The body of the former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has returned to Nigeria in a somber homecoming after passing away in Germany.
The Chief Press Secretary to the late governor, Richard Olatunde, made this known in a post on his X handle. He revealed that the plane that conveyed the body arrived from Germany about 3:39 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024.
The body arrived at the private wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos. As gathered, the remains would be embalmed at a private morgue ahead of the funeral ceremony in February.
The arrival of his body was met with a reception of grieving family members, political dignitaries, and other notable figures.
Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the late governor’s wife, alongside their children as well as the deceased siblings, received his remains at the airport. Prof. Wole Akeredolu, the immediate younger brother of the deceased, was also present at the emotional moment.
In a show of solidarity, governors from neighbouring states also made their presence felt. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, sent his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, as his representative.
Prince Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun State, appointed the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbi Talabi, to attend the arrival ceremony. Also, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State sent representative to the reception of Akeredolu’s body.
The political community in Ondo State was also present, with Ade Adetimehin, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, leading the delegation. A member of the House of Representatives, Gboyega Adefarati, stood alongside them. Several members of the Ondo State Executive Council, including Princess Oladunni Odu, the Secretary to the State Government, also paid their respects.
Akeredolu had passed on on Wednesday December 27, 2023 after a protracted battle with leukaemia. The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) died three weeks after leaving Nigeria for Germany on medical vacation.