•••as Ondo judiciary holds special court session for late governor
Oyo State governor, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde has described the late Former governor of Ondo Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu as a quintessential personality who has not only excelled in the legal profession but in all other spheres of life.
He stated this while speaking with newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State capital shortly after a special court session organised by the Ondo State judiciary in honour of the late governor at the State High Court, Hospital road, Akure, the Capital City of Ondo State.
Governor Makinde who was ably represented at the occasion by the state deputy governor Barrister Adebayo Lawal said the Ondo State governor was a foremost personality in the area of human rights activism in Nigeria and as a governor of Ondo State and by extension as the Chairman, Southern Governors Forum.
“He was a an embodiment of humility, aggressive fighter for human rights and a nice person.”
He urged Nigerians to take a cue from thel exemplary personalty of Akeredolu saying that by doing so, Nigeria will be better for it.
“For instance, of somebody fought and struggled for human rights freedom in Nigeria, it meant that even if we can take part of that, Nigeria will be better for it and the catalog of achievements rolled out here during the court session show that he was a person who cares for his people.”
Earlier,the Ondo State governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa in his remarks at the occasion, described Akeredolu as a man of letters, learning, finesse and culture.”
“It is true that all men are mortals but some achieved immortality by those with extraordinary deeds they do during their lifetime.”
“It is also true that all men are born equal but some strain higher by their nurture, brilliance, industry and erudition, disdain for half measures and hypocrisy, backstabbing, sycophancy and mediocrity”. He said.
He said the late governor has greatly influenced the progress of the state with fairness and equity, adding that seven year legacies of the late governor will be upheld.
In his tribute, the chief judge of Ondo State, Hon. Justice Aiyedun Odusola described late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as a courageous fighter, who faced the serious security challenges in the State with such ingenious courage that his approach has become a national model just as he said his demise was a huge loss to the state judiciary.
According to Hon. Justice Oduola,Akeredolu was amazingly down to earth and this great asset is also his major weakness in a society where sycophancy is the order of the day. Whatever he promised to do, he would fight to accomplish.
“He had a desire to build an ultra-modern facility for the High Court (and had started the journey), but could not to do so partly because of his ill-health but largely because the individual who stood as the eye of the Executives in the of the judiciary could not interpret that dream. Expectedly, our new Governor, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has reiterated his promise to bring Arakunrin’s dream to reality.
“It is a delight, to note that Arakunrin never interfered with judicial activities even when it did not favour his desires. He would always tell us “Milord, deliver your judgment in your true conscience, if I am not satisfied I will appeal”. That is the man we are all gathered here to bid farewell on his last journey. I am paying tribute to a man who understood the principles of separation of powers and lived it, not only in words, but in action.”
“In my last encounter with him, at a time when his health was obviously failing, Arakunrin still reiterated his desire to construct a judiciary complex that will be the envy of other states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He also spoke about Judges’ welfare and I wondered how a man in such a condition could still love the judiciary so much as to remember the little promises he made.”
“I therefore pay homage to an outstanding legal icon and a political colossus. A man who was an exemplar of indefatigable courage, principled resistance with honesty and self-respect. In the annals of Ondo State leadership, Arakunrin’s tenure will continue to be a good reference point. He left us with the fondest among which is his famous song praise: “Awa ta jewo re ni gbangba.”
“I commiserate with the entire Akeredolu family, especially his wife and confidant, Arabirin Betty and the children. My heart goes to the entire law community in Nigeria and the people of Ondo State. I commiserate with His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the official chief mourner who has lost his boss and confidant.”
In a tribute on behalf of the Senior Advocates Of Nigeria, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN) said the entire body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria lawyers have lost one of the most consequential patronages in the legal profession, Nigeria and in the commonwealth of nations.
Oke said “the passing of governor Rotimi Akeredolu is comparable to the removal of a big Iroko tree from a treasured forest.
He described the late governor as a cerebral mind with indomitable residence for human emancipation and has made deliberate contributions to improve the legal profession through seeping reforms.
He said his entrance into the Nigerian political space was not destructive but reformative as he brought to bear uncommon honesty of purpose, courage, innovative vision and sacrificial truthfulness.
Oke said Akeredolu did not only defended his people against marauders, but also emboldened them and generated national discourses pointed to the direction of a new constitutional order that would enhance a better Nigeria.
The former governorship aspirant noted that Akeredolu’s clamour for true federalism and State Police has paid of with the recent unanimity between president Bola Tinubu and the state governors on the issue.
In a contribution, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of justice, Olufunmilayo Adejumo described Akeredolu as a brave warrior who ensured dividend for all irrespective of status, religion, exposure.
The Permanent Secretary added that the late governor paid six out of seven months salary arrears by past administration within a year, with progressive impacts on every sector of the state ranging from health, education, security, economy and others.
A lying- in -state ceremony was earlier held at the Governor’s Office of the state Secretariat where workers trouped out en masse to pay their last respect and bid their late governor farewell.
Dignitaries at the court session include; Oyo legal delegates,Justices Akintola, Ishola, Former Attorney General of the Federation and NBA President, Chief Akin Olujimi,SAN, Justices F.S Akinminu, Kwara State Governor, Abdulrazak Abdulrahman, deputy Governor of Sokoto State, President of Nigeria Bar Association, APC members, among others