By Dr. Olukayode Ajulo
As we commemorate the 70th posthumous birthday of our dearly departed brother, leader, mentor, and patriot, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, I extend my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his beloved wife, children, the entire Akeredolu family, and the good people of Ondo State, whose history has been indelibly enriched by his remarkable legacy.
There are men whose lives are measured by the years they lived, and there are those whose greatness is measured by the values they leave behind. Arakunrin Akeredolu belonged to the latter. As the Scriptures affirm, “The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance” (Psalm 112:6). Though he has departed from our earthly sight, his courage, convictions, and unwavering commitment to justice continue to inspire all who believe in principled leadership.
From him, I like others, learnt that courage is the triumph of conscience over convenience, and that principles are not to be abandoned in difficult times but upheld with steadfast resolve. He lived by the enduring truth that public office is a sacred trust, demanding integrity, sacrifice, and fidelity to the public good. His life affirmed the timeless maxim that character is destiny.
One of the enduring fruits of his stewardship is the continuity of governance in Ondo State. By God’s providence and the supremacy of our constitutional order, His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, FCA, who served faithfully as his Deputy, now carries the responsibility of leading our dear State. This continuity stands steady and reflects the strength of the institutions Aketi helped to build and reminds us that true leadership endures beyond the lifetime of the leader. As the Psalmist declares, “One generation shall praise Your works to another” (Psalm 145:4).
Although Divine Providence called him home before this earthly milestone, his life bears witness to the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:1—that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. The true measure of life is not its length but its devotion to purpose, and Aketi fulfilled his with uncommon courage, conviction, and dignity.
Today, we do not merely remember a man; we celebrate a legacy. His ideals continue to resonate through the institutions he strengthened, the lives he touched, and the enduring values he bequeathed to Ondo State and our nation.
May Almighty God continue to comfort his family, bless the people of Ondo State, and grant us the grace to preserve the ideals for which he stood.
For the righteous never truly die; they live in the values they defended, the lives they inspired, and in the eternal remembrance of God.
Aketi lives on.
May his noble and gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace.
Olukayode Abraham Ajulo, is the Attorney General and Commissioner Of Justice, Ondo State. He writes from Akure.
