OPINION:- The man AKETI: Arakurin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON. ( 21st July,1956 - 27th December 2024).

OPINION:- The man AKETI: Arakurin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu  SAN, CON. ( 21st July,1956 - 27th December 2024)

Published by African Horizon News Magazine by our Correspondent, Abidemi Agbi, Akure.

Written by: Kehinde Bisi-Taiwo 

Everyone born of  man will compulsorily  bow and kiss the dust one day, either we like it or not. However, whatever is accomplished in the period of stay in this divide will always define human essence of existence in such specified period.

The inevitable exit

The account of the exit of Arakurin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON, the immediate past Governor of Ondo State was received with mixed feelings rather than, the usual rude shock by Nigerians and particularly the good people of Ondo State for no other reason than his glaring failing health.

It was in the wee hour of the second day after the celebration of the year 2023 Christmas that the news broke of the inevitable that demanded the life of the then fearless and down to earth Governor of the Sunshine State in far away Germany, where he had been away for medical attention.

The situation of the unwellness had dragged him out of his duty post severally, sometimes warranting medical leave(s) so as to create time to attend to the ambiguously reported health issue; it was eventually admitted to be rooted in cancer related complications.

 Although, the challenging health status had remain common topic of discuss in the public domain for quite sometime, no thanks to the repeated unnecessary hush-hush handling of his case. The attitude made mockery, and underscored the reality that, any mortal carrying virile blood in his or her veins is never insulated against ailments. 

Aketi the Legal Luminary

Arakurin was one of the products of the  fruitful union between Reverend J. O. Ola Akeredolu and Evangelist Grace Akeredolu

He was privileged among  his numerous age group to attend elementary, post primary, and higher school certificate classes in the sixties; starting from Government Pry School, Owo, Aquinas College, Akure and Loyola College, Ibadan, Comprehensive high school, Ayetoro for higher school certificate, before proceeding to the prestigious University of Ife, Ile-Ife (present day Obafemi Awolowo University) where he obtained his Law degree in 1977; allowing him complete the bar qualification in the following year.and  was subsequently admitted into the Nigerian bar in 1978, he never looked back since then till he got to the pinnacle of his legal career, he was decorated with the silk in 1998 exactly two decades after qualification.

He never rested on his oars, he at some point served as National President to the Nigerian Bar Association between 2008-2010 and made  significant contributions to the body and Nigeria as a whole at that period.

The uncommon and fearless politician

There is no doubting the fact that, man is mainly a product of his genetic makeup, as well as the background buildup, all of  these actually impacted well on the decisions, dispositions and utterances of Arakurin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu as an uncommon politician, and civilian administrator. He was indeed, nurtured by God fearing parents.

In my estimation of the departed Governor from afar, he can be easily rated in the class of Martin Luther king Jr., going by his subtle, non-violent, but far reaching articulation of distinct positions that were devoid of ambiguity on sensitive issues bedeviling the nation at any point in time.

While the "diplomacy" of a typical politician will put such  question like, "Where are the cows" to the public and news thirsty reporters, when Late Mrs Olakurin the daughter of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fashoranti (Afenifere leader) fell to the bullets of menacing Fulani herdsmen at Ore, an uncommon Aketi will frankly call spade its real name without mincing words or minding whose ox is gored.

Despite belonging to the ruling class, his voice was always unequivocal,  and deafeningly echoed with an unprecedented reverberation throughout the length and breadth of the nation  against injustices in any form or guise during the immediate past administration of PMB of the All Progressive Congress where he also belonged.

Was it on the rampaging herdsmen, open grazing of cattle, banditry, Ruga brouhaha, Presidential zoning arrangement as it affects the south west geo-political zone after Muhammadu Buhari's completion of a Northern eight years rotational tenure, when the kite of another Northern President were being contemplated, he doggedly championed the clamour for arm bearing state police which ultimately led to the formation of the now popular Amotekun security network in all the south west states except Lagos despite all odds. 

He was steadfast, and unbending in his advocacy for equity, prevalence of natural justice, and fairness to all.

Humility per excellence

Apart from dropping His Excellency title for Arakurin,  the highly humorous Governor still associated well, and was at home with his Kegite Club members to the extent of  hosting their gyration in the government house.

He, until death, held senior life fellowship (SLF) position in the Comradium as a certified "Archivarian Songito" of ileya du world, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

All he stood for while around, in my view, had a semblance of the values Kegite club stand for in the promotion of humanity and African culture  globally.

AKETI was a thorough bred Omoluabi; free minded, lively and a very lovely personality with  radiating  passion for the Afrocentric  philosophy of the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the world acclaimed Afrobeat king. He is also a fine singer, the viral "Gbangba " musical shoot is a good testimony in this respect. 

One incident in which his humility caught my fancy in the political tuft  played out between my twin brother and this mutual friend of ours who is a sitting member of the National Assembly today, to the glory of God.

The issue undoubtedly tortured and placed me in a very tight corner between my twin brother and this our old time, childhood friend.

Alas! the issue was permanently rested then by his very expensive "Idobale" a notable one at that, a timely intervention which saw a very humble AKETI prostrating to sue for peace, even as a sitting Governor, at Alagbaka, Government house, Akure  just  for his party to move forward, this was an incredibly commendable feat and a very rear leadership trait. Arakurin was indeed, that humble.

It is definitely a closed chapter till eternity "Mr talk and do" his sun set after 67 years around.

AKETI is survived by Chief Mrs Betty Anyawu- Akeredolu and four Children.

Fare- thee- well, the Amotekun General!!!!

Kehinde Bisi-Taiwo is a Pedigree writer, Author and Public Commentator from 17, Idedi-Street, Okeigbo, Ondo State, Nigeria