PHOTOS: Late Governor Akeredolu honoured in first-year remembrance
Family, friends, and dignitaries gathered in Owo on Friday to mark the one-year remembrance of the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
The event featured a church service, a book launch, and the commissioning of a mausoleum in his honour.
The remembrance activities, organized by his family, commenced with a service at St. Andrews Cathedral, Owo, where the Bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese, Rt. Reverend Ayodeji Fagbemi, extolled Akeredolu’s virtues. In his homily, the Bishop remarked, “If Akeredolu were alive, he would have spoken against the current state of hunger and hardship in the country.”
He further praised the late governor’s integrity, advocacy for justice, and push for equitable power distribution.
Prominent personalities at the event included Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami; former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi; Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Hellen Ogunwumiju; and the Chairman of the Ondo APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin. Members of the state legislature and executive council, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and close associates of the late governor were also present.
During the book launch, Dr. Wale Okediran, the author of Aketi: The Life and Times of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, recounted how the late governor envisioned the biography before his passing.
Reviewer Dr. Femi Adeosun highlighted Akeredolu’s courage, humility, and dedication to public service, calling the biography “a compelling account of a remarkable leader who excelled as a student leader, National Bar Association President, Attorney General, and two-term governor.”
Former Governor Fayemi also paid tribute to Akeredolu, describing him as a courageous leader who spoke truth to power.
“Aketi had courage in abundance. We shared a partnership built on mutual respect,” he said.
The late governor’s eldest son, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Jr., reflected on the emotional toll of the past year.
“It has been a long, tough year without Daddy. There’s a big hole and a lot of emptiness. I miss him deeply,” he shared.
The day concluded with the unveiling of a mausoleum at the burial site, commissioned by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire. A statue donated by the Ooni of Ife, represented at the event, was also unveiled in Akeredolu’s honour.
Royal fathers, dignitaries, and representatives from the late governor’s in-laws in Imo State joined the remembrance, underscoring the widespread admiration for Akeredolu’s legacy.
