By Dr Wale Okediran
Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye
Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky,
In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Conn Bernady (1860- 1902)
‘’There are two ways of spreading light’’ says the celebrated American writer, Edith Wharton ‘’to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it’’
However, in the case of Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (Aketi), both elements were combined. He was the candle that generated the light as well as the mirror that freely reflected the light.
Aketi was a bundle of joy and so much fun to be with. He bubbled over with infectious laughter most of the time, usually with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes, no doubt, planning on whom next he would nickname. His penchant for giving nicknames to his friends and family members was legendary.
Even, his friend, the current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, whom he nicknamed; ‘Ariwo gege’ was also not spared of Aketi’s nicknaming habit.
We met as two idealistic and restless teenagers at the Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro, Ogun State (Compro) where we undertook our Higher School Certificate (HSC) studies in the early 70s.
This marked the beginning of a life-long friendship based on brotherly love, scholarship and mutual love for community service.
From Compro, we moved together to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife) where the seeds of our political activism were planted. While I was at one time the President of the Medical Students Association, Aketi went on to become the Vice President of the Students Union.
His contemporaries at the Students Union platform, were Olusegun Mimiko, who like Aketi, later became the Ondo state Governor as well as Olorunnimbe Mamora, who also went on to become a Lagos State Speaker, Senator and lately, Minister of Science and Technology.
Aketi’s iconic charismatic and leadership skills came forth very early in life when he started hawking bread and eggs for his mother at a very early age.
As the story went, after family prayers every morning, before he left for school, his mother would put a tray full of either bread or eggs on his head and the boy would go hawking at Mobil fuel station at Ajisebutu, a popular fuel station and motor park in Owo.
Apart from hawking, young Oluwarotimi also always lent a helping hand at his mother’s sewing institute where he used to join over 24 apprentices to knit and fix buttons, an activity he cherished. A very diligent and obedient child, he was never reluctant to carry out any domestic duty assigned to him.
A great lover of music and sports, he was at a point, a senior member of the fan club of the 3SC Shooting Stars Football Club in Ibadan to later become the club’s Chairman.
In addition to his political activities at Ife, Aketi was a very important member of the Palmwine Drinkards Club (Kegites Club) where he rose to the important position of the lead singer ‘Songito’.
After our National Youth Service, Aketi and I later reconnected in Ibadan where we both set up our private practices.
While I was solely in charge of my Cornerstone Hospital, Aketi most likely with an eye to a career in politics, went into partnership with his good friend Akin Olujimi to set up the Olujimi and Akeredolu Law firm.
As providence would have it, I preceded him into national politics with my election into the House Of Representatives in 2003. All through my stay at the National Assembly, Aketi supported my political career and was my Lawyer during one Election Tribunal case in which I was involved.
A great lover of Literature and the Arts, as well as a very dependable friend, Aketi once mobilized the entire Ondo State House of Assembly members to the Launch of one my books, TALES OF A TROUBADOUR, which took place in Ibadan on June 6 2019.
He later followed this up in 2021 with his hosting of the Premiere of the Film adaptation of my book, TENANTS OF THE HOUSE in Akure, Ondo State.
A year earlier in 2020, he had commissioned me to write his official Biography, a titanic and emotional-laden project which is almost ready and will by God’s grace, be launched at a later date.
Through his works, life, and achievements, Aketi will continue to inspire generations of Nigerians, both alive and unborn. Brilliant and witty, he used his legal and leadership skills as a voice in portraying dissenting perspectives on various and wide-ranging topics and subjects.
A generous man with no love for wealth acquisition, Aketi has left behind an array of individuals, religious organizations, and various foundations and institutions who are legatees of his profound philanthropy.
He will be remembered for his appreciative, unassuming, approachable and down to earth nature.
A very fearless politician, Aketi was a no-nonsense person who was frank to a fault.
Beneath his pleasant personality, he had a firm belief in his values and convictions, as demonstrated in his various roles as a husband, father, legal titan, politician, and community leader, among others.
Although, as a medical doctor, his long standing failing health especially the diagnosis should have prepared me for any eventuality, it did not sufficiently cushion the jolt brought about his death.
As I mourn the passing of a great friend, brother and colleague, I want to express the condolences of my wife, children and grandchildren to the entire Akeredolu family, his rich coterie of friends, colleagues and mentees, as well as the entire people of Owo and Ondo State in general.
I pray for the fortitude, courage and resilience during these difficult times.
May the good Lord rest him well, amen.
Dr Wale Okediran is a Former Member of House Of Representatives, Abuja, Nigeria and the current Secretary General of Pan African Writers Association
