The Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, All Progressive Congress Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and other important personality have graced the burial ceremony of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu’s mother held at St Andrews Anglican Church in Owo on Saturday.
According to the statement released by the Vice President’s aide, Laolu Akande, other dignitaries present as late Lady Evangelist Grace Abosede Akeredolu was laid to rest, are Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
Also in attendance were former Governors of Osun, Cross River, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti States: Chief Bisi Akande, Donald Duke, Olusegun Mimiko, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, among others.
Speaking at the funeral, the Vice President, Osinbajo said that late Grace Abosede Akeredolu’s life is worth emulating, having served God all of her life, raised up her children properly and impacted many others from far and near.
He said “here is a woman who served God from the beginning of her life; lost her husband at the age of about 50, but lived to the age of 90, and brought up seven children — four boys and three girls. And if you look at the four boys alone, you would know she made a great effort.
Just bringing up my dear friend and brother, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu alone, she made a great effort. She did very, very well indeed. So, we thank God for her life.”
Recalling her devotion to the work of God, Prof. Osinbajo said “what we celebrate the most about her is her service to God, her service to mankind. She served all her life in the church.
“First, she was an evangelist for many years in St. John’s Anglican Church in Erinmi and also at another, St. John Anglican Church, Oluwo, both under the Ibadan North Diocese there, serving for so many years.
“She retired at the age of 75 but continued to serve and continued to serve well. She reached the age of 90 before the Lord called her home.
“So, we are extremely proud, all of us who are here today, to celebrate the life of a great woman – a woman of God, a woman who served her family, served her community, served her nation and served her God well.
“And we will continue to rejoice in the knowledge that amongst us once walked such a great and incredible woman,” the VP added.
He observed that the service which had in attendance political leaders including serving and former Governors, the APC Flagbearer, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, several clerics and eminent Nigerians) is a “most auspicious occasion for us to celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ.
“It is a time to celebrate our Lord and Saviour because of the great deed He has done. The life of our mother, Lady Evangelist Grace Abosede Akeredolu is worthy of emulation,” the VP noted.
While praying to God to bless her memory, Osinbajo conveyed the condolences of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to Akeredolu Family and the people of Ondo State.
