Owo is One Association, the leading development and advocacy group of the people of Owo and Ose Local Government Areas of Ondo State has expressed shock at the sudden death of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON, the Executive Governor of Ondo State.
The association, in a statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator, Chief Akin Aruwajoye (Ogbeni Oja of Owo) and the Publication Director, Olatunbosun Oladimeji, said the Owo is One Association “had hoped and prayed that he (Akeredolu) would survive the ailment but who are we to question the will of God. The entire Owo people at home and in the diaspora are devastated and saddened by this great loss and we shall mourn him for a long time as he was a star in our firmament.
“Akeredolu was a man of character and destiny. He was professionally accomplished, rising to the peak of his chosen career as a lawyer – becoming a SAN, a life Bencher as well as the president of his professional body the NBA.
“He equally had a brilliant career in politics where he served his people meritoriously at various levels – as a Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Ondo State and later contested and won the position of Governor of the State.
“As governor, he was loved by the people of Ondo State as amply demonstrated by the prayers and public show of love and support during his illness. He served his people with dedication and commitment and recorded many landmark achievements. Amongst which are the championing of the cause of securing the people of southwest region with the creation of Western Nigeria Security Network which we all know as Amotekun.
“He was articulate, fearless and courageous. He would not shy away from defending the interests of his people in any national discuss. He was a great man leaving a trail of enviable legacies.
“He was an outstanding Owo man who loved the dialect, the culture and the people. He was a good testimony of what we are in Owo Kingdom. He was a passionate and caring human being, and we are very proud of him and the legacy of service he left behind.
“We remembered with fondness how he worked round the clock to calm the situation when the agents of evil attacked the St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo in June 2022.
“Akeredolu served his God with gusto and enthusiasm, he was not just the Chancellor of the Anglican Communion in Owo, he was an outstanding singer with admirable and dexterous talent, he will be missed during praise worship.
“In this our sad and difficult moment, Owo is One Association commiserates with the good people and the Government of Ondo State, send condolences to the family of our dear late Governor, The Olowo of Owo and the entire Owo kingdom over the demise of our illustrious son who we loved but God loves more.”
