Chief Olugbenga Ale Mourns Akeredolu, says he remains an example of rectitude and moral uprightness
TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND, BOSS AND LEADER: ARAKUNRIN OLUWAROTIMI. AKEREDOLU, SAN, CON – Chief Olugbenga Ale
You have got all the time in the world: whether a thousand years or a day,its all the same to you.
Are we not more to you than a wispy dream no more than a blade of grass that springs gloriousy with the rising sun and is cut down without a second
thought?” Psalm 90:4-6(MSG)
The loss of a very close friend, boss and leader as exceptional as Arakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, SAN, CON, the late Governor
of Ondo State (2017-2023) is undoubtedly a great blow, not just to me as a person, but to his family, the entire Owo land and indeed
Ondo State.
His vision, guidance, commitment and dedication to duty wil be sorely missed, especially by those who had the rare privilege of working closely with him, like me.
Our relationship of mutual love and respect spanned decades.
Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON was an accomplished professional who rose to the pinnacle of his career as the President of the Nigeria Bar Association and connoence reposed in him by his professional colleaques, was elected
sident of the Bar was one of the golden periods of NBA
He used the position to fight the cause of the oppressed, downtrodden and the common man in the society.
It is fair to say that by all
standards, he was a successful politician and legal practitioner.
As Governor of Ondo State, he recorded several landmark achievements in Infrastructural development and human
development.
He broke many landmark jinxes in Ondo State which previous administrations dared not.
A good example that has
remained a reference point was the creation of Local Council Development Areas of which I happened to be the Chairman of the White Paper Committee that was set up to consider the Committee Report.
Against all odds, Local Council Development Areas
were created under his leadership as the Governor of Ondo State.
In addition, under his leadership, the Licence for Port Ondo was
granted the State.
The impact and influence he had on the development and progress of Ondo State cannot be overstated.
His leadership was marked
by deep commitment to the well-being of the populace, His efforts aimed at bringing about positive trajectory in every aspect of our
lives were legendary.
Why some of us are taciturn, he was a dyed in the wool extrovert who was never afraid to say his mind on any
mater that caught his fancy.
He had integrity in abundance. He remained an example of rectitude, moral uprightness,
meant to stand alone, He also instiled boldness and fearlessness to stand for the truth even if it with the right approach, the many challenges confronting us could be overcome, and a bright future achieved for our people.
He stood for quality, integrity, fairness and
self-assetiveness.
Despite his intellectual depth, he never shied away from accepting
Ondo State workers. No request brought to him on the table
or arguments at any given time. He was passionate about
Returning to Akure as late as 4:00pm from any trip did not stop him from retiring to his table to attend to State mater, several times he had to skip his lunch because of work.
As Governor, I doubt If he ever had the opportunity to retire to bed earller than
midnight.
I feel a great sense of gratitude for his positive spirlt and enthusiasm about life.
To him: “life should be
afraid to stand for the truth,” He would say “nothing will happen, this on record that he appionted me as his Chief of staff because
he was convinced I could work with him, not because of any modium of lobbyng.
But for his steadfastness and complete trust in
me, I wouldnt have been reappointed for our Second Term because of the shenanigans of my traducers.
The rest is now history. I
recall with nostalgia, when he appointed me back then, I stood before him and pledged that, rain or sunshine, I would remain
Steadfast and loyal to his cause. On 3rd April, 2023 when he was going on his last annual leave, he charged me, as usual, “Gbenga,
had the golden opportunity to have a tour throughout. On Friday, 22nd September, 2023, the on time
insinuations about Our continued cordlal relationship, he did thank me as above to all negative
churned out about me remained the figment of imagination of the fabricators and the peddlers alike.
He also apologised for his
inability to attend my son’s wedding which held on Saturday, 2nd September, 2023. He was in his full elements. I was happy as he
promised to return to Akure soonest.
Alas! That was the last time we spoke. Osan ja, orun dopa, How the mighty has fallen! Erin
wo, ajanaku sun bi oke,
I commiserate with the adorable wife, Aunty Betty, the children, siblings and the entire Akeredolu Dynasty of Owo Kingdom over this
irredeemable catastrophe.
Adieu my friend, boss and leader.
Chief Otugbenga Ale,
Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor
