Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu
Encyclopedia
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, or Rotimi Akeredolu, (born 21 July 1956) is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who became president of the Nigerian Bar Association
in 2008.
, Ondo State
.
He attended the Loyola College in Ibadan
.
He went on to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University
) to study Law, graduating in 1977.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar 1978.
. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006).
In November 2009 he face allegations of corruption when the Bar Association’s Third Vice-President, Welfare Secretary and Assistant Financial Secretary circulated a petition entitled "Complaints against your fraudulent manifestations, violation of the NBA".
In a lecture in December 2009, Akeredolu said no amount of electoral reform or judiciary system could give Nigeria free and fair elections, if Nigerians themselves refused to take practical steps to ensure that their votes count.
Later that month he stated that Umaru Yar'Adua, the President of Nigeria should have handed over to Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan
in an acting capacity during his illness, a statement that was backed up by the Nigerian Bar Association who said he was authorized to speak on their behalf.
In an interview that month, Akeredolu said that he had become well known and respected as president of the Bar, and described himself as a progressive. If elected, his priorities would include agricultural development, fish farming for export, improvements to education, jobs for youths and improved roads. He would provide free education and primary health care. He was in favor of increased subsidies and greater local control over public spending.
Nigerian Bar Association
The Nigerian Bar Association is the umbrella body of all lawyers admitted to practice law in Nigeria.Any lawyer who satisfies the members of the Body of Benchers that they have good character and proficiency in the Bar Final Examination from the Nigerian Law School is automatically admitted.The...
in 2008.
Birth and education
Akeredolu was born on 21 July 1956 in OwoOwo
Owo is a town in the Ondo state of Nigeria. Between the years 1400 and 1600 AD it was the capital of a Yoruba city-state.-Etymology:According to Owo historian Chief Ashara, the name Owo derives from the first ruler, or Olowo, named Ojugbelu...
, Ondo State
Ondo State
Ondo State, Nigeria was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It originally included what is now Ekiti State, which was split off in 1996. Akure is the state capital.-Government and society:...
.
He attended the Loyola College in Ibadan
Ibadan
Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo State and the third largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano, with a population of 1,338,659 according to the 2006 census. Ibadan is also the largest metropolitan geographical area...
.
He went on to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University is a government-owned and -operated Nigerian university. The university is in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria...
) to study Law, graduating in 1977.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar 1978.
Career
Akeredolu was appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997-1999. In 1998 he became a Senior Advocate of NigeriaSenior Advocate of Nigeria
Senior Advocate of Nigeria is a title that may be conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria of not less than ten years' standing and who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession...
. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006).
In November 2009 he face allegations of corruption when the Bar Association’s Third Vice-President, Welfare Secretary and Assistant Financial Secretary circulated a petition entitled "Complaints against your fraudulent manifestations, violation of the NBA".
In a lecture in December 2009, Akeredolu said no amount of electoral reform or judiciary system could give Nigeria free and fair elections, if Nigerians themselves refused to take practical steps to ensure that their votes count.
Later that month he stated that Umaru Yar'Adua, the President of Nigeria should have handed over to Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan
Goodluck Jonathan
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON is the 14th Head of State and current President of Nigeria.He was Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 to 28 May 2007, and was sworn in as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29 May 2007. Jonathan is a member of the...
in an acting capacity during his illness, a statement that was backed up by the Nigerian Bar Association who said he was authorized to speak on their behalf.
Governorship candidate
In November 2011, Akeredolu was among a crowd of aspirants to be Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for Governor of Ondo State in the 2013 elections.In an interview that month, Akeredolu said that he had become well known and respected as president of the Bar, and described himself as a progressive. If elected, his priorities would include agricultural development, fish farming for export, improvements to education, jobs for youths and improved roads. He would provide free education and primary health care. He was in favor of increased subsidies and greater local control over public spending.