•Adeboye, Bakare, 60 bishops, 300 priests to participate
•Ogun dedicates Nov 23 for celebration
President Muhammadu Buhari and the 36 governors are expected at the funeral of the Co-founder/Chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, on November 25.
This was announced by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, at a briefing by the media-sub committee of the HID Awolowo Burial Central Planning Committee yesterday.
At the briefing were the committee Chairman, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Rev Tola Oyediran, the chairman, media sub-committee, Chief Taiwo Alimi and the Managing Director of ANN Plc, Edward Dickson.
The SSG said the government had dedicated November 23 as a special day of tributes.
He said the event would hold at the Sagamu International Stadium, Sagamu, from noon to 4pm, adding that Fuji icon Wasiu Ayinde and other artistes would serenade the guests.
The SSG said: “The governor is the chief mourner. On November 23, the government and the people will be celebrating the Awolowo matriarch . .”
Adeoluwa added that the executive council would deliberate on the proposal by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to immortalise the matriarch and probably approve same on Monday.
Reeling out the events, Mrs. Awolowo-Dosumu said the funeral activities would span 11 days.
She explained that Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, venue of the funeral service, could accommodate only 690 guests, adding that various centres with large television screens had been designated to enable other well-wishers participate in the service.
Mrs. Awolowo-Dosumu said 60 bishops from the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and 300 priests would take part in the service.
She added that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A Adeboye, the Presiding Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare and other anointed ministers of God would participate in the funeral activities.
The committee chairman said no vehicles would be allowed into Ikenne on the day of the burial, adding that shuttle buses would be provided to convey people.
Her words: “Mama’s final journey begins on November 15 with a lying-in-state at Park Lane, Apapa. This would be followed by a Christian Interdenominational Service at the same venue.
“Her body departs for Ibadan on November 16 with another lying-in-state at her husband’s home in Oke-Bola, Ibadan. A commendation service at Agbeni Methodist Church and another by the Liyangu ruling house/HID Awolowo Church, Sagamu, will hold on the same day.
“Mama’s body would thereafter be taken to Tribune House for a lying-in-state and a day of tributes, as the day marks the 66th founder’s day of the Nigerian Tribune.
“On November 17, there would be orations/tributes by various groups, which include Afenifere, Yoruba Unity Forum, Yoruba Council of Elders.
Later in the day, Pastor Bakare would minister at a programme, tagged: “Praise the Lord”.
“There will be a presentation of Mama’s biography “In the radiance of the Sage (The life and times of Mama HID Awolowo)” on November 18 and service of songs by the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Remo, Women Group.
“On November 19, there will be orations/tributes by universities that conferred honorary doctorate degrees on mama and service of songs by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“There will be traditional dance, tagged: “Ode-Iyalu” on November 20, to be followed by Muslim prayers; tributes by Ikenne Development Association; Liyangu, Awolowo, Ligu-Ogodo-Adebowale families and Sadeke Descendants.
“On November 21, theatre artistes, including the Ogunde Yoruba Theatre, will perform “HID Unto Glory”. There will also be a service of songs by choirs from various churches.
“The Apostolic Church would conduct a service of songs on November 22. Various women organisations would celebrate mama on November 23 and a service of songs by the Methodist Church of Nigeria on the same day.
“Pastor Adeboye would conduct a private prayer session for the family on November 24. There would be a Christian wake by the Anglican Communion. These programmes will be preceded by Woro dance in the morning.”