Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has joined other well-meaning Nigerians in the legal profession to commiserate with the people of Owo and the state at large on the death of Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi, the Olowo of Owo.
At the special court session in honour of the late monarch held at the State High Court, Akure, Governor Akeredolu congratulated his people in Owo Kingdom for the gift of the departed monarch whom he described as a rare gem to humanity.
He said the sudden passing of the monarch at a time when the task of nation building calls for men of deep intellect, broad knowledge and experience, the qualities which the late Kabiyesi had in abundance, is most regrettable and painful.
In his Speech titled Celebrating Great Scholar and a Patriot, Akeredolu said since the news of the Oba’s transition broke, precisely one month ago, the news and social media have been awash with sympathies and praises for the quintessential Oba by notable Nigerians across social and cultural divide.
Governor Akeredolu said “Our solemn gathering today, in this hallowed chamber, is not to mourn but to celebrate the life and times of a true patriot, statesman, revered monarch and an illustrious son of Ondo State, Oba David Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, III, CFR, Olowo of Owo, who joined his ancestors, quietly, at the age of 78 on April 17, 2019.
“Beyond the exigencies of duty and professional camaraderie, which mandates our participation at an event such as this solemn one, I feel this loss at a personal level as an Owo son.”
The governor said the late monarch’s flair for academics and love for human development saw him leaving the courtroom for an appointment as a lecturer at the Nigerian Law School in 1975 where he had the opportunity of raising generations of lawyers.
He said: “ I stand before you all, my Lords, colleagues, friends and well-wishers, to announce, with pride, that I drank from this fount of immeasurable intellect. He was an exemplar at the Law School.“
Meanwhile, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye also described the late Olowo of Owo as a man with good legacies.
Adeboye stated this during an interdenominational service held in honour of the late monarch.
The cleric represented by Pastor Joseph Obayemi, the National Overseer of RCCG, said that the late monarch had written his name on gold, serving God and humanity in his entire life.
He cautioned all and sundry to live their lives in impacting society. According to him, death appointment does not respect age and status, saying that everything becomes useless when death strikes.
Adeboye condemned act of attaching one’s life to power and wealth, adding that there is no permanent residence on earth.
Also, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that late Oba Olateru Olagbegi, played good roles as a traditional ruler in the development of Nigeria. Saraki noted that the late monarch exhibited handwork, diligence and integrity. According to him, the late Olowo impacted and contributed to the development of the country, saying that he would be remembered for long.
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