Sanwo-Olu, Adeleke mourn Akeredolu
By Emma Ogbuehi
Two governors from the South-West region on Wednesday mourned the death of Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Akeredolu died in Germany on Wednesday, December 27, at the age of 67.
His death, a personal loss – Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who mourned the passing of Akeredolu on Wednesday, described his death as a colossal loss to the country and Ondo State in particular.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Akeredolu would be greatly missed for his positive impacts in Ondo State, South-West and Nigeria as a whole.
He also commiserated with the Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Akeredolu’s widow, Dr. Betty Akeredolu, and the entire family and friends of the deceased.
The Governor also sympathised with the entire people of Ondo State, especially the indigenes of Owo, on the demise of their illustrious son, praying that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Sanwo-Olu, in the statement, described the death of Akeredolu as a colossal loss to the country, adding that, while alive, the deceased made lots of positive contributions to the growth and development of Ondo State and Nigeria, especially in the judiciary and governance.
He said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and associates of the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over the death of the Ondo State Governor.
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“I also commiserate with all my brother governors over the death of one of us. I sympathise with the entire people of Ondo State, particularly Owo sons and daughters at home and abroad.
“The death of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is a colossal loss to the country, particularly the people of Ondo State. He made lots of impactful contributions during his lifetime to the growth and development of Nigeria, first as a lawyer and later as a two-term governor.
“Arakunrin Akeredolu was a courageous leader. He served the people of Ondo State passionately during his tenure as Governor of the State.
“I pray that God will grant Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu eternal rest and give his immediate family, friends, associates, and the people of Ondo State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Akeredolu was one of the finest minds in the country’s legal profession – Adeleke
On his part, Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, said he was deeply troubled by the news of Akeredolu’s death, describing it as a huge national loss.
A statement by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, his spokesperson, said Adeleke is deeply touched by the demise of Akeredolu, who he said made great contributions to Nigeria in the legal field and public service.
“Arakunrin Akeredolu was one of the finest minds in the country’s legal profession, and as a colleague in the Governor’s Forum, his wise counsel and constructive contributions is hard to miss. Nigeria lost one of its finest, and I’m hugely shaken,” the Governor said.
The Governor condoled with Aiyedatiwa, the family of the deceased, the Government and the people of Ondo State over the painful loss, urging them to keep his memory alive by sustaining his legacy of good deeds and impacts.
“In this moment of grief and pain, I offer my deepest sympathy to everyone touched by Arakunrin Akeredolu’s demise and pray to God to grant him eternal rest while hoping for his immediate family, the government and people of Ondo State that he left behind finds comfort in the life full of accomplishments that he lived.”