The president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, has stated that the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu was a man, whose life thrived on simplicity, adding that his simplicity notwithstanding, his life was by no means the life of a simpleton and it is utterly impossible to abridge his eventful life into a tribute of a few pages.
He said Akeredolu was privileged by God to have done in a single lifetime what it would take about five average people to accomplish, adding that “like the proverbial Midas, everything he touched turned into gold. If an average person achieved only one of the multi-faceted things that Arakunrin accomplished, it would have been a lifetime achievement. But Arakunrin was not an ordinary human; he was what Yorubas would call ‘Okunrin Meta’ (a man who is more than three men). This is also a testament that Arakunrin fulfilled purpose.
Maikyau, who was speaking at the Valedictory Court Session held by the Oyo State judiciary at the High Court of Justice, Ring Road, Ibadan, said that “Valedictory Court sessions, irrespective of the circumstance, are sober and solemn moments that speak to the transience of the positions we are privileged to hold in life and the fleetingness of life itself. When it is about death, it comes with it an additional feeling of sadness for an irreparable loss.
“I had cause to say that though the ailment may be known as the cause of his death, if the ailment were to speak, it would have testified that it afflicted the wrong person. What it went through in the hands of Aketi must have left it in no doubt that it did not defeat Aketi; that Aketi transitioned because it was time for him to go after fulfilling purpose. This is why, while Aketi’s death may be counted as a great loss (and indeed it is), to the family, friends, the legal profession and the entire nation, we can focus on his legacies and challenge ourselves to live and sustain them as a way to honour, respect and immortalise him.
“In a culture that thrives on vain glorious titles and self-glorification, Akeredolu exemplified utmost humility by his rejection of chieftaincy titles and ‘His Excellency’ appellations which he was eminently qualified for. In a society where it is a taboo to fail to address a person by his titles – whether deserving or not, Akeredolu defied the norm; instead, he chose to simply identify himself as Arakunrin – a gentleman. Simply a gentleman and no more.
“Beyond courtroom advocacy, Aketi was a dyed-in-the-wool Bar man. From the time he was called to the Bar in 1978, he served the NBA in several capacities and at different levels. He variously served as Secretary and Vice Chairman of Ibadan Branch, National Publicity Secretary, member of the National Executive Committee (now Council) from 1985 until his demise and went on to become the 24th President of the NBA from 2008 to 2010—one of the most influential and courageous Presidents ever to lead the NBA. He fought for the Bar, he worked for the Bar, and he led the Bar creditably. What is even more notable about his emergence as President of the NBA was that he was elected unopposed—an unprecedented feat and yet-to-be-beaten record in the annals of NBA elections in Nigeria.
“One can only imagine what Akeredolu would have done or said on the brazen attempt at invading our legal space through the so-called Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP). But that God allowed Arakunrin Akeredolu to leave at this time is because He (God) has already raised others who will defend the Nigerian legal market and we shall do it.
“Leadership is not about power; it is about clear vision and unwavering responsibility. Akeredolu demonstrated the fact that leadership is not about the privileged minority but about service to the underprivileged majority. In all the leadership positions he occupied, he was professional, ethical, bold, courageous, brave, and principled. He was one leader that would never compromise his position or standard. More than just holding offices, Mr Akeredolu was a defender of the masses, a crusader for the citizens, an advocate for the helpless, and an activist for the hapless. As Attorney General of Ondo State under a military regime, he displayed uncommon courage and unusual steadfastness by ensuring that although he was serving under a military regime, the rights of citizens were not violated, abridged, or trampled upon by the government of the day.
“I have noted above that a tribute of this nature is not enough to chronicle the life and time of Arakunrin Akeredolu. I learnt that prior to his death; he had commissioned his biography to be written. That is vintage Aketi – the man with a vision, who saw the need to document his gigantic achievements which he always attributed to the grace of God. Aketi is gone but his legacies live on. His life is a lesson for all of us! We must begin or continue to interrogate ourselves on the life we are living and what legacies we are going to leave behind. It is noteworthy that Aketi’s life was not associated with profligacy.
“Let me also use this opportunity to publicly acknowledge and thank the Chairman of Ibadan Branch, Mrs Folashade Aladeniyi. Our grandma has told me so much about how she has been taking good care of her. It is my prayer that as you have honoured the aged, God will bless you and satisfy you with long life. Without a doubt, Arakunrin Akeredolu slept with Christ in his heart, as his Lord and Saviour.
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