….”She (Mama Grace) lost her husband at the age of 50 and lived up to 90. She made a great effort at raising four boys” —Buhari
Who is who in the country and Southwest region today in Owo, Ondo State honoured Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as he buried his late mother, Mama Grace Akeredolu.
She was interred beside her husband in Owo, hometown of Governor Akeredolu.
Those who were there included President Muhammadu Buhari; APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu among others.
Other Dignitaries present at the event included members of the Ondo State House of Assembly led by Speaker Bamidele Oleyelogun, Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State. Former Ondo Governor, Olusegun Mimiko former Interim Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, Senator Ibikunle Amosun amongst others.
Revd Fagbemi, in his sermon, tasked politicians to begin their campaigns tours in hospitals.
He told candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, that God has placed him where he is going to make a difference.
“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 poor. Nigeria needs a change that will ensure safety and security in villages. We need a government that understands economics. Life is hard in this country. Let our leaders be careful to help us move things forward. The best place to start campaign is hospital.”
Revd Fagbemi urged Governor Akeredolu and his siblings to immortalise their mother because she lived a life of service to God and humanity.
Akeredolu, in a response to sermon delivered by Revd Stephen Ayodeji Fagbemi, said there were crops of politicians in the Southwest the people could be very proud of.
According to him, “We have listened to to your political 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 Southwest we can be very proud of. Not all of us shall die. We shall be here when Christ shall come.”
President Mohammadu Buhari who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the life of the mother of the Ondo Governor deserved celebration.
According to him, “Today is a day of great joy. We have reached where we must celebrate one 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.”
Tinubu, on his part, urged Nigerians not to give up on politicians. He said the APC would do better
“Thank God we are alive, there might be weaknesses and inadequacies in expectation. no one wants failure. You cannot give up on us. We will do better. We will contribute to the improvement you might want. Mama has given us the Grace of the day that she will not be the one to bury us.”
