The National Youth Service Corps Coordinator in Ondo State, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani has described the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, CON, SAN as a fearless patriot who defended the rights and privileges of the downtrodden and less privileged in the society throughout his lifetime.
The State Coordinator made the statement at Jericho avenue, the Ibadan home of the late Governor, where she led the NYSC management team to condole with the wife of the legal icon, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu and the family.
Mrs. Ani who declared that the demise of the late Governor was too much a burden on the lives the departed legal luminary impacted while alive said that Nigerians will never forget in a hurry the imprints he made in the political sphere.
"His Excellency, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu was a central figure to good governance, justice, rule of law and democratic ideals which made him one of the few ones who laboured to ensure that citizens and residents enjoyed dividends of democracy in the real sense of it".
"Anyone who has followed the trajectory of Arakunrin right from when he was the Vice President of the Student Union Government during his undergraduate days at University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, through his impressive administration as the then President of Nigerian Bar Association and the unforgettable years as the Executive Governor of Ondo State, would not but conclude that Arakunrin Akeredolu was indeed a statesman".
The NYSC Ondo State boss disclosed that the Scheme is a direct beneficiary of the purposeful administration of the man popularly known and fondly referred to as Aketi.
"On behalf of the Director General of the noble Scheme, Brigadier General Yisha'u Dogara Ahmed, DSS, fdc, fnli, MTRCN, MNARC, the management, staff and entire corps members serving nationwide, with special reference to those who are serving in the Sunshine State, I wish to condole with our mother, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu whose indelible mark at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp can not be forgotten.
"We know how painful it is to lose a responsible sweetheart and a loving father as Aketi but our consolation lies in the fact that he lived well and fulfilled destiny considering the impact he made in the Southwest geopolitical zone where he was the architect of the regional security outfit code named Amotekun as well as being a lone and formidable voice in ensuring that justice is served without let or hindrance. His leadership qualities was acknowledged when he led as Chairman, Southwest Governors Forum. We shall continue to celebrate him as the People's Governor".
"Your Excellency Ma, NYSC has lost a strong pillar of support in Arakunrin Akeredolu who throughout his administration put smiles on the faces of corps members and staff alike. He was our father who stood by the Scheme staunchly and we cannot but commiserate with the family on his demise and we want to pray to God Almighty to comfort the entire family as well as the citizens and residents of Ondo, the Sunshine State".
Mrs. Ani admonished the wife of the late human rights activist to accept what happened as the will of God as everyone who he impacted fervently prayed for his recovery but 'God knows best'.
"We shall continue to remember you, the children and entire family in our prayers having implicit trust in God that the departed soul is resting in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Lord will comfort the entire family and wipe away all tears. HE will stand by you Ma and give you strength to carry on where Aketi left off and I pray it shall be well with the soul of everyone in the family".
Responding, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu who was apparently down and wore a mournful look appreciated the NYSC for sharing in their grief at this trying period.
Arabinrin Betty, who spoke through the younger brother of the deceased, Pastor Kola Akeredolu said Aketi had been a father whose roles and responsibilities transcended that of a brother.
"Your coming here all the way from Akure in Ondo State is as a result of the impact our father made while he was alive, otherwise, the team from NYSC would have stayed back. Several thousands dying daily are unsung but your presence here confirms that our father served humanity and you have come to honour him for his good deeds not only to NYSC but to mankind as a whole".
He continued, 'Thank you for not forgetting his impact and it will be our joy if you can go out there and replicate such to Nigerians who see the death of our father as the end of the road. If you can take that step and put smiles into the faces of several thousands of people as our father did, then his death would have taught everyone a great lesson that we are all created to lift ourselves up'.
Prayers were offered for Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, her children, the siblings of late Aketi, the entire family as well as citizens and residents of Ondo, the Sunshine State.
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