Biography of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN)
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN was born on 21st of July 1956 in Owo to Reverend J. Ola Akeredolu of the Akeredolu family and Lady Evangelist Grace B. Akeredolu of the Aderoyiju family of Igbotu, Ese Odo, in Ondo State.
Akeredolu started his primary education at Government School, Owo. He proceeded to Aquinas College, Akure, Loyola College, Ibadan and Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, for his secondary school education and Higher School Certificate, respectively. He attended the Loyola College in Ibadan before he proceeded to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to study Law, graduating in 1977.
In the University of Ile-Ife, his outstanding leadership capabilities soon came into fore spurring him to engage in the politics and governace of the student union at that time. He was elected as the vice-president of the student union, University of Ile-Ife in the 1975/1976 academic session.
Upon graduation, he was called to the Nigerian Bar 1978 where he meritoriously served the Nigerian Bar Association in various capacities at both the state and national levels. The record of his immense service spans almost three decades. Aketi was the secretary general of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan branch from 1985 to 1986. He has been a member of the National Executive Council of the NBA from 1985 till date.
He served as the publicity secretary during the regime of late Alao-Aka Bashorun. A period considered as the golden era of the bar (1988 till 1989). He was also a member of the legal aid council from 1989 till 1991. He became the vice-chairman of the Ibadan branch in 1991 and subsequently, the chairman between 1992 and 1994. He first became a member of the body of benchers at the same time (1997 till 1999) and was subsequently re-appointed in 2006. He remains a member till date.
Aketi, as he is fondly called, was appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997–1999. In 1998, he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He embarked on far-reaching reforms as the state's Attorney General. Some of his achievements are still visible in the state judiciary till date.
He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006).
Aketi was conferred the prestigious title of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the year 1998.
Perhaps, what stands out as the highest point of achievement at the bar was his election, unopposed as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Aketi, as he is fondly called, was appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997–1999. In 1998, he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He embarked on far-reaching reforms as the state's Attorney General. Some of his achievements are still visible in the state judiciary till date.
He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006).
Aketi was conferred the prestigious title of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the year 1998.
Perhaps, what stands out as the highest point of achievement at the bar was his election, unopposed as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Aketi forced himself to the consciousness of the entire country and beyond through what has become his trademark; unyielding opposition to bad governance. He was a member of the governing council, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies between 2008 and 2010, a member of council of legal education, a member of council, International Bar Association and Pan African Lawyers Union during the same period.
He currently serves as NBA representative in the National Judicial council. A devout christian, he is the chancellor of the Anglican church, Owo diocese.
He currently serves as NBA representative in the National Judicial council. A devout christian, he is the chancellor of the Anglican church, Owo diocese.
Aketi is a recipient of myriads of awards including the Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni Association Merit Award, 1995; The NBA award of recognition on the conferment of the SAN title in 1998; Loyola College Old Boys Association Merit Award, 1995; Sportwriters' association Merit Award as a legal adviser, 1995; the Sportwriters' association Merit Award as a patron, 1998 and the Qatari bar assocation award among other numerous awards.
In a lecture in December 2009, Akeredolu said no amount of electoral reform or judicial system could give Nigeria free and fair elections, if Nigerians themselves refused to take practical steps to ensure that their votes count.
In 2012, the Nigerian Bar Association named its new secretariat in Abuja after him with its president citing the reason being the need for "generational identification and recognition of those who had contributed immensely to the development of the association.
In a lecture in December 2009, Akeredolu said no amount of electoral reform or judicial system could give Nigeria free and fair elections, if Nigerians themselves refused to take practical steps to ensure that their votes count.
In 2012, the Nigerian Bar Association named its new secretariat in Abuja after him with its president citing the reason being the need for "generational identification and recognition of those who had contributed immensely to the development of the association.
In an undying quest to serve his fatherland, he initially entered into the governorship race in Ondo state under the flagbearership of the then Action congress of Nigeria now nomenclatized as the All Progressive Congress in the year 2013.
Due to his tenaciuos and selfless nature, he again entered into the gubernatorial race for the second time in the year 2016 under the flagbearership of the All Progressive Congress and on Sunday 27 November 2016 he was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the Ondo State governorship race. He was sworn in as the governor of Ondo State on 24 February 2017 in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.
He married Betty Chioma Anyanwu Akeredolu of Emeabiam Owerri west local government. The marriage blessed is with four successful kids all making their marks in different facets of life.
Due to his tenaciuos and selfless nature, he again entered into the gubernatorial race for the second time in the year 2016 under the flagbearership of the All Progressive Congress and on Sunday 27 November 2016 he was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the Ondo State governorship race. He was sworn in as the governor of Ondo State on 24 February 2017 in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.
He married Betty Chioma Anyanwu Akeredolu of Emeabiam Owerri west local government. The marriage blessed is with four successful kids all making their marks in different facets of life.
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