Governors, former governors, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere; Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, among others, on Thursday paid tribute to the late former Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, commending his courage, vision and campaign for state police.
The tributes came at a posthumous 70th birthday colloquium organised in his honour, held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI) by the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Foundation, themed, “Fundamentals and Governance of State Policing: Towards a New Architecture for National Security in Nigeria.”
Speakers at the colloquium noted that Akeredolu’s advocacy for decentralised policing, true federalism, justice and stronger regional cooperation had continued to influence national conversations on security and governance.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said Akeredolu played a significant role in advancing the debate on state policing and a new security architecture for Nigeria.
Aiyedatiwa said Akeredolu’s establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, with other South-West governors, demonstrated the need for communities and subnational governments to have a meaningful role in protecting citizens.
He said the initiative had moved beyond its regional context to become part of the national conversation on state police.
Also speaking, Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, said Akeredolu’s vision for state police would not die.
He said the strongest tribute to the late governor would be to complete the work he started, especially his advocacy for decentralised policing and a stronger regional security architecture.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, described Akeredolu as a courageous defender of the defenceless whose commitment to justice, equity and the common good transcended political affiliations.
Fayemi said Akeredolu’s relentless campaign for multi-level policing was now yielding results, noting that the proposed state police framework was going through the various state assemblies.
Besides, Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Dr Seye Oyeleye, said Akeredolu demonstrated through Amotekun that regional and state policing could work.
Oyeleye described the late governor as a “warrior” who remained determined to champion the regional security initiative despite opposition.
Secretary to the Lagos State Government, ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also joined other dignitaries in paying tribute to Akeredolu.
The Ekiti State Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro, who represented Governor Biodun Oyebanji, also attended the event.
Afenifere, through its Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, and the President of the NBA, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), represented by Ikeazor Akaraiwe (SAN), also lauded Akeredolu’s courage, visionary leadership and commitment to justice.
