Body of former Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu was on Friday afternoon, brought back to Nigeria, 10 days after his death in a German hospital. The state government said Akeredolu died of complications from prostate cancer. He was 67.
The body was received at the airport in Lagos by members of his immediate family led by his immediate younger brother, Prof. Wole Akeredolu, wife, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu and Secretary to the Ondo State Government SSG, Princess Oladunni Odu.
Also in attendance at the airport were Chief of Staff to the Lagos state government, Tayo Ayinde; Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Tokunbi Talabi; and a representative of Osun State Governor, Senator Demola Adeleke.
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was born on July 21, 1956, in the ancient town of Owo, present-day Ondo State, He was educated at government school in Owo, Aquinas College in Akure, Loyola College in Ibadan, and Ayetoro Comprehensive High School for his elementary and secondary education.
Akeredolu’s journey towards a career in law began at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, where he exhibited early leadership as the Vice President of the Students Union Government in the 1975/76 academic calendar. After completing his studies in 1977, he was called to the bar in 1978.
Akeredolu was elected Ondo state governor 2016. He will be remembered for his role as a leader of the progressives governors in southern Nigeria and more especially for his tenacity in boosting the security of the western region at a time some criminal herders turn the region to a killing field. He championed the establishment of the Amotekun security outfit and was bold to push the course.
The death of Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu has left a vacuum among the governing All Progressives Congress, Ondo State and the south west as a region.
