The death of Ondo Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has continued to elicit reactions from eminent Nigerians across the country.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said the death of Akeredolu is a colossal loss to the country, the legal world and civil society organisations.
“His days as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) brought immense growth to the bar,” the AGF said and added that the late governor will be sorely missed by the NBA, Body of Benchers, Body of Senior Advocates, Nigeria Governors Forum and Southern Governors Forum.
Oyo governor, Seyi Makinde, in a condolence message through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sulaimon Olarenwaju, said Akeredolu’s doggedness could be seen in fight for the establishment of the South-West Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun.
He described the death of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) as a sad loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria.
“I have also lost a worthy co-fighter for the South-West cause because we were both at the vanguard of the struggle, which birthed the South-West Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun.
“Aketi’s fervent and unrelenting stance on issues that border on South-West’s regional integration and progress is a lesson for leaders. He will be sorely missed.
“Rest well, my dear brother and may the good Lord be with everyone you left behind,” he said.
The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya lauded Akeredolu’s influential roles in various spheres, and his legacies as a lawyer, former Attorney General, NBA President as well as his leadership roles in regional organisations including serving as chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and the Southern Governors’ Forum, respectively.
“We mourn the loss of our dear brother and friend, Governor Akeredolu. This is indeed an national loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Her Excellency, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the entire immediate family members, the Owo community, and the people of Ondo State over this monumental loss,” he said.
In his part, Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land,
Iba Gani Adams said Akeredolu’s voice remained louder even as he battled his protracted sickness, pointing out that he gave the necessary support to the Ondo State Amotekun, the South Western Security Network and was very well known for taking bold step on any initiative that could advance the cause of the South West region.
He, however, stated that the late governor fought a good battle with a sickness that had taken a huge toll on his his health for a very long time now, and further described the death as a very personal loss to him, “first as a native of the state and second as the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land.”
“I received the news of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s death with shock. It came at a time when we all hope for his return from Germany, where he had since been receiving treatment for the sickness that had taken him away from the public for a very long time now.
“The late Arakunrin Akeredolu was my governor. He was the governor of Ondo State and the loss was also very personal to me, first as a native of the state and second as the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land.
“The late Governor Akeredolu was a voice that remained louder even as he battled his protracted sickness. He gave the necessary support to the Ondo State Amotekun, the South Western Security Network and he was very well known for taking bold step on any initiative that could advance the cause of the South West region,” the Yoruba generalissimo said.
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