Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State, passed away in Lagos on Wednesday, December 27, at the age of 67.
Managed by State House doctors up to his demise, Akeredolu could not be flown abroad for medical treatment.
Key Points About Late Ondo Governor Akeredolu:
- Born on July 21, 1956, in Owo, Ondo State, to Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu.
- Educated at government schools in Owo, Aquinas College, Akure, Loyola College, Ibadan, and Ayetoro Comprehensive High School.
- Middle name “Odunayo” means “Year of happiness” in Yoruba.
- Graduated in law from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1977.
- Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008.
- Adopted the prefix “Arakunrin” and the nickname “Aketi.”
- Assumed office as Ondo governor on February 24, 2017.
- Reportedly succumbed to leukemia.
- A distinguished legal career included being the Chairman of the Southwest Governors.
- Appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997 to 1999.
- Co-founded the law firm Olujinmi & Akeredolu, serving as Managing Partner.
- Faced allegations of corruption in 2009, subsequently dropped by the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association.
- Ran for the Ondo State governorship on the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform in 2012.
- Emerged as the APC candidate for governor in 2016 and won the gubernatorial election.
- Secured re-election in 2020, defeating PDP’s Eyitayo Jegede and ZLP’s Agboola Ajayi.
- Passed away on December 27, 2023, in Lagos.
