Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has expressed sadness over the death of Ondo State Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
Makinde, in a statement signed by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor’s Special Adviser (Media), and made available on Wednesday, stated that the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) ‘s death is a sad loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences to his wife, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the entire family, and the government and people of Ondo State.
Describing Akeredolu, who until his death was the chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, as a dogged and courageous leader, the Oyo State governor said Aketi, as he was fondly called, worked hard with his fellow governors for the peace, prosperity, and progress of South-West states.
He said: “I received with great sadness the news of the death of my brother, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the governor of Ondo State and chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum.
“I condole with his wife and children, as well as the government and people of Ondo State, over this sad loss. In Aketi, South-West has lost a dogged fighter and courageous leader who worked hard for the peace, prosperity, and progress of the region.
“I have also lost a worthy co-fighter for the South-West cause because we were both at the vanguard of the struggle, which birthed the South-West Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun.
“Aketi’s fervent and unrelenting stance on issues that border on the South-West’s regional integration and progress is a lesson for leaders. He will be sorely missed.
“Rest well, my dear brother, and may the good Lord be with everyone you left behind.”
