Tag: Akeredolu

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Entertainment News

Akeredolu: Things To Know About Ex-NBA President Who Was Elected Twice As Ondo Governor

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State, died on Wednesday, December 27.

The Ondo State Government has confirmed the death of the governor. The confirmation came several hours after news of his death went viral.

In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the governor gave up the ghost in Germany on Wednesday after battling prostate cancer. He reportedly died at age 67.

The governor, who has faced criticism for his decision to withhold power from his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, commenced his medical leave in June. The leave was subsequently prolonged based on medical advice.

He formally transferred authority to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and went on another medical vacation on Wednesday, December 13.

Known affectionately as Aketi, Akeredolu had a profound impact on the nation’s political climate. His public life trajectory includes advocacy, legal practice, serving as president of the Nigerian Bar Association, and winning two terms as governor of Ondo State.

In this report, PUNCH Online outlines the significant events that have shaped his political and professional life.

Early Life and Education

1.  He was born on July 21, 1956, in Owo, Ondo State.

2. He had his Primary education at Government School, Owo; Secondary education at Aquinas College, Akure, and Loyola College, Ibadan.

3. He had his Higher School Certificate at Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro.

4. LLB degree from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1977.

5. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978.

Personal Life and Family

6. Aketi was a  Christian with a Chapel of Epiphany dedicated at his Owo residence.

7. He was born to Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu (father) and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu (mother)

8. He was a Chancellor of the Cathedral of St. Andrews Church, Owo.

9. He was married to Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu with four children.

Political and Professional Career

10. Aketi has been the Governor of Ondo State since February 24, 2017.

11. He served as the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Bar Association Ibadan branch from 1985-1986.

12. From 1997 to 1999, Akeredolu was Ondo State’s attorney general. In 1998, he was appointed as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. From 2005 to 2006, he presided over the Legal Aid Council as its chairman.

13. He also served as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association between 2008 and 2009.

14. He was the Vice Chairman of the Ibadan branch of the NBA in 1991 and Chairman from 1992 to 1994.

15. He was a Managing Partner at the law firm of Olujinmi & Akeredolu.

16. He was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger in October 2022.

Significant achievements

17. Security and Advocacy

Aketi was at the forefront of the establishment of the Regional Security Network, Amotekun, to address security concerns, with plans to recruit more personnel. On January 9, 2020, the six state governors of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti in Nigeria jointly established Amotekun.

The operatives of a security outfit have been actively supporting the police, other security agencies, and traditional rulers in their efforts to combat various criminal activities in the region. These activities include terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, and kidnapping. Additionally, the operatives have been instrumental in resolving conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in the area.

18. Infrastructure

The dualisation of Oke-Alabojuto Road in Ikare-Akoko, reconstruction of Emure to Owo Road, and various road constructions in different parts of Ondo state. Also, there was notable infrastructural investment and accreditation of previously unaccredited courses at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.

19. Economy

His administration established the Ondo-Linyil Industrial Hub in Ore. He also promoted agribusiness, subsidies on tractors, land clearing, and various projects to empower farmers and youth.

20. Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, after reportedly battling prostate cancer for several months.

***

Source: The PUNCH

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Entertainment News

BREAKING: Lucky Aiyedatiwa Sworn In As Ondo State Governor After Akeredolu’s Death

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the acting governor of Ondo State, has been sworn in as the state governor.

This followed the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday at the age of 67.

The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by the Chief Justice of Ondo, Justice Olusegun Odusola, who was sworn in by Akeredolu as the 12th Chief Judge of the state in February 2023.

It has been earlier reported that Aiyedatiwa would be sworn in as the governor of the state today (Wednesday) in Akure, the state capital.

Earlier reports had shown that Aiyedatiwa was already on his way to Akure from Igbokoda where he had gone for the Christmas and New Year break.

“Ondo State will be swearing in Lucky Aiyedatiwa as governor in Akure today. The swearing-in is slated to be held at the Cocoa Conference Hall in Akure. However, no time has been fixed yet for the event,” a top government source earlier revealed to SaharaReporters.

Akeredolu died on Wednesday in Germany – an incident which had generated reactions and condolences from several quarters.

The governor battled cancer until his death.

The 67-year-old politician returned to Nigeria in September after a three-month medical leave in Germany and only recently proceeded on another one after President Bola Tinubu directed him to hand over power to his deputy, Aiyedatiwa.

His deputy, Aiyedatiwa had been standing in as Acting Governor.

Following his return to Nigeria in September, Akeredolu stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and tried to govern his state from there, leading to public outrage.

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News

Akeredolu Is Alive — Ondo Govt Clarifies

The government of Ondo state has reacted to rumors of the state governor’s death.

The state government at the weekend asked Nigerians to ignore the rumour of the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Speculations were rife that the governor who had been indisposed for a while, passed on this morning.

But the state information and Orientation Commissioner, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, in a statement in Akure, made the clarification.

The statement reads “We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

“We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it appeared that certain persons seek to draw political mileage from the disinformation.

“Though the Governor has been indisposed, he has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the Government, when necessary.

“We enjoin the members of the public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive.

However, both the Social Democratic Party and the People’s Democratic Party, have raised concerns over the governor’s health.

While the SDP, state chairman, Stephen Adewale kicked against the secrecy of the health conditions of the governor, the spokesperson for the People’s Democratic Party, Kennedy Peretei, said the governor’s whereabouts should not be a secret.

Adewale said that ” There are now serious doubts about Governor Akeredolu’s capacity to continue to govern the Sunshine State as his medical conditions remain shrouded in secrecy.

“It is quite disturbing that the state of the governor’s health has become a topic of state curiosity and concern.

” This situation continues to undermine the ability of the State government to fulfil its obligations and commitments, including those requiring the government to provide economic pathways to millions of people facing absolute poverty and uncertainty in the Sunshine State due to the reckless and insensitive removal of subsidy by the APC-led federal government.

“Ondo SDP call on Arakunrin to respect the good people of Ondo State who have voted for him twice by presenting his medical records to the general public.

“We strongly believe that the good people of Ondo State have the right to know about the medical conditions of Arakunrin Akeredolu.

On it’s part, the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, in a statement, said that ” those hiding the governor should tell the people where he is to save the state from speculation.

“As mortals, any human being can fall sick. Whether in public office or private life. Rotimi Akeredolu is employed by the people of Ondo State and maintained with taxpayers’ money. So, it is criminal and a great disservice to keep mum over his health status and his whereabouts.

” In 2010, when then-President Umar Yar’Adua was incapacitated due to ill health, Akeredolu was one of the most vociferous voices, calling for his resignation and allowing the then Vice-President to take over.

” If for whatever reason, Akeredolu can no longer discharge his official responsibilities, the most reasonable thing to do is to hand over to the Deputy Governor as required by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“Our party joins millions of Ondo State people to pray for Akeredolu’s quick recovery, but nobody should play politics with his ill health.

Peretei added that “Nobody should ground the state beyond its present state. Let Akeredolu resign if he is no longer fit to be governor.

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2023 Elections

New Naira Policy To Frustrate Tinubu – Akeredolu Claims

Rotimi Akeredolu, the Ondo State Governor, has slammed the new naira policy.

He said the naira redesign and swap policy was targeted at truncating Saturday’s presidential election and national assembly elections.

He added that the policy was also targeted at the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to ensure he lost the election.

The governor stated this at the state broadcast aired on electronic media outfits in the state on Thursday morning, barely 48 hours to the election.

According to him, the cash swap policy of the APC-led government and the alleged artificial scarcity of fuel “are both lethal injections deliberately administered to de-market the APC government, create an uncontrollable crisis in the nation and finally frustrate the 2023 general elections.”

He said, “The goal is to truncate the election and deny the country the service of a true patriot, an endowed visionary with a proven record of character, knowledge, leadership and performance.

“It is also an attempt to abuse the principle of the rotational presidency by denying a section of this country its legitimate right thereby fuelling ethnic disaffection and creating a grave constitutional crisis in the country.

”Recall that in the course of these circumstances, I have offered clear and unequivocal statements as our stand on this dangerous and unfortunate adventure.

“To say the least, it is a dagger drawn at the heart of the ruling APC on the eve of the elections in order to destroy it and the governments it controls at the federal and state levels. As the nation trudges on, our resolve to deepen democracy and good governance must remain unflinching and abiding.

“Despite the desperate efforts by selfish and subversive elements within the government, to destroy the multiparty politics in Nigeria, the dividends of good governance brought to the people by the APC remain indelible in the recent history of our state in particular and the nation in general.

“The central purpose (of the naira swap policy) is to frustrate his ( Tinubu’) popularity and renowned acceptability across all tribes and religions in this country. The goal is to truncate the election and deny the country the service of a true patriot, an endowed visionary with a proven record of character, knowledge, leadership and performance.

“It is also an attempt to abuse the principle of the rotational presidency by denying a section of this country its legitimate right thereby fuelling ethnic disaffection and creating a grave constitutional crisis in the country.”

While calling on the people of the state to vote for the presidential and other candidates of the APC in Saturday’s election, Akeredolu assured that Tinubu, if elected, would tackle many challenges facing the country and the state in particular.

“As your governor, my duty to you at this time of great confusion and frustration is therefore to provide you with a clear vision of the path of redemption and hope. It is to charge you all to shake off the artificial frustration and the temporary barriers on your way to choosing a president who represents hope and assured brighter days ahead.

“My message to you is that despite all the well-planned intrigues to deny you of your democratic rights and the future and prosperity of your offsprings, which Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represents, I urge you to troop out massively and vote for the APC on Saturday.

“This is the time to separate the past from the future. For us in Ondo State, this is our time to vote for a president who identifies with our challenges and who would help us to actualize our ongoing plan for the establishment of Ondo Deep Sea Port and massive industrial revolution, tackle youth unemployment, achieve our dream of state police to solve our insecurity problem and ensure human capacity development. It is time to set a new flag and make Nigeria great,” the governor added.

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2023 Elections

Ondo governor Akeredolu boasts that Tinubu will be Nigeria’s next president.

Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo state, has boasted that it is Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s turn to lead Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Akeredolu made the call at the APC Ondo North senatorial campaign rally held in Owo on Monday, February 7, 2023.

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According to him, since the North had produced the president for eight years, it is the turn of the South to occupy the presidency.

He assured that the country will excel across the board under the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu if elected as the president.

While urging the people to go out en mass and vote for all the candidates of the party at the forthcoming polls, Akeredolu stressed that the party will pull the country out of the current doldrums.

He said: “Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu is tested and trusted. He has been Governor of Lagos State and we know how he transformed the State. I can assure you, Nigeria will move forward under Tinubu as President”, he said.

Akeredolu called on the people of Owo, Ose and Akoko to vote massively for the Senatorial candidate of the party, Pastor Jide Ipinsagba, adding that his experience in the private sector will help him deliver on his mandate if elected.

He also urged the people to drum support for the House of Representatives Candidates of the party.

The governor said, Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo; Hon. Timehin Adelegbe; and Asiwaju Adegboyega Adefarati will bring quality representation to the people of their Federal Constituencies.

Akeredolu also campaigned for the candidates of the House of Assembly in the Senatorial district.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye charged the people to vote for the APC. He stressed the need for party members to prioritise party loyalty for progress and development.

Chairman of the party in the State, Ade Adetimehin said Owo indigenes are known for their roles in standing for justice and equality in the country’s democracy.

He said: ”This is Owo. Akeredolu championed the struggle for Southern Presidency. Baba Ajasin championed the June 12 struggle. Another Owo man has championed Tinubu’s presidency. Let us go to our unit, ward and local government. It is time for Yoruba to be President.

“This election is for the Progressive. Our country will move forward under Tinubu. Vote Tinubu and all the Senate, Reps, and House of Assembly candidates under the APC. Don’t sell your votes.

Adetimehin later received over 500 PDP members in Akoko led by Bada Sunday and Sola Dauda into the APC.