*Says they will set up joint committee with family
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Friday, disclosed that South West Governors Forum will give a befitting state burial to the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN)
Speaking with journalists during a condolence visit by the South West Governors to the family of late Governor Akeredolu at his Ibadan residence, Gov Abiodun said, the forum will accord Akeredolu a burial that will be befitting of a great statesman and one of the leading lights of the South West region.
The governor stressed that the South West Governors Forum is
committed to ensuring a befitting burial to the late Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum and that towards this, plans are on the way to set up a committee that will ensure that a befitting state burial for the late Governor Akeredolu as a mark of respect and honour that he deserves.
“We are all here, the governors of the Southwestern states. Lagos State Governor will soon be here; he has some flight issues. We are here to commiserate with the family of His Excellency, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who the Lord has called to his side. Without a doubt, we are all still in a state of shock and disbelief”, he said
The Ogun State Governor added, “Governor Akeredolu was the Chairman of South West Governors’ Forum and Southern Governors’ Forum which he held and led courageously. He was a learned Senior Advocate and successful second term governor of Ondo State.
‘’All of us are here on behalf of our families and respective states to commiserate with the family and people of Ondo State. We pray that Almighty God will forgive his sins and repose his soul and grant the wife, the children, family members and the people and government of Ondo State the heart to bear this shocking, sad and painful exit”.
Prince Abiodun noted, “he was an advocate for the Southern Presidency. We recall vividly the reinvigorated Southern Governors’ Forum meeting in Delta State two –and-a-half years ago – that cause the presidency must come to the South.
” He championed the cause that the presidency must come to the South and he stayed with it; among several causes he championed.
Gov Akeredolu will be sorely missed by all of us. The void left will be difficult to fill.
‘’Collectively, we will be partially, majorly responsible for the funeral rite in according him the farewell that he deserves.We will work with the family to give him a deserving farewell. We have spoken with the family. We will be setting up a joint committee of Southwest states to work with the family and the government of Ondo State to make sure we give him a deserving farewell’’.
