wife, children and family members. May his soul rest in peace”.
“I feel a deep sense of loss on hearing the news of the demise of our former NBA President, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN. A great Nigerian, an unimpeachable patriot, a sound legal mind, and a quintessential legal luminary of global reputation. His death, no doubt, marked the end of an eventful career of an exceptional Nigerian, whose love for country was total, he added.
Below is NBA’s tribute signed by its president, Yakubu Chinoko Maikyau SAN
A TRIBUTE TO HIS EXCELLENCY, ARAKUNRIN OLUWAROTIMI ODUNAYO AKEREDOLU, CON, SAN, BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, MR YAKUBU CHONOKO MAIKYAU, OON, SAN,
It is with a heavy heart that I pay tribute to His Excellency, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, CON, SAN (Aketi), the Executive Governor of Ondo State and Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), whose transition took place on 27 December 2023 after a protracted ill-health.
His Excellency was called to the Bar in 1978 and had served the NBA in several capacities. He variously served as Secretary and Vice Chair of Ibadan Branch and went on to become the 24th President of the Association from 2008 to 2010 one of the most influential and courageous Presidents ever to lead the NBA. The late learned Senior Advocate also served the nation in various other capacities at different times, one of which was as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice from 1997 to 1999 and later as two-term Governor from 2017 till his demise.
Aketi, as he was popularly called, was in our lexicon a true Bar man who firmly believed in the ability of the legal profession to make a difference in our society. It was this belief that led him into politics resulting in being elected twice has the Governor of Ondo State. Aketi will mostly be remembered for his forthrightness and down-to-earth perspectives especially on matters of national importance.
He will be positively remembered for his several contributions to the growth and development of Ondo State and the entire region. As Governor, Aketi was at the forefront of the establishment of the regional security network, Amotekun, to address security concerns in the western region. So far, the network has been effective in stemming the tide of terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, etc., within the region and currently stands as a model for other regions to emulate. For his contributions to the progress of Nigeria, he was recognized by the Federal Government and conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in October 2022. There is no denying that the learned Senior Advocate left indelible footprints in the sands of time.
I commiserate with the entire Akeredolu clan, particularly his wife, Betty, and children, on this very painful loss. I also extend my condolences to the Ondo State Executive Committee and the entire people of Ondo State. Aketi’s departure is our collective loss. My prayer is that God Almighty will comfort the hearts of all members of his family, his colleagues, and friends. May the peace of God which is beyond human understanding, protect our hearts and minds through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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