Today provides another opportunity to celebrate one of the greatest Nigerians to have lived, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, a man who came, fought many battles and won all.
Many would say but he lost the battle to sickness and eventually died but I say NO, for it is appointed unto every human being to die, and so death is the way of all men. As far as I am concerned Aketi has conquered death
Therefore today I celebrate his life as if he were still here, and I do so for many reasons, but I will speak about just 4 out of the very many.
He was an excellent team player; Unlike many leaders in our country who preferred to rest on their knowledge alone or just a cabal, when Aketi was Governor he would insist on the contributions of all members of the State Executive Council before taking decisions on state matters, and he truly respected the meetings and decisions of the Council. Except when he was out of the state and after his illness took a huge toll on him he ensured the SEC met weekly. What is more, he gave Commissioners and Heads of MDAs a free hand to run their MDAs
He honestly respected the female gender and the equality of man; In the history of Ondo state there has been no Governor before or after Aketi that has given women the kind of massive leadership opportunities Aketi gave them, and he was not an adara ni ita, ma dara ni Ile, he gave wings to his wife to fly too. He was simply phenomenal. As far as I am concerned Aketi was one of the greatest promoters of women advancement in Nigeria
His love for the people of Ondo state was legendary; Unknown to many, Aketi would confront a lion if it would protect the interest of people of Ondo state who he fondly called “my people” and I first noticed this when he served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice under the military. I remember clearly that he would confront the Military Administrator, Onyearugbulem firmly but respectfully at State Exco meetings if he felt a decision was being taken that would affect the people negatively. He went ahead to say NO!! even when some of us in the Council couldn’t openly confront the MILAD. This attribute he carried into politics and as Governor he confronted the Federal Government run by his own party openly over the open grazing and anti-Amotekun policies of the Buhari government. As far as I am concerned Aketi is eminently qualified to be called THE PEOPLE’S GENERAL
He was very passionate about development not caring whether or not he benefitted directly His famous words “I want to plant trees under whose shade I may not rest” continues the quality of his thoughts. He was a man who was above personal aggrandizement and he lived his talk by taking steps to make Ondo state the Number One business destination in Nigeria with his deep seaport project initiative which he pursued vigorously, among several other projects before death, the leveller came calling. As far as I am concerned Aketi was the real father of the new Ondo state
As the world marks Aketi’s 70th birthday posthumously, it is instructive to note that in less than 70 years he achieved so much;
▪️He rose to the pinnacle of his legal profession, becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
▪️He led his professional colleagues at the highest level; becoming National President of the Nigeria Bar Association
▪️He was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in his State at a very young age, before turning 40.
▪️He was elected Governor of his state twice and made great impact on his people.
My prayer is that the legacies he has left will not die, and that his family will reap the benefits of his great works.
Happy birthday Arakunrin. I know heaven continues to rejoice over your return after fighting the good fight and earning your crown of glory.
