The town of Owo, Ondo state, stood somber on Friday as it bid farewell to one of its most esteemed sons, the late Rotimi Akeredolu. Laid to rest on February 23, 2024, the former governor's funeral service took place at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, drawing a crowd of mourners from all walks of life.
Dignitaries including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside various state governors, politicians, family members, friends, lawyers, and residents of Ondo state, gathered to pay their respects to the departed leader.
Akeredolu's journey alongside his beloved wife, Betty, began during their one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) stint in Enugu state, a testament to the enduring bond that defined their relationship.
During the late governor's illness, Betty faced unwarranted criticism, accused by some of wielding undue influence over state affairs and impeding her husband from delegating power to his deputy governor. In her poignant tribute, Betty addressed these criticisms, lamenting the loneliness of facing ridicule alone and defending her late husband against accusations of weakness.
Asserting that Akeredolu's love for her did not signify weakness but rather strength of character, Betty challenged societal norms and questioned the understanding of love among their critics. Drawing attention to the prevalence of domestic violence and gender-based mistreatment in some households, she emphasized the universality of love and the power of their enduring bond, which transcended ethnic boundaries.
In her heartfelt address, Betty reminisced about the purity of their love, rooted in a chance encounter that blossomed into a lifelong partnership. She recalled Akeredolu's pride in their relationship and his public declaration of their unity, symbolized by his memorable proclamation that he "voted for one but got two."
In her tribute, Betty said,
Quote
“Darlin,….It’s me, your adorable Betty. You just left me. Just like that! It hurts. Badly it hurts. Now alone to face all manners of mockery from the so-called friends and adversaries alike. Now alone. A beg o! Can an Amotekun generalissimo be a weakling? Mbanuu! It doesn’t add up nau. Haba!”
“Not a few lashed out that you (Akeredolu) were a weakling because you loved me. I don’t think so in their homes while growing up they saw their mothers trampled upon as doormats. By the way, do they know what love is?
“They copied the template and treated their wives as pieces of furniture that can be easily discarded as trash. In many instances, the subjugation was garnished with beatings while the community looked the other way and remained unperturbed by gender-based violence. Beaten up like punch bags.
“They copied the template and treated their wives as pieces of furniture that can be easily discarded as trash. And in many instances the subjugation was garnished with beatings while the community looked the other way and remained unperturbed as gender based violence reigned supreme nationwide.
“In civilised climes, if you beat your wife, jail awaits you even if you are a Governor. They marvel that a Nigerian man can love his wife. To them na only Oyibo man dey love. They are infuriated that a Yoruba man can love his wife who is Igbo. How can? Igbo lasan, lasan!
“Na love at first sight brought us together, biko. No be juju! Na love make me cross the Niger. That love at first sight turned out to be true and pure. And you were proud to say it. You were proud to show it.
“You were even prouder to tell the people of Ondo State and beyond that we were a team. You were audacious to tell your people that “you voted for one but got two”.
“A testimony of my positive contribution to your life and career, emotionally and intellectually.”
“Not a few lashed out that you (Akeredolu) were a weakling because you loved me. I don’t think so in their homes while growing up they saw their mothers trampled upon as doormats. By the way, do they know what love is?
“They copied the template and treated their wives as pieces of furniture that can be easily discarded as trash. In many instances, the subjugation was garnished with beatings while the community looked the other way and remained unperturbed by gender-based violence. Beaten up like punch bags.
“They copied the template and treated their wives as pieces of furniture that can be easily discarded as trash. And in many instances the subjugation was garnished with beatings while the community looked the other way and remained unperturbed as gender based violence reigned supreme nationwide.
“In civilised climes, if you beat your wife, jail awaits you even if you are a Governor. They marvel that a Nigerian man can love his wife. To them na only Oyibo man dey love. They are infuriated that a Yoruba man can love his wife who is Igbo. How can? Igbo lasan, lasan!
“Na love at first sight brought us together, biko. No be juju! Na love make me cross the Niger. That love at first sight turned out to be true and pure. And you were proud to say it. You were proud to show it.
“You were even prouder to tell the people of Ondo State and beyond that we were a team. You were audacious to tell your people that “you voted for one but got two”.
“A testimony of my positive contribution to your life and career, emotionally and intellectually.”
As Owo laid to rest one of its most beloved sons, the echoes of Betty's tribute resonated, reminding all present of the enduring legacy of love and unity that defined the life of Rotimi Akeredolu.
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