Jimoh Ibrahim, Oyebanji, Adegoroye, Oke, others applaud Akeredolu at book launch

By: Adeboye Ado

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has been applauded for his courageous stance on biting national issues troubling the country, particularly insecurity ravaging some States in SouthWest.

Akeredolu was also praised for lending his unshakeable voice in support of Southern Presidency which produced the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the February 25 general election.

The Governor was commended yesterday at the launch of a book on him entitled, “AKETI: The Courage to Lead in Trying Times”, authored by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, at the International Events Centre (The Dome), Akure, the State capital.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, said the Governor had creditably performed beyond the expectations of the people.

Adegoroye, who wrote the foreword of the book, said the author holistically x-rayed the Governor’s activities in the last six years and came up with an exact conclusion on the unique character and good disposition of Akeredolu towards urgent daunting issues.

The Minister noted that the governor exhibited bold courage during the perilous time in the Sunshine State, maintaining that the Governor deliberately took the bull by the horn so as to secure peaceful Ondo from external attacks.

Amplifying the good deeds of Akeredolu, the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, lauded his Ondo State counterpart for living up to expectation through his firm stance on the Southwest Security Agency codenamed Amotekun.

Represented by the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Omolara Adubiaro, Oyebanji gave kudos to Adeniyan for taking large chunk of his time to prepare the book which spotlights the feats of Akeredolu.

The Ekiti Governor, however, urged the Chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum to sustain the pace at which he places priority on the welfare of Ondo people.

While launching the Book as the chairman of the event, Senator-Elect and founder of University of Fortune, Igbotako, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR, said, Governor Akeredolu has indeed led and continues to lead with courage in our nation’s trying times.

Jimoh Ibrahim argued that Akeredolu’s weakness was much lesser than his strength and this, he said, gives the Governor an edge above his counterparts across the federation.

The Senator-Elect, who made generous and double donations while launching the book, commended the author for his efforts and encouraged him to consider breaking the book into series in future.

Also, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Olusola Oke, described Akeredolu as a dogged fighter for justice, equity and fairness, just as he applauded the author for documenting the efforts of the governor.

While appreciating the guests and launchers, Governor Akeredolu expressed implicit satisfaction with the contents inside the book, saying the author painstakingly captured his critical standpoint on daunting national issues which was obviously surmounted after he raised alarm.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, noted that his persistent calls for a better Nigeria yielded positive results, adding that the recently held elections truly reflected the wishes of the people.

“The outcome of the just concluded general elections showed that majority of Nigerians hearkened to our persistent calls for a just country and they have displayed their sense of patriotism at this crucial period in the history of democratic governance in the country”, he said.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his recent assent to some Bills that support devolution of powers, the Governor further re-emphasized his calls for restructuring, saying there was the need for the country to imbibe the tenets of true federalism.

However, the author of the book who is also the publisher of TRACE News Magazine, Adeniyan, described Governor Akeredolu as a leader that prosecutes his convictions with courage.

“Maintaining your honesty and audacity and selflessness in the face of challenges is inspirational… fighting for the people even at the expense of your personal interest and comfort is a trait that all of us must learn to master” , he said.

At the event, Adeniyan presented a cheque of N1m to his alma mater, CAC Adu Memorial High School, Akure, to help in renovating and equipping the library of the school.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas and Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, the Olowa of Igbara-Oke, Oba Francis Adefarakanmi Agbede, the Iralepo of Isikan, Oba Olugbenga Ajimokunola, the Iresi of Osi, Oba David Olajide, the State Chairman of the APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, members-elect of the House of Representatives, Mr. Donald Ojogo and Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati.

Others included the book reviewer, Dr. Felix Ale, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade (rtd), High Chief Biopere Ajube,
former Commissioner, Prince Solagbade Amodeni, Chief Demola Ijabiyi, former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Barrister Gbenga Olaniyi and the Head of Service of the State, Pastor Kayode Ogundele.

Members of the governor’s cabinet present included the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Commissioner for Energy, Engr. Razak Obe, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Olayato Aribo, Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Hon. Dele Ologun, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, Special Adviser on Gender, Mrs. Olamide Falana, Special Adviser on Rural Development, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, among others.

Members of the House of Assembly present included Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Hon. Gbenga Omole, Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan and Hon. Ololade Gbegudu.

You may also like

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in News