The body of Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, former Governor of Ondo State, has arrived in Nigeria.
According to a tweet from the late governor’s spokesperson, Richard Olatunde, the plane carrying the body arrived at approximately 3:39 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024.
The late Governor’s body was carried into the country from Germany, where he died.
His wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, his children, and siblings led by Prof. Wole Akeredolu, his immediate younger brother, received the body.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbi Talabi; and representative of Osun State Governor, Senator Demola Adeleke also joined in receiving the body.
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gboyega Adefarati, and some members of the Ondo State Executive Council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, were also present at the airport to receive the body of the former Governor.
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was born on July 21, 1956, in the ancient town of Owo, present-day Ondo State, He was educated at government school in Owo, Aquinas College in Akure, Loyola College in Ibadan, and Ayetoro Comprehensive High School for his elementary and secondary education.
Akeredolu’s journey towards a career in law began at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, where he exhibited early leadership as the Vice President of the Students Union Government in the 1975/76 academic calendar. After completing his studies in 1977, he was called to the bar in 1978.
Akeredolu was elected Ondo state governor 2016. He will be remembered for his role as a leader of the progressives governors in southern Nigeria and more especially for his tenacity in boosting the security of the western region at a time some criminal herders turn the region to a killing field. He championed the establishment of the Amotekun security outfit and was bold to push the course.
The death of Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu has left a vacuum among the governing All Progressives Congress, Ondo State and the south west as a region.
