Fijabi Olanrewaju
ONDO State governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa has said the government was awaiting family members of the late governor of the state, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu for “further briefing on his burial arrangements”.
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that on 12th January 2024, Arakunrin Akeredolu’s family released a detailed burial programme indicating that the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president will be buried on 23rd February 2024 in Owo, his ancestral home.
However, speaking while receiving the new Vice Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokinin, Prof Kayode Ijadunola, who visited him in Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa insisted that the burial of the late former governor won’t be a gloomy affair but a celebration of life.
Aiyedatiwa also said Akeredolu would be given a state burial, noting that his death was a big loss owing to the contributions he had made in all spheres of human endeavour.
His words: “The burial of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredelu will not be a gloomy affair but a celebration of the life of a patriot who was true to life and mankind.”
Aiyedatiwa noted that Elizade University is a fantastic institution, saying the state government holds the founder, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, in high esteem.
Earlier, ljadunola called for a strong collaboration between the Ondo State government and the university.
This was contained in a statement by the school’s Head, Public Relations, Williams Olufunmi.
Meanwhile, in the burial arrangement earlier released by the family, activities for the former governor’s passage will commence on Thursday 15 February 2024 with a crusade to be held in Akure.
The following day, Friday 16, there will be a Jumat Service also in Akure, while on Monday, the 19th there will be a Valedictory Service & NBA Tributes which will take place in Ibadan by 4:00 pm and Service of Songs at All Saints Church, Jericho, and Jacob and Grace chapel, Ologun-Eru simultaneously.
Tuesday 20 February has been set aside for Commendation Service at 10 am at All Saints Church, Jericho, and Lying in State at his residence in Jericho, Ibadan.
Wednesday 21, has been dedicated to the Ondo State programme which takes place in Akure from 10 am.
Service of Songs is slated for Thursday 22 February at Owo, 4-7 pm at St. Andrews Church Owo.
Funeral Service will be held Friday 23rd at 10: 00 am, at St.Andrews Church, while Reception in Owo takes place at Mydas Hotel.
Thanksgiving Service at held on Sunday 25 at 10:00 am, at St. Andrews Church, Owo.
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that there has not been a love lost between the family members of the former governor and Governor Aiyedatiwa. Before Arakunrin died on 27 December 2023, there was a move to remove Aiyedatiwa by members of the Ondo State House Assembly before he became the acting governor and much later the substantive governor.
A truce was however reached following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Eighteen-Eleven Media