By Halimah Olamide
Late Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu was the most courageous President to have led the Nigerian Bar Association.
This was the conclusion by the current president of the association Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikayau on Wednesday.
Akeredolu died in the early hours of Wednesday after a protracted battle with prostrate cancer.
“It is with a heavy heart that I pay tribute to His Excellency, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, CON, SAN (Aketi), the Executive Governor of Ondo State and Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), whose transition took place on 27 December 2023 after a protracted ill-health,” the NBA president wrote in the condolence statement,
He said he was not he most influential and courageous Presidents ever to lead the NBA.
He said, “Aketi, as he was popularly called, was in our lexicon a true Bar man who firmly believed in the ability of the legal profession to make a difference in our society.
“It was this belief that led him into politics resulting in being elected twice has the Governor of Ondo State. Aketi will mostly be remembered for his forthrightness and down-to-earth perspectives especially on matters of national importance.
“He will be positively remembered for his contributions to the progress of Nigeria, he was recognized by the Federal Government and conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in October 2022.
“ There is no denying that the learned Senior Advocate left indelible footprints in the sands of time,” he added
While commiserating with the entire Akeredolu clan, particularly his wife, Betty, and children, the NBA president said he extended condolences to the Ondo State Executive Committee and the entire people of Ondo State.
He concluded, “Aketi’s departure is our collective loss. My prayer is that God Almighty will comfort the hearts of all members of his family, his colleagues, and friends. May the peace of God which is beyond human understanding.”