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…Tinubu Urges Nigerians Not To Give Up On Nigeria, Vote Him As President
BY ABUSATAR HAMED
OWO-NOVEMBER, 12, 2022 – Vice President Muhammadu Buhari has described the late Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu’s existience on Earth as a life that is worthy of celebration.
According to him, the late mother of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu served God, her family, the church and community passionately during her lifetime.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the funeral service held for the deceased at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, Owo, Ondo State and was presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Owo, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Rt. Revd Stephen Fagbemi, Ph.D.
While commiserating with Governor Akeredolu and his family on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government over the demise of the late Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, the Vice President said, “It is a time to celebrate because of great things she has done.
“The life of our mother, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu is a life that is worthy of celebration. This is a woman who served God from the beginning of her life.
“Today is a day of great joy. We have reached where we must celebrate one of the greatest legacy.
“It is a time to celebrate Mama because of the great deeds. The life of Grace Akeredolu is a life worthy of celebration.
“She lost her husband at the age of 50 and lived up to 90. She brought up her children. She made a great effort at raising four boys.
“She did very well indeed. We must thank God because not only did she bring up her children well, but all of them are successful.
“What we must celebrate most is her service to God and mankind. We celebrate the life of a great woman; a woman who served God well and her community.”
Also speaking at the event, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated Governor Akeredolu and his family for celebrating the demise of the matriarch of the family.
His words, “We thank God for her life for the fact that she has the greatest legacy of a life that is full of achievements, joy and she passed on at ripe age.”
Tinubu also used the occasion to reiterated the need to address the problems facing the country, urging Nigerians not to give up as he promised to do better if elected as next President of Nigeria.
“You cannot give up on us, we will do better. We promise you that to the glory of Mama and for her legacy, we will contribute to the improvement you might want anywhere around.
“Thank God we are alive. There might be weaknesses and inadequacies in expectation. No one wants failure”, Tinubu posited.
In his sermon at the burial service, the Anglican Bishop of Owo Diocese, Stephen Fagbemi, urged politicians, especially those contesting in the next year’s general elections to visit hospitals, schools and other public places for them to know what the people are passing through, apparently to form their agenda for the future.
His words, “Go to hospitals and schools and see what Nigeria is like. I encourage you to go to FMC here in Owo to campaign and see what the future holds. The poor are getting poorer. Nigeria needs a change that will ensure safety and security in villages.
“We need a government that understands economy. Life is hard in this country. Let our leaders be careful to help us move things forward. The best place to start campaign is in the hospital.”
The cleric also asked Akeredolu and his siblings to immortalise their mother because she lived a life of service to God and humanity.
He said the Akeredolu family in Owo, Ondo State has been doing very well for people of the state and church of God. He therefore urged others to support the work of God.
Responding, one of he deceased children, Ondo State Governor Akeredolu expressed his gratitude to God and to all dignitaries that turned up for the funeral of her mother.
Akeredolu urged religious leaders to continue to pray for public office holders in the county for them to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
The Bishop, said, “We have listened to your sermon. It was wonderful listening to the sermon. I will not contend with you, but I know as politicians, we are doing our best. It might not be good for everybody.
“You should also say the things we have done. Continue to pray for us so that we will do our best. We will look at it. It is not that we are not trying. We have our shortcomings.
“We have crops of politicians in the South-West that we can be very proud of. Not all of us shall die. We shall be here when Christ shall come.”
It would be recalled that the ancient city of Owo was agog following the attendance of dignitaries from all walks of life over the Celebration of the Akeredolu’s matriarch.
They included hundreds of Anglican and other denomination bishops and priests, religious leaders, traditional rulers, judges and lawyers, politicians and captains of industry, as well as family and friends of the deceased, people of Owo community and Ondo State.
Other dignitaries at the funeral were APC National Secretary, Otunba Iyiola Omisore; former APC interim National Chairman and ex-Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande; the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Abiodun Oyebamiji; the Minister for State for Science And Technology, Senator Olorunmbe Mamora; and members of the Ondo State House of Assembly led by the speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun; former Governors Segun Mimiko (Ondo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Donald Duke (Cross River), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and wife – Bisi, among others.
The late Lady Evang. (Mrs) Grace Akeredolu who died on September 15, 2022 at her residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State at the age of 90 is survived by many children, grandchildren and relatives.
She was buried on Saturday after the funeral service held at St. Andrew Anglican Church, Imola, Owo, headquarters of Owo Local government area of Ondo State.
