Adeniyi Adegbomire, the senator representing Ondo South, has paid glowing tribute to former Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, as family, friends and associates marked what would have been his 70th birthday.
Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, following a prolonged illness. He was 67.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Adegbomire remembered the late governor as a bold and principled leader whose influence on governance, democracy and security remains evident years after his death.
The lawmaker noted that Akeredolu’s push for the establishment of the Amotekun Corps significantly strengthened regional security and remains one of the defining achievements of his administration.
“Late Akeredolu was the ‘Amotekun Generalissimo’, whose courage, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice and the protection of lives and property earned him an enduring place in the history of Ondo State and Nigeria.
“Akeredolu was a rare statesman, a fearless defender of constitutional democracy, and a leader who stood firmly for the interests of his people irrespective of the odds. The late governor’s bold initiative in championing and institutionalising the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, remains one of his greatest legacies and a watershed in community policing and regional security.
“Aketi was truly a tree that almost made a forest. His uncommon courage, conviction, and exceptional leadership inspired countless others to believe that principled governance is possible. His absence is still deeply felt, but his legacies continue to speak for him,” he said.
Adegbomire further praised Akeredolu’s achievements in law, infrastructure and economic development, saying the former governor left behind enduring institutions and a legacy that continues to shape Ondo State.
He added, “Though he is no longer with us, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu lives on through his enduring legacies, the institutions he built, and the countless lives he touched. On this 70th posthumous birthday, we celebrate an extraordinary leader whose impact will remain evergreen.”
