Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has expressed sadness over the death of Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
He said, with the demise of Aketi, South-West has lost a dogged fighter and courageous leader who worked hard for the peace, prosperity and progress of the region.
Akeredolu, who suffered from leukemia and prostrate cancer, said to have died in an undisclosed hospital in the early hours of today.
Makinde, in a statement on Wednesday, stated that the death of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 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.
Makinde, in the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, described 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 colleague-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, 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 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.”
