Eminent personalities from within and outside Nigeria, thronged the ancient city of Owo, in Owo local government area of Ondo state Friday, to bid farewell to the immediate past Governor of the state, late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
Akeredolu, popularly known as Aketi, died in a German hospital on December 26, 2023 during a protracted battle with prostate cancer.
As a result of this development, his Deputy, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa was subsequently sworn in on December 27, 2023 as the substantive Governor of the Sunshine State.
The 10-day burial activities lined up for the celebration and interment of the former governor climaxed today with the burial service held at The Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, Imola, Owo, Ondo state.
All major roads in the town were jam-packed with vehicles trooping in from different locations heading to the venue of the service.
The mood of the town was somber, in reflection of the passage of an illustrious son of Owo community and Ondo state in general.
Security and ushers of the church had a hectic time controlling the crowd that besieged the premises to pay their last respect to the second Owo son to climb the ladder of Governor in Ondo state, the first being late Pa Adekunle Ajasin who governed the old Ondo state between 1979 and 1983.
Dignitaries at the burial service include the Vice President, Kashim Shettima who represented President Bola Tinubu; all Southwest Governors, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo (Host); Seyi Makinde, Oyo; Biodun Oyebanji, Ekiti; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos; Ademola Adeleke, Osun; and Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Umar Ganduje.
Other governors in attendance were Godwin Obaseki, Sheriff Oborevwori, Hyacinth Alia, Duoye Diri and Chukwuma Soludo; Edo, Delta, Benue, Bayelsa and Anambra respectively.
Some former governors who graced the burial service include Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo; Abdulaziz Yari, Zamfara; Gbenga Daniel, Ogun; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun; and Niyi Adebayo, Ekiti.
Also present are the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio represented by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kayode Ariwoola, represented by Justice Helen Ogunwumiju; Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Akin Olujimi; Chief Judge of Ondo state, Justice Olusegun Odusola; judges from within and outside Ondo state, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana; many Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) and representatives of prominent traditional rulers.
Other dignitaries in attendance were the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most. Rev’d Jude Arogundade; Bishops from different parts of Nigeria; wife of the founder, Synagogue Church of All Nations, Evelyn Joshua; Akeredolu’s wife, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu; children of the deceased, political associates, professional bodies among others.
Meanwhile, the remains of the late former Governor has finally been committed to the mother earth this evening.
The interment came days after his burial rites kick-started in Ibadan, later to Akure and eventually Owo his hometown.
Akeredolu’s corpse was interred in Owo, on a piece of land close to his Maranatha residence at the Government Reserved Area, Owo.
The late Aketi was the Chancellor of St Andrew Anglican Church, Imola, Owo, a position he held till death.
