Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the presidential candidate of the Congress of all progressives (APC), Bola Tinubu and Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) attended the funeral of Grace Akeredolu, the mother of Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Saturday.
Others at the funeral included APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore; Former Acting National President of APC and former Governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande; former governors Segun Mimiko (Ondo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Donald Duke (Cross River), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and his wife Bisi, among others.
The funeral was held at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, Owo, Ondo State, and was presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Owo, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Stephen Fagbemi.
Hundreds of Anglican and non-Anglican bishops and priests, religious leaders, traditional rulers, judges and lawyers, politicians and captains of industry, as well as family and friends of the deceased attended.
LR: Governor of Osun State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola; his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; wife of the immediate former Governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, her husband, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; the Governor of the State of Ogun, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; son of the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and his wife; Arabirin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu during the funeral service for Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, mother of the Governor of Ondo State, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Church, Owo, Ondo on Saturday, November 12, 2022
Speaking at the event, Mr. Osinbajo commiserated with Mr. Akeredolu and his family on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari and the federal government for the death of the late evangelist.
He said that the late Ms. Akeredolu served God, her family, the church and the community passionately during her life.
“It is a time to celebrate for the great things he has done. The life of our mother, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu is a life worth celebrating. She is a woman who served God from the beginning of her life. She served her family, church, and community for many years. We thank God for her life,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Tinubu congratulated Mr. Akeredolu and his family for celebrating the passing of the family’s matriarch.
“We thank God for his life for the fact that he has the greatest legacy of a life full of achievements, joys and he passed away at a mature age,” he said.
From left to right: Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Bishop of the Diocese of Owo, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Esteban Fagbemi; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; son of the deceased and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN); his wife; Arabirin Betty; the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and others during the funeral of Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, mother of Ondo State Governor, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Church, Owo, Ondo on Saturday, November 12, 2022
Mr. Tinubu, speaking about the need to address the problems facing the country, urged Nigerians not to give up. He promised to do better than the current government if he is elected as the next president of Nigeria.
“You can’t give up on us, we’ll do better. We promise you that for the glory of mom and her legacy, we will contribute to the improvement that you can wish for anywhere,” she said.
In his response, Mr. Akeredolu thanked all the guests for attending his mother’s funeral.
He urged religious leaders to continue praying for the public officials of the country so that they continue to work for the people.
Speaking earlier, Bishop Fagbemi, during his sermon, urged politicians, especially those running in next year’s general election, to visit hospitals, schools and other public places to find out what people are going through.
He said that the Akeredolu family in Owo has done very well for the church and therefore urged others to support God’s work.
From left to right: Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; wife of the immediate former Governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, her husband, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; the Governor of the State of Ogun, Prince Dapo Abiodun; All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the funeral of Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, mother of the Governor of Ondo State, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Church, Owo, Ondo, on Saturday, November 12, 2022
Governor Sanwo-Olu had previously taken pity on his counterpart from Ondo State. He urged Mr. Akeredolu, family, friends and the people of Owo and Ondo States to preserve the legacy of love and prayers left by the deceased.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued by his chief press secretary, Gboyega Akosile, also urged members of the Christian community to immortalize the good name of the late ninety-year-old.