Kayode Fayemi pays tribute to former Governor of Ondo state, late Rotimi Akeredolu, whose stays will likely be interred in Owo, Ondo state on Friday.
Within the huge tapestry of life, there are people who go away an indelible mark, whose presence echoes within the corridors of our recollections lengthy after they’ve departed. Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu was one such radiant presence. As I render this tribute, my coronary heart is crammed with unhappiness on his demise, but grateful to God for the present of his friendship.
Aketi was a person of many components. Snug in his personal pores and skin, assured within the elite ranks and relatable among the many plebeians in society. One minute, he was at All Saints Church singing at a excessive octave within the choir, the following he was within the Kegites’ shrine dispensing unforgettable lyrics because the World Songito.
As he danced to Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s Water no get enemy, you’ll discover him gyrating to the melodious tunes of Orlando Owoh. Severe but playful, his ideology, always, was the promotion of the widespread good and giving pleasure to the best variety of the individuals.
Within the realm of politics, the place alliances are cast and battles fought, there are these uncommon people who transcend the political area to develop into cherished buddies and trusted confidants, whose presence graced our political journey with knowledge, camaraderie, and unwavering dedication to the nice of the individuals.
Having been deeply concerned in his political journey, notably his gubernatorial quest proper from his unsuccessful 2012 bid to his tortuous however ultimately profitable bid in 2016 and his second time period journey in 2020, I used to be a detailed witness to his trials and triumphs and got here to understand how his altruistic Christian instincts led him to a fulfilled lifetime of public service.
Arakunrin was greater than a political affiliate; he was a pricey buddy, a trusted advisor, a supply of inspiration, and a pillar of assist by way of the highs and lows of our shared endeavours.
A real buddy for all seasons. As a lawyer and politician, he was achieved and profitable, however his biggest legacy lies not in his {many professional} or political achievements, however within the numerous lives he touched and the friendships he cast alongside the way in which.
Many will fondly bear in mind him as an irrepressible defender of the defenceless and a loud, typically undiplomatic voice of the unvoiced. As Chairman of the South West Governors Discussion board, he was the Discipline Marshal and Commander in Chief of the defenceless individuals of the territory and he led from the entrance within the institution of the Western Safety Community – popularly often called Amotekun.
Right now, his relentless marketing campaign for multi-level policing popularly referred to as “state police” is one which has obtained the assist and nearly whole endorsement of the then naysayers.
He went on to drive the Southern Governors Discussion board with the identical sincerety of function, passionate consistency and braveness of conviction when the state of affairs within the political area demanded identical. He insisted, alongside his colleague Governors that the rotation of the presidency to the south was incontestable even when this place ran in opposition to the grain of sure highly effective parts in his political social gathering.
For Aketi, it didn’t matter a lot what aspect of the political divide you belonged; neither did he obsess in regards to the a part of the nation from which an individual hailed.
As a patriot and a nationalist, he by no means overlooked our widespread aim – the search for public good and the constructing of a affluent, united, protected and safe nation. Far was it from him to play the politics of bitterness, however he was additionally not apologetic for his stance on any difficulty as a result of he’s all the time prepared to talk fact to energy in his constant show of braveness of conviction – even when that earned him some skilled and political enemies. Certainly, there are numerous who by no means agreed together with his method. Some discovered him too abrasive and uncompromising. Others accused him of lack of tact and diplomacy. They’re all entitled to their views. What will not be unsure is that he achieved outcomes, timeless, tangible, enduring outcomes that generations but unborn won’t neglect.
As we mirror on his life and occasions throughout this night of Tributes and on our shared experiences and the numerous battles we fought, quite a few challenges encountered and our many triumphs, we’re reminded of the profound affect Arakunrin had on our lives and our society.
His unwavering dedication to the higher good, his unimaginable zest for all times, his tireless advocacy for justice and fairness, and his unyielding dedication to serving others set an exemplary commonplace for us all to proceed to comply with.
As we navigate the void left by the passing of our beloved brother and buddy, in fact we’re asking the unanswered query: how can dying snatch such an individual, so lively from the uncompleted work of nationwide rebirth and renewal? I’ve requested myself the identical query repeatedly as all of us have on this gathering as a result of each dying diminishes us.
All of us want Aketi have been right here with us, however we take solace within the recollections we shared, the laughter we loved, and the teachings he imparted. He could not stroll amongst us, however his spirit lives on within the mandatory battles he fought on behalf of a greater Nigeria, the service he rendered to the nice individuals of Ondo State, the kindness he confirmed his compatriots, the knowledge he shared with one and all, and the lives he touched in his boundless peregrinations.
His legacy transcends the confines of his skilled and/or political life; it lives on within the hearts of all who had the privilege of figuring out him. The responsibility all of us owe him is to proceed to combat on behalf of the individuals, not essentially in his inimitable method however in our personal ineluctable approach within the collective quest for a Higher Nigeria, a Nigeria that works for all her residents.
On behalf of my spouse, Bisi and the remainder of our household, my prayer is that Almighty God will grant his soul a candy repose and supply the household with immense fortitude to bear his irreplaceable demise.
Nigeria has misplaced an excellent man. An excellent man. Could he relaxation in peace. Amen!
-Dr Fayemi is former Governor of Ekiti State.
