Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi on Thursday visited Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in Ibadan, to commisserate with him over the passage of his mother, Lady Evangelist Grace Bosede Akeredolu (JP), who died earlier in the day.
Also, their Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, wrote, expressing his condolences and sympathy with the Ondo governor, his siblings and entire family over the incident.
Makinde and Fayemi visited Akeredolu at the Kopindogba, Ibadan the Oyo State capital residence of his late mother.
Also on the condolence visit were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governor of the State, Iyiola Oladokun; leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State led by the Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin; and vicar of the All Saints Church, Jericho, Very Rev. Kalu Ndukwe; among others.
Akeredolu said his mother was very close to him and his siblings since the demise of their father over 40 years ago.
His words: “Undoubtedly, Maami was someone that was close to us. We lost our father over 40 years ago. At the time of his death, I was the only graduate. And we are seven in number. And this woman was able to carry all of us through. Today, we have Professor, Judge, Doctor and all of us are graduates.
“She is a woman who had paid her price. And we owe her a duty. Coincidentally, I was here on Sunday, I spent some time with her here before going to Bishop Francis Wale Oke program where we had dinner. I never knew that would be the last time.”
He thanked his friends and family for their encouragement through their visits, calls and messages.
While noting that the deceased was a great mother, he disclosed that she was particular about comfort for her children.
He said: “My mum, Grace Bosede, was a great woman and mother to all of us. I always say it. I have never paid rent in my life before. I lived in her house behind here till I moved to my personal house. Same for my brothers. I owe her everything in my life. She was particular about comfort for all of us. She is a woman that we loved so much. We will miss her.”
Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who spoke on behalf of the Governors, commiserated with Akeredolu and his family.
He prayed that his brother governor and the entire family be given the strength to bear the loss.
The vicar of All Saint church, Jericho, who prayed for the Governor and his family, said the late Lady Akeredolu lived a fulfilled life and was committed to the work of 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.
She died at the early hour of Thursday, September 15, 2022, at the age of 90 years.
Governor Akeredolu, who is the first child of the deceased, was received by his siblings and close friends at the Kopindogba house of their late matriarch, located at Orogun area of Ibadan.
Already, a Condolence Register has been opened for the late Lady Akeredolu, while sympathisers have continued to throng her residence to commiserate with the family.
.Akeredolu, Fayemi
