‘We can’t forget him’ — Shettima, governors attend Akeredolu’s funeral service in Owo

Vice-President Kashim Shettima and some governors on Friday attended the funeral service of the late Rotimi Akeredolu, former governor of Ondo state.

Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, after a protracted battle with prostate cancer.

The burial programmes of Akeredolu have been taking place in the last one week

The funeral service was held at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Owo, the home town of the late governor.

The service was attended by Shettima, George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC); state governors; politicians; family members; friends and lawyers as well as residents of Ondo state.

Governors present at the funeral service included Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo; Babajide Sanw-Olu of Lagos; Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti; Ademola Adeleke of Osun; Seyi Makinde of Oyo; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun; Godwin Obaseki of Edo; Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta; Charles Soludo of Anambra; Hyacinth Alia of Benue and Peter Mbah of Enugu.

Some former governors were also present at the service.

Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the funeral service, eulogised Akeredolu for the legacies he left behind in Ondo and Nigeria.

The vice-president said Akeredolu stood for the truth, adding that “he was a vastly intelligent man whose passion has created quite a wide vacuum beyond this community”.

“As we gather here today, we are confronted with one inexorable truth: seasons come and seasons go, much like the ebb and flow of our lives, and each of us shall go with the tides one after the other,” the vice-president said.

“We are also reminded that in this transient journey through life, we are but whispers in the wind.

“The parts of us that endure after we get to the end of our journey are the choices we make, and this moment is the ultimate confirmation of the noble paths trodden by our dear brother.”

‘WE CAN’T FORGET HIM’ 

On his part, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo, said his late principal contributed to the development of the state in the areas of health, education, and infrastructure among others

“You are all here to pay your friend, our leader, and our governor last respect because of the relationship that he had with all of you at one time or another,” Aiyedatiwa said.

“Some of you were his childhood friends of over 60 years, some of you his professional colleagues, some former governors, some of you from the community he hailed from and some of you from the church.

“You are all here because he stood for something: good governance and the rule of law.

“He means a lot to different people, and that is why he has been described in different words. He was a courageous leader, a fighter, and a warrior.

“How can we forget him so soon? It is not possible because he lives on. Sometimes we wonder how he decided to leave us so soon.

“Why can’t God give him more years to still stay with us? A real husband to the wife, a real father to the children, a leader and governor for the state for many years, and a loyal friend to all of you. Why did God take him home so soon?

“They say good people don’t live for too long; I think he is one of them. For me, I cannot forget him so soon because we share a lot together.”