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Tag: HID Awolowo

  • TUC mourns HID Awolowo

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) mourns Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, the matriarch of the Awolowo family and wife of late Obafemi Awolowo, who reportedly died last week in her sleep at her Ikenne, Ogun state home.

    In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary-General, Comrade Musa Lawal, said the woman once described as “ jewel of inestimable value” by her husband has left so much to be desired.

    According to the congress, the nonagenarian until her husband’s demise on May 9, 1987 was his pillar of strength, adding that though mama was old yet “we had wished she lived more years to see the dream of her husband concerning Nigeria come to pass.”

    While we mourn Mama’s demise, we take solace in the fact that she left a worthy legacy behind. There was no doubt that she was a woman of uncommon strength and virtue. It takes a lot of gut to sustain the laudable political legacies and values of her husband, the great Chief Awolowo.

  • Jonathan, wife visit Awolowo’s Ikenne home

    Jonathan, wife visit Awolowo’s Ikenne home

    … HID, the biblical woman of virtue – Ex-President

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, on Wednesday visited the Ikenne residence of late HID Awolowo to condole with the family.

    Jonathan, who was accompanied by ex – Governor Gbenga Daniel, Hon. Mulikat Adeola and Jide Adeniji, among others, said the deceased epitomized the virtuous woman described in the Bible.

    The Matriarch of Awolowo dynasty and Yeye Oodua of Yoruba land died last Saturday at the age of 99.

    The ex – President noted that death is inevitable, but said it was a rare privilege on the part of Mrs. Awolowo  to have added extra 29 years to the Biblical “two scores and 10 to her  years on earth.”

    Jonathan said he and his wife like other Nigerians will greatly miss the nonagenarian, stressing that the late HID Awolowo was a “rare mother.”

    “Death is an inevitable end that would come when it would come. So, we know it would come for all of us one day. Here we are today, we have been coming here because the former secretary to the government did mention that the last time I came here it was associated with the last presidential electioneering campaign.

    “But I have been here severally before to see mama in one way or the other. We are mourning her today, me and my wife, we are not mourning because mama has passed on.

    “For me, we believe that it’s a rare privilege to add extra 29 years to the Biblical two scores and 10, it’s not easy. Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have been mourning, but mama was a rare mother.

    “She was a woman of virtue described in the Bible and she was a mother to all of us, a mother that her milk of kindness we still need, her milk of encouragement we still need, her milk of advice we still need and today she’s no more with us.”

     

     

  • PDP Governors mourn HID Awolowo

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed sadness over the death of Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.

    The governors, under the aegis of PDP Governors’ Forum in a statement in Abuja on Monday, described Madam Awolowo’s death as the passage of the last Amazon.

    The statement, signed by the coordinator of the Forum, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, said the deceased displayed extraordinary courage during her lifetime.

    The statement said, “The PDP Governors’ Forum is saddened at the death of Chief (Mrs.) HID Awolowo, an amazon of extra ordinary courage, a worthy ally and confidante of the late Premier of the Western Region, Pa Obafemi Awolowo.

    “HID’s death has created a very large vacuum as she was the last amazon of women of valour that fought for the country’s independence. We are however consoled by the fact that she lived a life of exemplary conduct, wise counsel and was a stabilizing force.

    “On behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum, I commiserate with the deceased family, people and government of Ogun State.”

     

  • HID: Security beefed up in Ikenne

    HID: Security beefed up in Ikenne

    Scores of armed security operatives – soldiers, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), on Sunday morning took positions at strategic locations at Ikenne, Ogun state.
    The operatives arrived the town as early as 6:30am to provide adequate security and ensure the safety of dignitaries – eminent Nigerians, trooping into the Ikenne to condole with the family of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Hannah Idowu Dideolu, who died on Saturday afternoon.
    Within and outside the prescint of the Awolowo’s sprawling country home, over a dozen security men were seen while at the street leading to the home, many could also be sighted keeping vigil.
    The Ilishan junction entrance to the town off the Sagamu – Ore expressway was manned by military patrol van and that of the Police’s Rapid Response Squad(RRS) positioned there to secure visitors entering and leaving Ikenne through that route.
    Dignitaries who have called at the Ikenne home to condole with the Awolowo family on Sunday morning included former Governor of Lagos state and Awo’s disciple, Alh. Lateef Jakande, ex – governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, former Works Minister, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and leader of the Afenifere Renewal Group(ARG). Hon. Wale Oshun.
    Those who called on Saturday 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 were 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.
    Jakande and Fayemi eulogised HID Awolowo, saying she was a leader, mother and a source of positive inspirations who would be missed by the yoruba nay Nigeria.

  • HID AWOLOWO: PASSAGE OF A MATRIARCH Buhari pays tribute

    HID AWOLOWO: PASSAGE OF A MATRIARCH Buhari pays tribute

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday extended his commiseration to the children, grand children and great grand children of the “Jewel of Inestimable Value” on the death of their famed matriarch, just a few weeks before her 100th birthday.

    Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo died yesterday.

    The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said he joined millions of admirers of her late, revered husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in mourning Chief  Awolowo, “who will be long remembered and celebrated as the famous spouse and pillar of strength of the late nationalist, political leader and sage.”

    The statement added, “President Buhari believes that Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo will always be honoured too for the indelible legacy of very significant, behind-the-scene contributions to communal, state, regional and national development which she has left behind.

    “The president prays that God will comfort Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo’s family, relatives, friends, associates and admirers, and grant them the fortitude to bear her loss.

    “He also prays that the Almighty will receive the late matriarch’s worthy soul and grant her eternal rest from her long, earthly service to her renowned spouse, family, community and country.”

     

     

  • 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.

  • Buhari mourns HID Awolowo’s death

    Buhari mourns HID Awolowo’s death

    President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the passing away of Chief (Mrs.) Dideolu Awolowo.
    In a statement by Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, Buhari extended his commiserations to the children, grand children and great grand children of the “Jewel of Inestimable Value” on the death of their famed matriarch, just a few weeks before her hundredth birthday.
    The President said Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo will be long remembered and celebrated as the famous spouse and pillar of strength of the late nationalist, political leader and sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
    He added that Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo will always be honoured too for the indelible legacy of very significant, behind-the-scene contributions to communal, state, regional and national development which she has left behind.
    The President prayed that God will comfort Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo’s family, relatives, friends, associates and admirers, and grant them the fortitude to bear her irreparable loss.

  • 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.

  • Jonathan visits HID Awolowo, says son’s death painful

    Jonathan visits HID Awolowo, says son’s death painful

    Amid heavy security within and the outside the Ikenne home of the Awolowos, President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday paid a condolence visit to the matriarch of Awo’s family,  Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu  Awolowo, over the death of her sone, Evangelist Chief Wole Awolowo.

    Oluwole, until his death last Wednesday at Wellington Hospital, St. Johnswood, London, was Mama and late Papa Awo’s only surviving son and  Publisher/ Vice Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc,(publishers of Tribune Titles). He was aged 70.

    Jonathan who was ushered into the  sprawling Awolowo’s compound by the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun, where he met Mama HID, assured the family that his administration would render necessary support to the children of the deceased.

    The former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, and the family members were already ground waiting for the President.

    Earlier before his arrival  around 2: 55p.m in a military chopper marked NAF 571, heavy security – under cover agents, operatives of the State Security Service(SSS),  the Nigerian army, the Police and a sleu of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) were sighted keeping vigil at located strategic locations in Awo’s home and streets leading to it.

    Visitors and vehicles that happened to be at the area were frisked and asked to keep moving.

    Jonathan who sounded philosophical over the death of Oluwole said it was painful but added that only God knows why it happened at the time it did.

    He condoled  with Mama, the family and prayed that God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Jonathan said:”Mama accept our condolence. It’s a period that we lack words even though as a teacher and politician in some cases though I’m generally somebody of very few words. But in some situations, even the very few words disappear.

    “So we really lack words to express our feelings. Ordinarily at that 70, which is why I have said that from Biblical injunction, three scores and ten, is an age where you thank God to attain, especially in a country where the average life span is quite below 50.

    “But under the circumstances, his death is painful to all of us. To me, I’ve seen the way the Awolowo family has taken me as their own and I would have loved to be here almost everyday.

    “Gbenga Daniel can attest to that. You have taken me as your own; this is not the period to say it and I have the opportunity to say that and the whole world can know. I remain grateful to you for integrating me into the great Awolowo family.

    “That is why I asked the first time I heard about the death that have they informed mama? It was Douglas that told me that they have not informed her and I asked him to go to Lagos and follow this.

    ” I pay my personal condolence to mama and the entire members of the family and I also condole with the children, especially the younger ones that are still expecting significant parental care.

    “I join the bishop to say God knows everything and he knows the reason for everything. On our part, we will continue to be members of the family and any little thing that God has given us the privilege to do the children, they are my children and my brothers.

    ” So mama, it is painful but God knows best and we pray that you don’t experience this again and God will see you through. Mama, I’m your son, I will continue to be with you.”

    Mama’s first daughter, Mrs Tola Oyediran who spoke on behalf of the family, lauded the President for identifying with them in their moment of grief and prayed the good Lord to reward him for his efforts.

    She said: “On behalf of the family, I want to really appreciate you. You have no doubt identified with us in this journey, even when we thought it was too big for us to carry, you were there to help us carry the load. We did not think at all that you would come and see us.

    “What you have done today, it will remain forever in our hearts and we pray for you and your entire family that you will never sorrow in Jesus name. Everything that you desire in your heart, we pray that the Lord will grant it to you.

    “I want to welcome you on behalf of Awolowo family and mama and to assure you that your stay here will be peaceful. And to all of you I welcome you all.”