CITIZENS COMPASS —The Yoruba Indigenes Foundation (YIF), on Friday, February 23, mourned the former Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu popularly known as Aketi.
The Foundation expressed this in the tributes signed by YIF President, Dr Olumide Aderibole in a statement.
It goes thus, “The former Chairman of the South-West Governors forum.
“Akeredolu was an iconic individual, his journey on the surface of the earth was an embodiment of positive impacts.
“Born into a Christian home, and did not hesitate to discipline himself, in conformity with the norms of any community, he found himself.
“Aketi made good use of his endowed features, for himself, his family, associates, Ondo State and Yoruba land.
He was not only known to be energetic, zealous and vibrant but was generally believed to be brave and endearing.
“Aketi’s death had left a vacuum, which will not be easy to be filled. He was a highly courageous and an outspoken politician, who was vast and voracious in the protection of the interest of Yoruba world. These had cumulatively positioned the people of Yoruba land in the rightful position.
“The late Governor lived a life worthy of emulation, particularly as he was at the forefront at the conceptual stage and the eventual establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
“Being a renowned lawyer, late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has a very high degree of passion for legal practice. This was replicated in his style of governance. In short his proper usage of his wealth of experience in the Legal Profession worked for him in Politics, for the upliftment of the people of Ondo State and the good people of Yoruba world at large.
“Apart from the fact that the late Aketi brought brilliance, creativity and dynamism into governance. His tenacious belief in Justice and Rule of Law was also germaine.
“For centuries, the annals of the good people of Ondo State will not forget you in a hurry, especially for your giant stride and your landmark achievements in: infrastructural development, health care improvement, education reform, agricultural development and youth empowerment.
“His early years were characterized with scientific depositions, which turned to scintillating ray of hope, endowed with a substantial quantum of energy, which empowered him to actualize the array of hopes, throughout his lifetime.
“Oluwarotimi, as his name depicts, the God almighty guided and supported him to scale through dangerous tracks, and after which ks, he always emerged victorious.
“Aketi was a listener, paying rapt attention to details.
“His wise words and warm smiles, used to precipitate into lasting impacts on the lives of millions of people.
“Today, as we flash back to the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s life. Do not capitalize on our loss, instead let us give thanks to God almighty and celebrate the life and times of Aketi.
“Akeredolu, your dwelling physically with us may have come to an end, but your sweet memory and legacies will not end in our mind.
“You came, you saw and you conquered.
Rest in peace late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.”
