Mourning the Loss of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu
The passing of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, has prompted a period of mourning led by neighboring states.
Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti State, took initiative by proclaiming three days of mourning following Akeredolu’s demise.
Akeredolu held prominent positions as the chairman of the South West and Southern Governors Forums, further underscoring the significance of his loss to the region.
Governor’s Proclamation and Condolence
Governor Oyebanji’s announcement of the three-day state mourning, conveyed through his Special Advisor on Media, Yinka Oyebode, detailed that all flags at state-owned facilities would be flown at half mast during this period.
Alongside this proclamation, Oyebanji personally visited Akeredolu’s family in Ibadan, extending condolences.
His expression of sympathy had already been conveyed to the government and people of Ondo State, highlighting a sense of regional solidarity in honoring Akeredolu’s legacy.
Regional Commemoration
This gesture of mourning extended beyond Ekiti State.
Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, had previously declared a three-day statewide mourning period, mirroring the tribute announced by Ondo State.
Akeredolu’s passing in Germany, where he sought treatment for prostate cancer, marked the conclusion of a life devoted to public service.
At 67 years old, his death resonated not only within Ondo State but across the Southwest region, uniting neighboring states in honoring his memory.