Eminent Nigerians including all his five brother governors in the South West – Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Gboyega Oyetola, Osun; Seyi Makinde, Oyo; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos – ; Ondo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; his predecessor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye; the immediate past chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, Gbenga Edema; Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa; Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; and Senate Chief Whip and former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu among several others on Thursday commiserated with Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over the passage of his mother.
Lady Evangelist Grace Bosede Akeredolu, JP, passed on in the early hours of Thursday in her Ibadan, Oyo State capital home, aged 90.
In its condolence message signed by Ondo State Director of Media & Publicity, Leye Igbabo, the PDP said: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter, commiserates with the Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN on the death of his mother, in the early hours of today.
“Mama Akeredolu’s transition to higher glory at the ripe age of 90, is a celebration of life and time of a fulfilled mother whose children are like olive plants round her table.
“Our party shares this trying moment with the governor as he strives to come to the reality of the fact that, his mother is no longer on this side of the divide. We therefore, pray for God’s strength for him and the entire family to bear their mother’s glorious departure.”
In his own message, the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, said: “I have just been on the phone with my older brother and leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, to condole with him over the passing of our dear mother and a special breed amongst mothers, indeed a Mother in Israel, Mama Grace Bosede Akeredolu.
“I am sending my condolences to everyone in the family on this great loss. Mama was so loved and was so good to everyone who knew her. She will be missed by so many.
“Her passing is a great loss, not just for the family but for the many lives she touched during her glorious sojourn on earth. She was a gem, and will be greatly missed.”
The Minister urged the governor to take solace in the fact that Mama lived a worthy, fulfilled life that every one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be proud of.
“Mr. Governor, I’m so saddened to hear of your loss. I am wishing you peace and comfort at this time. Your mother was such a sweetheart, and was so full of so much love for others.
“Iya Olorire ni…a woman who was a special breed and produced great children. She extended the love she had for her children to the children’s friends and indeed to all.
“May her spirit continue to live through you and your family. Her wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts.May her soul rest in peace and light forever.”
On his own, the immediate past governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, in a message by his Special Assistant on Media and Digital Communications, John Paul Akinduro, said that Lady Akeredolu dedicated her time to serving the Lord and people.
While describing the passing of the Akeredolu matriarch as painful, he said she lived a selfless service worthy of emulation.
He added that he has fond memories of Mama as an “industrious, accommodating matriarch who opened her doors to friends and acolytes of her children and made all who came in contact with her feel loved.”
Also, Gbenga Edema, the immediate past chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, sympathised with the Governor.
In a statement on Thursday, Edema expressed his condolences to Akeredolu and his siblings and advised the Governor to find comfort in the fact that his mother lived a good life and made priceless contributions to mankind.
Edema, a former lawmaker, who joined the people of Ondo State to mourn the deceased matriarch, praised Lady Akeredolu for being a good and caring mother not just to her children but to everyone around her.
He said the family should take solace in the fact that their matriarch lived to see her children achieve the pinnacle of their careers.
Also, Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described the late Lady Evang. Akeredolu as a devoted Christian leader, supportive mother, confidant and encourager.
The governor said the deceased, during her lifetime, was an epitome of kindness, forthrightness and courage, same qualities which her son, Governor Akeredolu exhibits as a lawyer and public servant.
Fayemi noted that the late Madam Akeredolu was a rallying point for the Akeredolus following the departure of their patriarch many years ago and did not fail in standing in the gap for them till she breathed her last.
He noted that though the departed lived to a ripe age, the vacuum created by her demise would make her children and close associates who usually looked up to her for prayers and wise counsel miss her sorely.
“I commiserate with my dear brother, Governor Akeredolu on the passing of his beloved mother, Lady Akeredolu. Mama was a woman of grace, blessed by God. She did not only give her children good education and supported them, she witnessed their greatness. She was a rallying point for many of us who are close to the family.
“Although her passing would leave a vacuum, it is a glorious exit, a celebration of life well spent in the service of God and humanity with attendant positive impact on the lives of many.
“On behalf of my wife, the government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with my brother, the Governor of Ondo State and the entire Akeredolus on this irreparable loss. May God grant the departed beloved mother eternal rest,” Fayemi said.
On his own, Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, prayed to the Lord to comfort Akeredolu and his entire family on the loss of their matriarch.
He described the deceased as a respected community leader and great mother who raised her children with the fear of God and instilled in them sound moral character and discipline.
He urged Akeredolu and the rest of the family to find solace in the fact that she lived a long and fulfilled life dedicated to the service of her creator and humanity, adding that she lived long enough to witness and share in the successes of her children.
Oyetola, who said the deceased would be missed especially for her counsel and guidance, urged the family to keep her memories alive by upholding the virtues of compassion, love, sacrifice, and community service she was known for.
“On behalf of my family, government, and the good people of Osun, I commiserate with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and the entire Akeredolu family on the loss of their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu.
“As Governor Akeredolu and the rest of the family mourn, I pray God Almighty to comfort them, and also grant the soul of Mama eternal rest,” Oyetola said.
Also commiserating, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in the statement signed by his chief press secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, expressed his heartfelt condolences to Akeredolu, his family and prayed to the Lord to grant repose to the soul of the late Madam Akeredolu, whom he said, lived a good life.
He described the deceased as a woman of virtue and a great woman, saying: ”I commiserate with my Egbon, who is also the chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on the death of his mother, Mama Grace Akeredolu.
“I equally express my condolences to the government and good people of Ondo State and I pray to the Lord to grant repose to Mama’s soul and to grant the entire Akeredolu family the fortitude to bear Mama’s loss.”
Also, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun in a statement by his chief press secretary, Kunle Somorin described the death of the deceased as painful, even at her advanced age of 90.
The deceased, he said, was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who would be missed by everyone she met while she was alive as well as by his biological children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Abiodun urged Akeredolu not to grief, but be consoled with the fact that his mother transited to her Lord in His service and that of humanity.
Describing the late Lady Evangelist as a virtuous woman and a devout Christian, whose life impacted positively on members her family and community, the governor noted that her life was encapsulated with good deeds, service, industry and humanitarian gestures
“Though Mama has gone to be with her Lord and Creator, her life was enough a lesson for all of us to learn from. As a devout Christian, she served the Lord with all her heart and ensured that her family members, friends and acquaintances, all benefited from her caring and warm disposition.
“We all shall continue to remember her for good; her life is indeed worthy of emulation as she epitomized virtuousity and piety.
“At this time, we should not grief, but celebrate the joining of the Saints Triumphant by our dear Mama.
“I pray that our Lord will grant Madam Akeredolu eternal rest in His bosom.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Ogun State, I express my heart-felt commiseration with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the government and the people of Ondo State, on the passing of Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu. May her soul continue to find repose in the Lord.”
In his condolence message, Sanwo-Olu wrote: “I received the news of the passing of Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, mother of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu earlier today with profound sadness.
“My condolences and sympathy are with Arakunrin Akeredolu, his siblings and the entire family.
“It is no doubt that Mama lived a fulfilled life at age 90 and saw her children attaining great heights while she was alive. While we mourn the transition to glory of Mama, we must express gratitude to God for a life well spent in the service of God and humanity because Lady Evangelist Akeredolu faithfully served God till the end.
“It is my prayer that God will comfort the entire family and all the loved ones left behind.”
Okowa condoles with Akeredolu over mother’s demise
Also, Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, while condoling with Akeredolu, the government and people of Ondo state, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba on Thursday, urged him and members of his family to take solace in the fact that their mother lived a good life during which she made invaluable contributions to the course of humanity.
He paid glowing tribute to Lady Akeredolu for being a good mother and joined the family and people of Ondo State to mourn the departed matriarch of the Akeredolu family.
According to the governor, the family should be consoled in the fact that their mother lived to witness the successes of her children, including the emergence of Rotimi as governor.
“We received the news of the demise of your beloved mother with sadness, but we are consoled by the fact that she lived a life of dedicated service to the Lord and humanity.
“Lady Evangelist Akeredolu was a strong pillar in her community, a disciplinarian and a devout Christian and would be missed by all those whose lives she affected in many ways.
“We share in your sorrow and pains at this period and we pray that God will grant you and the family the courage to bear the loss, and we also pray for the repose of the soul of your departed mother.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I mourn with you, my brother Governor, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on the demise of your beloved mother,” Okowa said.
Also, Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Kalu prayed to the Lord to give Akeredolu the fortitude to bear the loss.
The former governor of Abia urged the Akeredolu family to take solace in the fact that that their late matriarch lived fulfilled and purposeful life dedicated to the service of God and of humanity.
He noted that the deceased instilled good moral values in her children and in loved ones as she left behind remarkable legacies for her family members to uphold.
“I convey my heartfelt condolences to Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State over the demise of his mother, Evangelist Grace Akeredolu.
“Mama was a devout Christian who committed her resources to the service of God and of mankind.
“Judging from the personality of Gov. Akeredolu, it is obvious that his mother was a woman of virtue.
“I urge the governor to sustain the worthy legacies of his mother,’’ Kalu wrote.
