BEVERLY HILLS, September 19, (THEWILL) – The matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, and wife of deceased Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, 99, is dead.
The family’s newspaper, Nigerian Tribune, announced her passing on the papers news website, saying she died Saturday.
It was not immediately clear how she died though family sources told www.thewillnigeria.com that she was part of a meeting earlier on Saturday that deliberated on her planned 100th birthday celebration slated for November.
Fayose, Mark, Saraki, Uduaghan Mourn
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Peter Fayose, immediate past Senate President, David Mark; his successor, Bukola Saraki and former Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Saturday extended their heartfelt condolences to the Awolowo family over the death of the matriarch.
Describing her death as a big loss, Uduaghan, in a statement, said her death which came as a shock to him will definitely create a vacuum that will be hard to fill filially, socially and politically.
“Mama has been a rallying point for all. A void has been created by her demise and that source of unity for all, be it political, social or at the family level has gone.
“We cannot help but recall her ability to keep together and sustain the family and business of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. She was a rare courage and mother,” the former Governor said.
In a statement titled, Our Nation Has Lost A Pre-eminent mother, issued by his media office, Saraki said: “I have been enthusiastically looking forward to making a big but surprise visit to Ikenne, Ogun State to be part of the centenary birthday celebration of Mama H.I. D. Awolowo, knowing that she is the last woman standing among the wives and mothers who truly contributed by supporting their spouses in laying the foundation for our nation building.
“To think that she will not be there during the period of the celebration, which is just about two months away, makes me sad, in spite of her ripe age filled with achievements…”
Senator Mark in a condolence message to the Awolowo family, signed by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, described the late HID as the mother of the nation and a dependable pillar who stood to be counted when it mattered.
Senator Mark noted that she was an ideal mother of Nigeria adding that she consistently stood up to offer useful guidance to Nigerians especially during trying times.
“Our mama was always there for us. At several challenging times, she never denied or shied away from offering tangible advice. Her counsel always saved our nation from the precipice…”
Governor Fayose in a statement described her demise as the loss of the real conscience of the Oodua nation, saying her untiring efforts at building and sustaining the unity of the Yoruba nation and ensuring its worthy pride of place within the context of Nigeria’s federal structure will be sorely missed by all. He also said her demise was the end of era.
“The Holy Bible says he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. That was true and real in the life of the late sage Baba Obafemi Awolowo who found a good thing in our dear Mama and called her ‘My jewel of inestimable value.”
“The good qualities of a dutiful wife and caring mother shown by Mama are worthy of emulation. She stood solidly by her husband during those trying moments. She showed resilience when it seemed all chips were down.”
“After the demise of her husband, Mama stood tall to carry on with the great legacies of Baba Awolowo. Even when the vicissitudes of life brought some challenging issues across her path, despite that there was no Baba to lean on, she stood like a rock.”
“Mama Awolowo was a quintessence of honesty, discipline, integrity, modesty and compassion. With Mama’s death, no doubt, the biggest iroko tree in the forest of Yoruba land has fallen and the jewel of inestimable value has finally gone to meet the sage,” the Ekiti Governor said.
