Legal luminaries and other members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) extolled the virtues of the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, describing him as a great achiever and legend.

They stated this at a special tribute held in Ibadan on Monday in honour of Mr Akeredolu, who died on December 27, 2023, at a German hospital where he was receiving treatment for a protracted illness.

Those who spoke at the occasion included the national president of the NBA, Yakubu Maikyau; the chairman of the Council of Legal Education (CLE), Emeka Ngige; and the Oyo state attorney-general, Abiodun Aikomo.

The late former governor was chairman of the NBA, Ibadan branch, between 1992 and 1993, patron of the branch from 2017 to 2023, and president of the association between 2008 and 2010.

Mr Maikyau, SAN, in his tribute, said that Mr Akeredolu was a courageous, diligent, fearless, and truthful leader who served humanity and the country diligently.

“He was ready to lay down his life to defend anyone; he was a great achiever and legend who will continue to live in the minds of all of us,” Mr Maikyau said.

Also speaking, Mr Ngige, SAN, said Mr Akeredolu impacted positively in all sectors of the national economy, aside from the judiciary.

“He contributed immensely to the development of the entire country; his mourning is coming at a time when we need him most.
“But, we celebrate the life that he lived and pray God grants him eternal rest,” Mr Ngige said.

In his own remarks, Oyo state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Abiodun Aikomo, said that the deceased lived a glorious and fulfilled life.

“We, too, should think of how we can be courageous and always stand for the truth.

“We are all proud of him and know that his memory will be a blessing,” Mr Aikomo said.

Chairman of the NBA, Ibadan branch, Folasade Aladeniyi, said that Mr Akeredolu would be remembered as a man who lived a selfless and impactful life, saying he was without bias of any kind.

“He was a friend, a father, and lots more to all of us. His last act of benevolence to NBA Ibadan, even on a sick bed, was in September 2023.

“He was the single highest donor to the extension of the ongoing bar building project; his keen interest was that the building be completed in record time.

“To honour Akeredolu, who was a proponent of state policing, President Bola Tinubu, on February 15, gave tacit approval to the establishment of state police in Nigeria, which, hopefully, would be followed by necessary constitutional amendments to bring it to reality.

“I pray God spares our lives to live well as he did; his death is indeed a big loss to NBA Ibadan,” Mr Aladeniyi said.

Other members of the association who spoke at the occasion gave good testimonials about the late governor, saying that Nigeria needed people of integrity and honour like him.

Mr Akeredolu will be buried in Owo, his hometown, on February 23.

(NAN)