Ayedatiwa, Fayemi, Otudeko, Others Celebrate Akeredolu in Ibadan
Prominent Nigerians including the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa; his deputy Dr. Olaide Adelani; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Adenike Adeyemo and former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday, celebrated the deceased former governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, as part of activities marking his final rite of passage.
Other dignitaries at the event held in Ibadan, Oyo State, were the former Minister of State for Transport, Ademola Adegoroye; Mr. Oba Otudeko; former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; retired AIG Tunji Alapinni, and former Minister of Science and Technology, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, among others.
The widow, Betty Akeredolu and her children were also in attendance in the Church, to appreciate the dignitaries, including the Old Boys of the Loyola College, who sang the school's anthem in honour of their departed colleague, just as Emeritus Professor Ayodele Falase (former UI VC), the Church's Organist, injected mellifluous tones to the hymns sung.
However, the Bishop, Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, Rt. Revd. Williams Aladekugbe, yesterday, called on the federal government and the security agencies in the country to redouble their efforts in ridding the country of myriads of socio-economic and security hardships ravaging the people.
The clergy made the call in his exhortation at the All Saints Church, Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, during the commendation service organised in honour of Akeredolu, who died on 26th December, 2023, in a German hospital, at the age of 68 years old.
Aladekugbe while drawing from the Book of John 11: 25 with the theme: "The Blessings of Death", lauded Akeredolu for being a very courageous man, "who impacted meaningfully in the lives of his people. He was enthusiastic in giving birth to Amotekun such that in Ondo State, you could not see my cow wandering about.
"This, we still see in Abuja up till today. He was a courageous and pragmatic leader and we bid him farewell today," he said.
In his message to the federal government regarding protests by the masses over hunger and economic hardship being experienced, the Bishop said, "We sincerely appeal to all tiers of government to urgently intervene in the skyrocketing prices of foodstuff and other items in our dear country.
“There is no point hiding the fact that Nigerians are frustrated. Nigerians are hungry, and Nigerians are angry. The hardship, the insecurity, the poverty and unemployment in the country are what are going on and nobody can pacify anybody.
"What Nigerians are experiencing are not what the president promised us. The president told us that we should put our minds at rest; that prices of things will come down. Unfortunately, nine months into the government, everybody is in pains. We have been moving from one problem to the other since May 29, 2023.”