In a gesture of respect for the late former governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, the Ondo State Government has officially declared Thursday, February 22, and Friday, February 23, as public holidays.
Akeredolu, who succumbed to his ailment on December 27 while undergoing treatment in a German hospital, is planned to be buried on Friday in Owo, his native town.
Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Chief Press Secretary for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, made it official on Tuesday by announcing the public holidays in a statement.
His assertion implies that during the upcoming holidays, the residents of the state will have the opportunity to engage in the burial proceedings for the former governor.
‘The Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has declared Thursday, 22nd and Friday, 23rd of February 2024 as public holidays in the state. This is in honour of the former Governor of the State, the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.’
‘The two work-free days will allow the people of the state to participate in the burial activities of the former governor,’ he said.
Moreover, it involves a special court session at Court 1, situated within the Ondo State High Court Headquarters in Akure, while the lying-in-state and commendation service will take place at Akure Township Stadium. Additionally, an evening of tributes is slated to occur at St. Andrews Church on Imola Street in Owo, later today.
On Thursday, February 22, a Service of Songs is scheduled at St. Andrews Cathedral on Imola Street, Owo, while a wake-Keep will be held at Maranatha Villa, also in Owo. Additionally, there will be a candlelight procession and world gyration by the Kegites Club from 8 pm until dawn.
On Thursday, February 22 there will be a Service of Songs at the St Andrews Cathedral, Imola Street, Owo while a wake-Keep holds at Maranatha Villa, Owo. There would be a candlelight procession and world gyration by the Kegites Club at 8 pm till dawn
On Friday, February 23, the funeral service would hold at St Andrews Church, Imola Street, Owo and the interment would follow immediately after the burial service at the burial site, Owo.
Read also: Ondo Lawmakers: Aiyedatiwa Disparaging Akeredolu’s Legacy
On Saturday, there will be Akeredolu Memorial Friendly Football Match at the Akure Township Stadium, Akure while on Sunday, there will be a thanksgiving service at St Andrews Church, Imola Street, Owo.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a commendation service was held in Akeredolu’s honour at the All Saints Church, Jericho, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The funeral service had begun on Monday with two activities, including a Special Court session attended by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, among other legal luminaries in the country.
Speaking at the event held on Tuesday, Rt. Rev. Williams Aladekugbe, the Bishop of the Ibadan North Diocese within the Anglican Communion, eulogized the late Akeredolu, portraying him as a courageous and persistent statesman deeply beloved by his constituents.
According to the cleric, Akeredolu’s steadfastness in establishing the Amotekun security outfit would be etched in memory, alongside his noteworthy tenure as the governor of Ondo State.
He appealed to the government to address the sociopolitical difficulties prevailing in the area as a gesture of honoring the memory of the late governor.
He said: ‘We sincerely appeal to all tiers of government to urgently intervene in the skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs and other items in the country. There is no point hiding the fact that Nigerians are frustrated, hungry and angry. The hardship, insecurity, poverty and unemployment in the country are such that no one can pacify anybody. What we are now experiencing is not what the President promised Nigerians.’
The church service was attended by Governor Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Olaide Adelami; former governors Kayode Fayemi and Donald Duke; former deputy governor Iyiola Oladokun; Chief Iyiola Omisore; Secretary to the Oyo State Government; Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; Speaker, Ondo Assembly, Olajide Oladiji; former ministers, Olorunimbe Mamora and Ademola Adegoroye; and Dr Oba Otudeko.