The governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu died on Wednesday morning, December 27, 2023, at age 67 after a prolonged illness.
The Ondo State Government confirmed the death of Akeredolu, saying the governor died of prostrate cancer while receiving treatment in Germany.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, announced the governor’s death in a statement.
“Mr. Governor peacefully departed from this world in the early hours of today, Wednesday, December 27, 2023,” she wrote.
“This tragedy has left behind a profound void in our hearts. Governor Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical treatment in Germany. He succumbed to complications arising from protracted prostate cancer.”
Ademola-Olateju said a letter has been sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to inform him of Akeredolu’s passing, adding that the family and the state government will release further details regarding the funeral arrangements.
The Ondo State governor, who had a long battle with illness, returned to Nigeria in September after embarking on a three-month medical leave in Germany.
In December, he handed over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on December 13, for him to travel to Germany for treatment after his health reportedly worsened in line with the 1999 constitution.
Here are 13 things you may not know about Rotimi Akeredolu:
1. Akeredolu was born on 21st July 1956 in Owo, Ondo State to the Late Rev. J. O Ola Akeredolu of Owo and Lady Evang. Grace Akeredolu of Igbotu Ese Odo Government Area of Ondo State. He started his primary education at a government school in Owo and then proceeded to Aquinas College, Akure, Loyola College, Ibadan, and a comprehensive high school, Ayetoro, for his secondary school education and Higher School Certificate, respectively.
2. Akeredolu was admitted into the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University in 1974 popularly known as Oba Awon University. He obtained his LLB degree in 1977 and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School for his B.L in 1978. He was Vice President Student Union in the 1975/76 session.
3. His middle name Odunayo means “Year of happiness” in Yoruba.. His adopted prefix is “Arakunrin”, while his nickname is “Aketi”.
4. He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who became president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008. Akeredolu was also a Managing Partner at the law firm of Olujinmi & Akeredolu, which he co-founded with Chief Akin Olujinmi, a former Attorney General and Minister for Justice of Nigeria.
5. Akeredolu was appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997 to 1999. In 1998, he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006).
6. In November 2009, he faced allegations of corruption when the Bar Association’s third Vice-President, Welfare Secretary, and Assistant Financial Secretary circulated a petition entitled “Complaints against your fraudulent manifestations, violation of the NBA”. Subsequently, the allegations against him were reviewed and dropped by the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association.
7. On Sunday, 27 November 2016, Akeredolu was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election. Aketi won his re-election as Ondo State governor in October 2020 and was sworn in for a second term in office in February 2021.
8. He was the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, a body with governors of the 17 states in Southern Nigeria as members. Akeredolu also led his other five colleagues in the South-West as chairman, championing many reforms, especially in the area of security, prominent among which was the establishment of the South-West Security Network codenamed Amotekun.
9. Aketi, an ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who due to health issues, never saw him as president since his inauguration on May 29, was a member of the All Progressives Congress.
10. He was the fourth governor to died in office in Nigeria after Kaduna state governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa killed alongside five others in a helicopter crash in Ogbia Creek, Bayelsa state in 2012; Sokoto Governor, Shehu Kangiwa who died in office in a polo accident in January 1982; and Mamman Ali, the then-governor of Yobe state who died in a Florida hospital, United States in 2019 two weeks after he travelled to the country for medical treatment.
11. He was a member, Oyo State Football association, 1992-1994, an associate Member, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Oyo State Branch. He also accepted and became the Patron, The Nigerian Law Society, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Patron, Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Patron The law society, Faculty of Law, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. He was also the Patron, Sports Writers association of Nigeria, Oyo State branch.
12. Aketi was married to Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu and blessed with four children and many grandchildren.
13. He died on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, of prostrate cancer while receiving treatment in Germany. He was succeded by Lukcy Aiyedatiwa (his deputy) as Ondo State governor.