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Photos As Akeredolu’s Burial Rites Begin
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Torrent of Tributes were poured on the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, as notable politicians, professional colleagues, church members, and other stakeholders gathered to honour him at the Evening of Tributes and Service of Songs.
The event held at the Jogor Centre in Ibadan on Monday witnessed an emotional outpouring of heartfelt tributes for the late Akeredolu.
The expansive hall was filled to the brim as notable politicians, clergy, professionals, First Ladies, and other dignitaries came together to honour the late patriarch of the Akeredolu family.
Each speaker at the event eloquently described the late Akeredolu as a champion of the voiceless and a defender of the people of the Southwest region and the entire nation.
Distinguished guests in attendance at the Evening of Tributes and Service of Songs included Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, and his wife; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Ade Adetimehin; members of the Ondo State House of Assembly; some members of the state executive council, and former members of the State Executive appointed by the late Akeredolu, led by former Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu.
The late former Governor’s widow, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, received special honour as First Ladies from across the country attended the event.
Notable among them were the Wife of Kwara State Governor; Amb. Dr. Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq; Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Olayemi Oyebanji,l; Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu;
Wife of the Bayelsa State Governor, Dr. Gloria Diri; Mrs. Titilola Adeleke, the Wife of the Osun State Governor; Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola, the Wife of the former Osun State Governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, among others.
Prominent governorship aspirants in Ondo State, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, and Mr. Gbenga Edema, were also present at the event.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Fayemi, paid tribute to the late Akeredolu, saluting his exceptional qualities in the political arena.
He said:”I witnessed his trials and triumphs up close. He was a dear friend, a trusted adviser, and a pillar. As a lawyer and politician, he achieved great success. But his greatest achievement lies in the countless lives he touches
He was the voice of the voiceless. As the chairman of the Southwest governors, he was the commander-in-chief in defending the defenseless people of the Southwest.
“His relentless advocacy for community policing has now gained widespread acceptance, transcending political affiliations.
His greatest joy was serving the public good and building a united nation. He fearlessly spoke truth to power.”
In his brief message, Venerable Dr. S.F.O Jolayemi emphasised the lifelong commitment of the late Akeredolu to serving the Lord until the very end.
He described him as a man who was deeply loved and had a profound impact on many lives.
The cleric reminded the congregation that everyone has a date with death, stressing that no one can live for 200 years.
He urged people to live well and leave behind a positive legacy.
Other speakers at the event included a childhood friend of the late Governor for over 60 years, Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola;
Sir Biyi Adesanya; former Special Adviser to the late Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye, a family friend, Mr. Ayo Sotirin; a friend and professional colleague, Prof. Wole Akintayo.
Head of Chambers, Olujimi & Akeredolu Legal, Mr. Ibrahim Lawal; a long-time staff member of 36 years, Mr. Samuel Iwalewa;
a close friend and professional colleague, Justice Iyabo Yerima; an Aide-de-Camp and family friend, Mr. Tunji Alapini; a business associate, Mr. Kayode Falowo;
Dr. Seye Oyeleye; the late Governor’s younger sister, Justice Bolaji Olajuwon; the first grandchild, Ayomide Akeredolu; and Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu Jnr., the first child.
The funeral arrangements continue today with a Commendation Service at All Saints Church, Jericho, Ibadan.
The Defence Headquarters has clarified the recent public discussions surrounding the neutralisation of a prominent terrorist commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.
A collaborative operation with the United States Africa Command on May 16, 2026, led to the killing of Bilal Al-Minuki.
Following the development, certain media outlets referenced a similar operation from 2024, which involved the elimination of a terrorist commander with the same name.
This has understandably raised questions regarding the identity of the individual who was recently neutralised.
In a statement signed by Somalia Uba, Director of Defence Information, the DHQ said: “It is crucial to note that in the North East region and throughout the Lake Chad Basin, the use of similar or identical names, aliases and nom de guerres is prevalent among ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists.
“This practice is a deliberate part of their indoctrination strategy, aimed at obscuring identities. This fact has been corroborated over the years during counter-terrorism operations in Northeast Nigeria.
“The Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki who was eliminated on May 16, 2026, has been positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance as a senior global operative within the Islamic State network, possessing direct connections to international terrorist coordination, funding and operations across the Sahel. Thus, there is no ambiguity regarding his identity.”
The statement added that the strike represents a significant achievement in the country’s counter-terrorism initiatives.
It said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United States, remain dedicated to dismantling terrorist networks and will continue to disseminate verified information through official channels.
It called on the general public and the media to rely solely on authorised sources to prevent confusion arising from coincidental name similarities.
Three aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who were anointed as consensus candidates by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State for House of Representatives seats have been disqualified by the party.
The three aspirants endorsed by Aiyedatiwa, who have been screened out, were identified as Tajudeen Adefisoye (Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency), Victor Ategbole (Akoko South-East/South-West federal constituency) and Samuel Arowele (Owo/Ose federal constituency).
Others not cleared along with the governor’s preferred aspirants are Seun Ajongbolo (Akoko South-East/South-West federal constituency), Morufu Ibrahim, Oyeniyi Oseni ((Akoko North-East/North-West) and Olaleye Adedipe (Akoko North-East/North-West).
With the reasons for the disqualification of the aspirants not revealed in a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, some aspirants in the state have kicked and condemned the endorsement of the anointed aspirants.
Meanwhile, there was large turnout of APC members on Saturday during the direct primaries conducted across the 203 wards of the state.
In Akur metropolis, party members arrived at the designated wards in their numbers around 8:00 am with the officials of the party doing a headcount of everyone.
At Wards 4, 5, and 8, members of the party were seen queuing behind the poster of the aspirants they are supporting.
Meanwhile, there was an uproar in some of the wards as party faithful lamented that electoral officials were not on the ground to take record of the exercise.
Six suspected Islamic State West Africa Province members, including a bomb expert, were killed early Friday when an improvised explosive device detonated prematurely in Marte Local Government Area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the blast occurred around 7:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, at Jubilaram while the group was assembling the device. The team was led by Abu Umar, identified as a bomb expert, who died in the explosion along with five other militants. Three others were reportedly injured.
Intelligence assessments say the deceased were part of ISWAP’s IED cell operating along the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis in the Lake Chad Basin. The explosion destroyed the site, located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, and is expected to temporarily disrupt the group’s bomb-making operations in the area.
Military sources said the incident could weaken ISWAP’s capability along key routes in the Marte axis. Authorities are considering follow-up air and ground operations to exploit the disruption.
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