The final burial rites of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will take place today in Owo, an ancient town in Ondo State, where prominent Nigerians will gather to pay their respects.
The former president of the Nigeria Bar (NBA) will be laid to rest after the funeral service at St. Andrew Anglican Church, Imola, Owo.
A thanksgiving service will follow on Sunday in the same church.
Akeredolu died in December.
His funeral rites began from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he resided and practised law before he ventured into politics.
His body was taken to Akure on Wednesday before being moved to Owo, his hometown.
Yesterday, Akeredolu’s relatives performed the traditional Ajabue dance before his burial.
The dance, which is part of the funeral rites for the dead in Owoland, was joined by many people who started from the Ijebu-Owo home of the deceased.
The procession was led by the children and family members of the former governor.
The Ajabue dance is believed by the Owo people, who speak Yoruba, to announce the passage of the dead to heaven.
Mr. Ola Olusegun, a participant, said the Ajabue rite is done for the dead to enter heaven.
He explained that the male child holds the ceremonial swords called Ape and Agada while the female holds the Iya-shin (horse tail).
However, Olusegun said it is a taboo to perform the Ajabue on Ukoko market day.
Among those who attended the ceremony were former Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Raimi Aminu; Members of House of Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi and Morenike Witherspoon; former Special Assistant on Natural Resources, Fatai Olushina; former Commissioner for Hygiene and Water Resources, Fatai Olotu; Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National Vice President and National President, Nigeria Civil Service Union, Comrade Sunday Adeleye; and some permanent secretaries.
Former Secretary to Government Mrs Oladunni Odu, in her tribute, described Akeredolu as a “man of courage, a man with great family values, and a man of truth.”
She added: “Many of you called him courageous because you saw him speak truth to power from afar, even at the expense of mega threats to his life. But I saw him speak truth to power in the same room, in the face of the gun.”
Akeredolu’s son and former Director-General of Ondo State Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU), Babajide, expressed his gratitude to the people for celebrating his father.
He said the turnout showed the love the people have for the family.
Babajide said: “I want to sincerely appreciate the people of Owo for their tremendous support, for coming out in large numbers to connect with us, to accompany us, to dance with us, and to engage in all activities related to my late dad.”
We are consoled by testimonies, says family
At the service of songs yesterday, the family said they were comforted by the testimonies and tributes to Akeredolu, adding that they confirmed that the late patriarch lived a meaningful life and made a positive difference in society.
Akeredoku’s younger brother, Professor Wole Akeredolu, spoke on behalf of the family at the service held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Church.
Prof. Akeredolu thanked everyone for their support and love for the former governor.
Dignitaries from across the country attended the service.
The Bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev Stephen Fagbemi, said Akeredolu was a visionary leader who had a passion for the things of God.
The Bishop stressed that Akeredolu left a gap that will be hard to fill in the diocese, the state, and the country.
He prayed to God to give the family the strength to cope with the loss.
In a short sermon, Most Reverend Simeon Borokini, the Anglican Bishop of Akure Diocese and Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province, said Akeredolu served the people of the state well.
At the service were Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami; Deputy Governor of Kogi State Salifu Joel Oyibo, Minister of State for Youth Development Olawande Ayodele; Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Hellen Ogunwumiju; other justices of the Court of Appeal, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Ade Adetimehin; Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly Olamide Oladiji; Chief Judge Justice Olusegun Odusola; Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire; and former PDP governorship candidate in the state Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN)
Also present were the wife of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Bisi Fayemi, former Minister Prince Ademola Adegoroye, members of the House of Representatives, APC governorship aspirant Wale Akinterinwa, the leadership and members of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
