28th December, 2023
By Taiwo Okanlawon
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams, has reacted to the demise of the Ondo state governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, describing it as a huge personal loss.
Adams, who commiserated with the governor’s bereaved family in a statement on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Kehinde Aderemi, also said Akeredolu’s exit as a big loss to Nigeria and Yorubaland in particular.
The Yoruba generalissimo said he received the news of governor Akeredolu’s death as a rude shock, saying a dark cloud enveloped Ondo state and the southwest in general.
He stated further that the late governor fought a good battle with a sickness that had taken a huge toll on his health for a very long time now.
He said: “I received the news of governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s death with shock. It came at a time when we all hope for his return from Germany, where he had since been receiving treatment for the sickness that had taken him away from the public for a very long time now.
“The late Arakunrin Akeredolu was my governor. He was the governor of Ondo state, and the loss was also very personal to me, first as a native of the state and second as the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land.
“The late governor Akeredolu was a voice that remained louder even as he battled his protracted sickness. He gave the necessary support to the Ondo state Amotekun, the South Western Security Network and he was very well known for taking bold step on any initiative that could advance the cause of the Southwest region.
“As a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) the late Akeredolu was courageous. He was at the centre of every activity that could transform the institution.
“And in Ondo state, the late governor Akeredolu tried his best before he went the way of all mortals. It is sad that we lost such a brilliant and amiable governor at this time. He was aged 67.
“I join his immediate family and the good people of Ondo state as we mourn the death of our illustrious son. I pray God to grant his soul eternal rest.”