Gen. Bajowa bemoans loss of Akeredolu, describes him as rare gem stateman.
– Steve Ovirih.
As condolences continue to roll in over the demise of the immediate past Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu ,SAN, CON, the Jagunmolu of Ikaleland and Ojagbulegun from The Source, Prince ( Dr.) Gen. Olu Bajowa ( Rtd) has joined Nigerians of note to pay tribute to Late Governor Akeredolu, describing him as a rare gem and a refined stateman of example.
Gen. Bajowa who expressed his sadness on Gov. Akeredolu’s death in a press release personally signed by him , which copy was obtained by thepolity.net said ” Alas! Ondo State has lost a very rare gem in Akeredolu!!”
The retired Army top brass admitted that Akeredolu’s death which occurred on 27th December, 2023 hit him like a thunderbolt as it was indeed to him a painful anti climax. “The sad news of the demise of the most beloved Executive Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, of our dear Ondo State on December 27,2023 hit me like a thunderbolt. It was indeed an anti climax ”
Gen. Bajowa noted that despite the known fact that the Governor had been facing some health challenges , he as a person had remained prayerful and highly optimistic that he would pull through and survived it , noting that it never crossed his mind for once that Governor Akeredolu was going to succumb to the cold hands of death.
He said with Akeredolu’s death, the painful reality is that Ondo State has lost a good leader par excellence , a dogged fighter and champion of just cause , a principled politician, an excellent legal luminary and a thorough bred gentleman, who will remain a point of historical reference as the State Chief Executive, who in the absence of a State Police , founded ‘ Amotekun corps’ for Ondo State and indeed Yoruba race when security was terribly challenged in the South West by anti social elements.
Going further, the Ajagungbade of Idepe- Okitipupa said Governor Akeredolu was a very good man by all standards and he was a very focused personality, fair and just to all ,and always relentless in his service to God and humanity.
” From my personal encounters with him and the testimony of those who worked closely with him, I dare say that his demise has created a very big vacuum which will be very difficult to fill any time soon.
“His friendly disposition to all and sundry, unique leadership style and landmark achievements as Ondo State Governor remain unparalleled achievements and only posterity can best lead to a full appreciation of his indelible footprints on the sand of time.”
The Jagunmolu of Ikaleland further noted that he recalled with nostalgia his very humble mien and pragmatic posture during his interaction with Gov. Akeredolu when he officially Commissioned his broadcast outfit, Awawa 94.1 Fm as part of activities marking his 80th birthday on December 27th, 2020, coincidentally three years before the Governor’s demise, adding that not only did Akeredolu’s esteemed presence lend emphatic stamp of encouragement on the Radio Station’s Commissioning ,but he has found him to be one of the most inspiring leaders of his generation that he has ever encountered.
Gen. Bajowa therefore said, ” it is with profound sense of personal loss that he commiserates with the Akeredolu family of Owo Kingdom, the Nigeria Bar Association ( NBA) and the well meaning people of Ondo State over his demise at the age of 67.”
While stressing that Governor Akeredolu had lived a purpose driven life which showed evidently that he came, he saw and conquered, he maintained that the best tribute that the deceased Governor deserves now is for the state to preserve his developmental legacies and sustain the peaceful co existence which hallmarked Akeredolu’s life and service to humanity.
” I pray that the Almighty God will comfort the family and grant the good people of Ondo State the fortitude to bear his loss.
” From the depth of my heart, I pray his gentle soul find rest in God’s blossom ,’ Gen. Olu Bajowa indicated.
