By Sola Ebiseni

THE week ending February 25, 2023 will remain in the memory of the people of Ondo State for a long time. Indeed, it has registered itself in our annals of reference as a week two of the State’s illustrious sons were willy-nilly surrendered to the invincible mouth of mother earth in its insatiable lust for the bodies of mortals.

Should we really quarrel with the earth, which body itself is injured and ripped open that human remains be kept away. Who really says that the earth loves to perform the role of the sepulchre of the rots and rusty.

Truth it is, as reasoned by Shakespeare, that death is a necessary end that comes when it comes. What is left is for humans to look for sweet words in consolation of that they could not control. It is not the fault of the earth but of alubuntu.

And so, the northern Senatorial District of the Sunshine State played host to people from all walks of Nigerian life and beyond as our Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu returned, received and celebrated for the whole of the week by the people. From Ibadan through Akure and finally to the city of Owo where he rested with his fathers.

At the ancient city, the auditorium and sprawling arena of the Cathedral of Saint Andrews Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion and indeed the entire city celebrated and paid last respects to Aketi. He was 67.

The large crowd has its various faculties and departments. Aketi’s family was led by his vocal widow, Betty Anyawu Akeredolu, who, through her written  tribute, revealed that she sticks to her worldview of pragmatism unlike the late husband who was religious and “wore it on his sleeves”. Yet unlike conventional expectations in several relationships, they accepted their different faith views and loved each other till death now cruelly and unfortunately did them part.

This phenomenon is in accord with Yoruba philosophy which celebrates faith pluralism. It is not uncommon and indeed a normal occurrence in Yoruba land where every family has diverse beliefs about faith. 

One Permanent Secretary, a fine gentleman who also served in the same Ministry with me as Commissioner and still my friend, is a Christian and church leader while his wife,  an Alhaja, also a  top civil servant, is a devout Muslim who proudly dorns her hijab. Her husband too is unperturbed,  if I may paraphrase Her Excellency, that she wears her faith around her face. I always proudly first ask after Alhaja whenever I speak with the husband. The family too incidentally is from Owo.

To the Bishops of Owo Diocese, other Dioceses and congregation of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Aketi, in addition to being Governor was our member and intended the Chancellor of his Diocese where his burial service held. The legal community was fully in attendance by the Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola represented by Justice of the Supreme Court,  Helen Ogunwumiju, the Ondo State judiciary led by the Chief Judge Olusegun Odusola and the judges and lawyers in their numbers to celebrate one of our own, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Of course, the political family, without partisan colouration, comprising politicians across party lines, was the largest and its faculty of many departments. Clearly distinguishable was the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kassim Shetima, who led the group comprising the Secretary to the Federal Government, Governors present and former, Federal and state lawmakers, Ministers and State Commissioners, to mention but a few.

 The department of politicians, noticeably those seeking to succeed the Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa tenure, was  unmistakable. Their supporters and well-wishers might have contributed most to the crowd at the funeral.

 In honour of Aketi, all combatants sheathed their swords except for the ubiquitous social media practitioners who are looking for statements to twist against their principal’s opponents.  The talking-drummers and other itinerant entertainers did their researches on the gubernatorial contestants across parties whom they readily hailed while expecting their pockets to open. They also paraded POS for those who prefer cashless transactions.

As part of Aketi’s indelible legacy there was a carnival of the Amotekun Security Corps in their red uniform in smart attention providing security at the burial of their initiator and Commander-in-Chief. Aketi will be remembered, above all, for his uncompromising stand in defence of true federalism, the imperative of which is State Police.

The news on the 15th of February of the death of Alhaji Fatai Adams, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State was most shocking and devastating not only because there was no prior notice of his being ill but also very much vibrant at the relatively young age at 56. 

As said in my  tribute, Fatai, as  fondly called by all, was not only a democrat, legislator as a former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, but also an accomplished party administrator having calmly managed the affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party at its apex as Deputy State Chairman and Chairman with a package of glorious achievements before his demise at a relatively young age.

The party at the state level declared a closure of the party Secretariat with flags flying at half mast for three days in a statement released by the state Publicity Secretary of the Party, Kennedy Peretei, who described Adams’ death as shocking, sad, traumatic and devastating.

The mixed crowd of Islamic leaders and eminent politicians at the eighth day Islamic prayers (fidau) held in his honour at his Irun-Akoko country home on Thursday February 23 eloquently testified to his dexterous blend of political accomplishments and uncompromising devotion in the service of the Almighty Allah.

The crowd of politicians from various political parties included the National Publicity Secretary of the party and son of the soil, Debo Ologun-Agba, South-West Chairman, Kamarudeen Ajisafe, Eyitayo Jegede SAN, Benson Amuwa, Bamidele Akingboye (OBA)  and several other leaders, including party faithfuls from across the state, particularly of the Akoko region.

The leadership of the Islamic  community from all the states of the South-West, including the Chiefs Imam of the Akoko area, were also present.

The outgone week was no doubt momentous in Ondo State. It stressed us to the very limits as we had to commit to mother earth, our Governor, Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu and Fatai Adams, the state Chairman of the PDP. For these men, it is indeed not life or its longevity that matters, but the impact thereof on humanity.

Nigeria, we hail thee.

Ebiseni is Secretary General, Afenifere.