NOTABLE Nigerians, including governors, former governors and ministers, yesterday, paid their last respects to the late Ondo State governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who died in a German hospital, last year.
They were at the commendation service, held in honour of the late governor, at the All Saints Church, Jericho, in Ibadan, where he fellowshipped before he breathed his last.
Among those who attended the service was Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa of Ondo State, his deputy, Dr Olaide Adelani; Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Adenike Adeyemo; former Governors of Ekiti and Cross River states, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Mr Donald Duke respectively.
Also in attendance were the widow, Mrs Betty Akeredolu and her children; former Minister of Science and Technology Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Minister of State for Transport, Prince Ademola Adegoroye; business tycoon, Oba Otudeko and retired AIG Tunji Alapinni amongst others.
While delivering a sermon at the church service, the Bishop of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Williams Aladekugbe, made a fresh call on the Federal Government to wrestle the country from the jaws of hunger and hardship which Nigerians have been subjected to.
Speaking on the topic, ‘The Blessings of Death’, the cleric described the late Akeredolu as a very courageous man “who impacted meaningfully in the lives of his people. He was enthusiastic in giving birth to Amotekun such that in Ondo State, you cannot see my cow wandering about. This, we still see in Abuja up till today. He was a courageous and pragmatic leader and we bid him farewell today.”
While he urged local, state and Federal governments to take drastic measures about the hike in food prices, he said: “There is no point hiding the fact that Nigerians are frustrated. Nigerians are hungry, and Nigerians are angry. The hardship, insecurity, poverty and unemployment in the country are what is going on and nobody can pacify anybody.
“While appreciating the fact that the Federal Government is championing the socio-economic results with us, we have to say that there has been unparalleled hardship on Nigerians. The siphoning of funds has aggravated the sufferings of Nigerians, and cries have greatly increased. Scores of Nigerians are falling victim to criminals, resulting in the loss of ancestral lands. There is economic paralysis and widespread insecurity.
“What Nigerians are experiencing is not what the President promised us. The President told us that we should put our minds at rest; and that prices of things will come down. Unfortunately, nine months into the government, everybody is in pain. We have been moving from one problem to the other since May 29, 2023.”
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