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  • H. I. D. AWOLOWO 1915 – 2015 ‘Mama died singing, praying’

    H. I. D. AWOLOWO 1915 – 2015 ‘Mama died singing, praying’

    •She was an icon, says Obasanjo

    The Ikenne home of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Hannah Idowu  Dideolu (HID) Awolowo  surged with heavy traffic of Nigerians yesterday. They were eager to sympathise with the family over the death of Mrs Awolowo.

    Mama Awolowo, wife of the foremost politician and first Premier of Old Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, died after a brief meeting with family members.

    The Yeye Oodua of Yorubaland, 99, would have been 100 years old by November 25 this year. Preparation had begun as early as August with many prominent Nigerians, particularly in the Southwest, approached to send in their goodwill messages for collation ahead of the expected centenary birthday.

    Early callers were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Acting Governor of Ogun State, Princess Yetunde Onanuga, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, ex – governor Gbenga Daniel and Secretary to the Ogun State government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa.

    Other sympathisers who visited the Awolowos to condole with them included the state Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, Alhaji Abimbola Awofeso; APC senatorial candidate for Ogun East in the last elections, Mr. Dapo Abiodun; Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the state, Gboyega Isiaka.

    The family said Mama died in the company of her children and also prayed for them as they strategised towards her centenary birthday.

    Her first daughter, Mrs Omotola Oyediran, said her mother spent five minutes with her family, had her routine daily chores – meetings, prayers among others, before she breathed her last by 3:05pm

    “It is with gratitude to God for her remarkable and illustrious life, the entire Awolowo family announce the glorious home calling of our dear Matriarch, Yeye Oodua, Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo on Saturday (yesterday) afternoon.

    “Mama died as gloriously as she lived, she spent the day in the company of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

    “She shared a precious five minutes with them when she went in to pray for them as they met to plan her centenary birthday.

    She died a couple of hours later as she had always wished, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grand children.”

    For Obasanjo, the death of HID is a passing of an Icon, a mother and matriarch of the Yoruba.

    Obasanjo said: “On occasion like this, for all of us in Ogun and Yoruba land nay Nigeria, it is passing of an icon. Normally for us it should be a mixed feelings; mixed feelings because Mama had lived a life most of us would envy.

    “We must thank God because mama has experienced the vicissitudes of life but she died in peace. When I heard, I decided to come because I wanted to be sure. All I was thinking of was the centenary birthday, Mama has been a joy to many, she was  the matriarch of the Yoruba land, faithful and loyal to her husband, supporter and pillar of the family.

    “She was somebody people ran to for advice and counsel and they get the best from her. I pray that God will give the family the courage and wherewithal to bear the challenges of Mama’s death. Each and every one of us must learn a lesson from the good life of Mama and may her soul rest in perfect peace.”

    Also, the Acting Governor, Yetunde Onanuga, said Mama was a role model and mother, describing her demise as a shock since it happened at a time when preparations were progressing towards her 100 years birthday.

    Mrs Onanuga disclosed that the state government would be fully involved in the funeral ceremonies of the late matriarch when it is fixed.

     

  • Mama died praying for us while singing for her- daughter

    Mama died praying for us while singing for her- daughter

    The Ikenne home of the Awolowo dynasty surged with heavy traffic of Nigerians who called to sympathise with the family over the death the matriarch of the family, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo on Saturday.
    Mama Awolowo, wife of the formost politician and first Premier of Old Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, died after a brief meeting with family members.
    The 99 years old Yeye Oodua of Yorubaland would have been 100 by November 25 this year as preparation had began as early as August with many prominent Nigerians, particularly in the Southwest, approached to send in their goodwill messages for collation ahead of the expected centenary celebration.
    Early callers at the Awolowo home included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Acting Governor of Ogun state, Princess Yetunde Onanuga, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, ex – governor Gbenga Daniel and Secretary to the Ogun state government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa.
    The family said the matriarch died in the company of her children and also prayed for them as they planned for her centenary birthday.
    Her first daughter, Mrs Omotola Oyediran said HID Awolowo spent five minutes with her family, had her routine daily chores – meetings, prayers among others, before she breathed her last by 3:5pm
    “It is with gratitude to God for her remarkable and illustrious life, the entire Awolowo family announce the glorious home calling of our dear Matriach, Yeye Oodua, Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo on Saturday afternoon.
    “Mama died as gloriously as she lived. She spent the day in the company of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
    “She shared a precious five minutes with them when she went in to pray for them as they met to plan her centennary birthday.
    ” She died a couple of hours later as she had always wished, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grand children.”
    Obasanjo said HID’s death is the passing of an Icon, a mother and matriarch of the yorubas.
    Obasanjo said: “on occasion like this, for all of us in ogun and yorubaland nay Nigeria, it is passing of an icon. Normally for us it should be a mixed feelings, mixed feelings because Mama had lived a life most of us would envy.
    “However, it doesn’t matter how long our loved ones may stay we will love they stay with us. We must thank God because mama has experienced the vicsitude of life but she died in peace.
    “When I heard, I decided to come becuse I wanted to be sure. All Iwas thinking of was the centennary birthday. Mama has been a joy to many, she is the matriarch of the yorubaland, faithful and loyal to her husband, supporter and pillar of the family.
    “She was somebody people run to for advise and counsel and they get the best from her. I pray that God will give the family the courage and wherewithal to bear the challenges of Mama’s death. Each and every one of us must learn a lesson from the good life of Mama and may her soul rest in perfect peace.”

  • I was looking forward to mama Awolowo’s 100th birthday- Ambode

    I was looking forward to mama Awolowo’s 100th birthday- Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed shock over the death of Chief Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, wife of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna said he was one of mama’s many followers looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday, which is just few months away.

    “Mama would have clocked 100 on November 25 this year. It was going to be a milestone, not just for her, but for our great country. She was the matriarch of the Awolowo family, a well respected dynasty in the history of Nigeria.

    “Mama’s demise at this time is painful, especially coming at a period when Nigeria is gradually enjoying democratic bliss, which her late husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought for till his death.

    “We however take solace in the fact that she lived a fulfilled life. We celebrate her for what she stood for, uniting the Yoruba race for a common course and keeping her family together since the demise of her husband.

    “She was the pillar behind Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacies. She was the backbone of the brand of progressive ideas that defined the politics of the South West in the First Republic and in subsequent Republics,” Ambode stated.

    The Governor prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul and urged her family to draw strength from the legacies she stood for while she was alive.

  • Breaking News: HID Awolowo dies at 99

    Breaking News: HID Awolowo dies at 99

    Matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief ( Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo is dead.
    The 99 years old wife of foremost politician, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, died on Saturday in family’s Ikenne home.
    She would have been 100 by November this year.

  • Thabo Mbeki shines at Awolowo Prize for Leadership

    Thabo Mbeki shines at Awolowo Prize for Leadership

    The 2014 edition of Chief Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership held at the Muson Centre on penultimate Friday in Lagos.       PHOTOS: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

  • ‘Mystery’ fire at Awolowo Hall

    There was a fire at the Awolowo Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, last Tuesday. The occupants described it as mysterious and an attempt by the management to eject them. AFEES LASISI reports.

    For more than 30 minutes last Tuesday, students and fire fighters battled to save Room 107 in Block 7 of the Awolowo Hall at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, from being razed by fire.

    The incident, according to witnesses, occurred at 11pm when the occupants went to watch the World Cup match between Argentina and Netherlands in the Postgraduate Hall. Some students, who were around the building, noticed the fire and raised an alarm.

    Their alarm attracted the attention of viewers in the Postgraduate Hall and porters, who called the institution’s fire service. Before the fire could be put out, most of the items in the room, including students’ credentials, had been burnt. Some parts of the wall also got cracked.

    The cause of the fire could not be ascertained immediately but some of the hall’s occupants said it could have been caused by candle light. There has not been power supply to the Halls of Residence since the management ordered students to leave the campus, following their protest over fee hike.

    An occupant of the room, who did not give his name, said: “I left the room around 8pm and came back after the match only to see that our properly had been burnt. I cannot estimate my loss until I settle down but I know that all my documents are in the room.”

    He also denied that his roommates left a lit candle before they went to view the match.

    One of the students, who saw the fire, described it as strange, saying: “The first thing I heard was the creaking sounds. I thought it was a disturbance by rats which have formed a colony in the hostel. Later, I realised that it was a fire when I saw thick smoke coming out of the room. That was when I raised the alarm and got people to salvage the situation.”

    Some students said the fire became intense because the fire fighters did not respond immediately, saying the security personnel on duty brought only one fire extinguisher, which did nothing.

    “None of the fire extinguishers we saw were working,” said a student, who simply identified himself as Segun.

    The management on June 18 ordered students out of the campus and announced an that the institution has been closed indefinitely because of the protest.

    Some students felt the decision was harsh, having paid for accommodation on campus. They stayed back. Some of them are not sure about the cause of the fire but students believe the management may have planned the incident to evict students from the hall.

    A student, who gave his nickname as Choco Milo, said it was difficult to believe that “ordinary candle flame” or stove could cause such damage.

    He said: “We are still investigating what really happened that night. An expert that assessed the magnitude of the damage to the wall of the room said it was beyond what candle or stove could cause. So what caused the fire?”

    Speaking to our correspondent on telephone on Monday, the institution’s Public Relations Officers (PRO), Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, dismissed the allegation as illogical and unreasonable, wondering why the management would destroy the school property. He said the management had begun an investigation into the incident.

    He said: “We have ordered the students to vacate the hostels after their protest a few weeks ago. The good students have since left and gone back to their parents but those around are miscreants. So, it is illogical and unreasonable for anyone to attribute the cause of the fire to the management. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole, is a responsible man, who is doing everything possible to protect lives and property on the campus.”

    While the source of the inferno remains a puzzle for management and students to unravel, the question on the lips of many is: what caused the fire when there was no electricity supply to the building and students claimed they did not light any candle?

  • Nation’s leaders urged to emulate Awolowo

    Nation’s leaders urged to emulate Awolowo

    Prominent Nigerians  have called on the nation’s leaders to shun selfishness and strive towards leaving legacies that would outlive them when they leave office.

    They urged present day leaders to emulate the first Premier of the old Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who initiated many people – oriented policies and implemented same effectively for the benefit of his people and others.

    The Nigerians who included clergies,  Senator Biyi Durojaiye, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State, Mr Segun Odubela, among others, said the exemplary life lived by Awolowo and the enduring legacies left behind informed why the memory of him lingers and why the late national leader would continue to be celebrated.

    The people spoke in the Ikenne home of the late sage, Ogun State, yesterday at the 27th Memorial Anniversary and Patronal Day observed in his honour.

    The  Vicar, Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne-Remo, Venerable Foluso Babatunji,  in his sermon said Awolowo lived a life of sacrifice that was most beneficial to the people.

    Babatunji said the late Yoruba leader gave all he had to the service of his family, community and the nation as his contributions to the country had remained relevant 27 years after his death.

    Babatunji said:  “When Papa was alive, he lived a life of giving. He gave to his family, town and the nation. In Yorubaland, Awolowo’s name is a household one. All is because he lived a life that millions of people benefited from. His legacies are there for us to see. The people of the defunct Western Region cannot forget his name.”

    In attendance at the service are the Bishop of Remo Diocese (Anglican Communion), The Right Reverend Olusina Fape, the Alakene of Ikenne-Remo, Oba Adeyinka Adeyiga, his wife, the Iya Ijo of Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Anglican Church (OAMAC), Ikenne-Remo, Chief (Mrs) Ajayi, Honourable Omosanya Solaja, among others.

    According to the cleric, the nation’s  politicians should be selfless and put the interest of the people uppermost on their minds while pursuing their political ambitions.

    Odubela appealed to the country leaders to learn from the leadership qualities of Chief Awo, saying it is a common knowledge within and outside the Southwest region how Papa Awolowo impacted upon his people positively.

    He said: ”Papa Awolowo did so much for the Western Region and the entire country. He touched all areas of human endeavour. He empowered his people economically. He provided his people with free education. He built the first television station in Africa. He built a standard stadium which was named after him. We will continue to celebrate him for his good policies.”

  • Amosun renovates college founded by Awolowo

    The Ogun State commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Chief Samuel Duro Aiyedogbon, says the ongoing rehabilitation of the Social Development Institute (SDI) in Shasha Iperu Remo after decades of neglect, demonstrates, government’s commitment to improving quality of education service deliver in the state.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun has committed N50 million to renovate facilities at the institute, which was established by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1956 to provide training for social and community workers, community leaders and people in governance.

    Aiyedogbon, in a statement signed by the head of media in the Ministry, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, decried the neglect suffered by the 58-year old school by previous administrations which led to the degeneration of its facilities and teaching standards.

    “The situation of the institute was bad and becoming very worrisome when the governor visited. He was completely displeased with what he saw and as a man, who is determined to revolutionize the education sector, directed that N50million be released for the immediate renovation of the school. It is on record that no serving governor of the state has ever visited it since its establishment in 1956 which has led to the total neglect of the institution,” he said.

    The commissioner said the renovation would be completed by the end of this month and is also hopeful that the school would begin to attract foreign students in the neighboring African countries as was the case in Awolowo’s lifetime.

  • How national conference should be held, by Awolowo Foundation

    How national conference should be held, by Awolowo Foundation

    With Monday’s inauguration of the national conference planning committee by President Goodluck Jonathan, stakeholders have said the proposed conference must not exceed nine months and not more than 400 delegates.

    Participants at an executive leadership seminar, convened by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation spoke on the conference in Lagos . They noted that the proposed conference can contribute to the creation of a viable Nigerian polity.

    Tagged: ‘The national conference: Roadmap to Nigeria’s stability, the seminar was convened by the group’s Executive Director, Dr Olatokunbo Dosumu and chaired by Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi.

    At the event were President, Guild of Editor Mr. Femi Adesina; Prof Ayandiji; Daniel Aina; Prof Princewill Alozie; Prof. Bolaji Aluko; Dr Chris Asoluka; Prof. Bukar Bukarambe; Mrs. Ayo Obe; Prof Ayo Olukotun; Dr. Tunde Oseni; Prof. Akin Oyebode; Prof. Itse Sagay and Alhaji Yerima Shettima.

    Praising the President, the participants noted that the Senator Femi Okurounmu-led committee was skewed against the youth, who will have to live with the consequences of the decisions to be taken on the confab.

    A communique signed by the participants recommended that 90 per cent of the suggested 400 delegates to the conference should emerge through an election on non-partisan basis from the ward to the zonal levels and 10 per cent nominees of professional bodies, trade unions, civil society organisations, youth/students, women and pan-Nigerian religious bodies.

    They said the draft constitution that will be produced should be subjected to a national referendum not later than three months after the end of the conference.

    “There should be no ‘no-go’ areas in the course of this national discourse. The fact that people are not restricted will enhance frankness of discussions as well as greater acceptability and respectability of the conference outcome.

    “The conference should address true federalism as established by the founding fathers, with emphasis on granting the federating units room to develop competitively at their own pace.

    “It should be channelled to build a more tolerant, egalitarian and prosperous modern state with a constitution that emphasises the protection of individual rights.

    “The present state structure should be reconfigured to more manageable and sustainable units.

    “The outcome of the conference should address and lay appropriate emphasis on the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people,” participants said.

     

  • ‘Aregbesola is following Awolowo’s steps’

    The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, has said Governor Rauf Aregbesola is aspiring to the legacies of the former Premier of the old Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, he said Aregbesola’s references to the late Awolowo’s legacies were to remind the people of exemplary democratic governance, which every Yoruba person is proud of.

    Akere said the Aregbesola administration, through its Six Point-Integral Action Plan, has recorded unparalleled achievements, despite the paucity of funds.

    He said Aregbesola met an empty treasury and “mountains of debts” when he assumed office, adding that his fiscal discipline and administrative skills were responsible for the completion of projects that impact directly on the lives of the people.

    According to the commissioner, the record has shown that the Aregbesola administration’s achievements on road construction, empowerment, food security, health, security and creation of job opportunities have surpassed those of his predecessors.