President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday mourned the death of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s widow, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Awolowo.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President extended condolences to the Awolowo family, especially the children, grand and great-grandchildren on the death of their famed matriarch, just a few weeks to her 100th birthday.
Buhari said the late HID would be remembered and celebrated as the famous spouse and pillar of strength of the late nationalist, political leader and sage.
The statement read in part, “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 irreparable loss.
“The President also condoled with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who is also an in-law to the Awolowos.”
Also commiserating with the Awolowos was the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, Ambode said he was one of her many followers, who looked forward to celebrating her 100th birthday.
The statement read, “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.”
A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged the Awolowo family to celebrate their late matriarch’s death.
Obasanjo, who arrived the Ikenne residence of the Awolowos at exactly 7.30pm on Saturday, said HID lived an enviable life and should be celebrated in death.
He said, “It is a passage of an icon. Normally for all of us it should be a mixed feeling because Mama had lived a life that most of us, will envy, but it doesn’t matter how long our loved ones had lived, we will still want them to remain with us.
“We must thank God because Mama had lived through the vicissitudes of life, but she had died in peace. For her, it was a peaceful exit into the great beyond.
“Since Mama had decided to leave before her centenary celebration, we cannot query God.
In the same vein, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said with the death of HID Awolowo, Nigeria has lost a preeminent mother.
Saraki stated that even as a nonagenarian, she kept on hosting different fora and contributing ideas on the unity of the Yoruba people in particular and Nigeria in general.
He 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.
“She was an epitome of a good wife and mother and I have no doubt that as she reunites with her darling Husband, Pa Obafemi Awolowo, she would have good account to give of how far she had held forte in the absence of the late sage.”
Also speaking on the death was the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere. Its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, said the deceased stood by her husband when he was alive and never wavered and remained the pillar of the family after the death of her husband.
He said, “She was a supremely intelligent, kind-hearted, loving and caring mother of the Yoruba nation,” adding that “Mama, as no one would doubt, remains a Jewel of Inestimable Value even in transition to glory.”
Also, the Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, reacted to the nonagenarian’s death.
Mimiko stated that Chief Obafemi Awolowo would not have been the colossus that he was without his significant half especially in the face of unceasing persecutions following his tireless commitment to democracy and the advancement of the African cause.
He said, “As the mother of the Yoruba nation, Mama made invaluable contributions to the Awolowo school of progressive politics encapsulated in the social democratic mantra of ‘Life More Abundant’ during and after the life time of the great sage.
“She was a rallying point for all Yoruba sons and daughters irrespective of political affiliations as the co-chairman, with the late Ooni of Ife, of the Yoruba Unity Forum, a movement dedicated to the advancement of Yoruba cohesion, progress and advancement within the Nigerian matrix.”
Also, in his official announcement of the passage of the late Obafemi Awolowo’s widow, the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described her life as an exemplary one which truly ran its full course.
The statement read, “Mama HID stood by her husband like the Rock of Gibraltar throughout the tough political career of the foremost nationalist and leader of the Action Group and Unity Party of Nigeria. She was indeed a ‘jewel of inestimable value’ as was fondly described by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.”
Meanwhile, the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has described the death of HID Awolowo, as the loss of the real conscience of the Oodua nation.
In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose said Mama Awolowo proved truly that behind a successful man, there must be a good woman.
“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.
“Despite her old age and failing health, she never stopped to harp on an egalitarian society, a nation of equity, justice and fairness.”
Also, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has described the translation of the matriarch of the Awolowo family as the end of an era.
Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, described HID Awolowo as a solid pillar beside the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo when he was alive. He stated that she worked tirelessly to ensure the Awolowo political dynasty remains united.
He said, “Even in death Mama remained a rallying point for the Awolowo political dynasty until her last breath on earth.”
Former Secretary-General of the Afenifere and ex-General Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Opadokun, on Saturday described HID Awolowo as a strong pillar of politics in the defunct Western Region.
Opadokun, who is one of Awolowo’s political mentees, recalled that Mrs. Awolowo refused to succumb to the pressure mounted by the opposition when political situation was tensed in the region.
Opadokun
He said, “Mama was an unmatchable complement to Papa Awolowo in all his life’s socio-economic and political struggles. Mama was always the pillar of support that kept the home front secured throughout Papa’s life since they got married.
“The greatest evil that was politically unleashed on the Awolowo family in the First Republic was such that, had it been that Mama was not an historical phenomenon herself, she could have succumbed to the evil machination of political opponents of Papa Awolowo.”
Opadokun stated that Mrs. Awolowo experienced ups and downs in her life like any other person, “but she took them all in her strives.” He recalled that she remained herself even when she lost her first son, Mr. Wole Awolowo few years ago.
He added, ““During the period Chief Awolowo was incarcerated for political reason in the so-called treasonable felony trial, and the progressive political wing in the country was looking for someone to galvanise it, Mama was the strong pillar in the entire Western Region, which is now about eight states.”
Also, a former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has said that Chief (Mrs.) HID Awolowo lived a life of love and service and described her death as the end of an era.
In a statement, Oyinlola, described HID Awolowo as the mother of the nation and that her death has made the nation poorer.
It read in part: “The exit of Mama HID Awolowo at almost 100 years old is a great blow to all of us who took her as our mother. It, in significant terms, effectively ended an era in the politics of Nigeria and, in particular, of Yorubaland.
“As wife to immortal Awo, Mama was a paragon of love and unflagging loyalty. As a politician, she was a bulwark of courage and strength to the weak. As the mother of the nation, she, till the very last minute, exuded uncommon wisdom and care in critical moments.”
In his reaction, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, described the late matriarch as an era which has now receded. In a statement, he said, “An era recedes. As solace, it leaves in its wake a treasured privilege for those who knew her, who experienced her indomitable spirit at first hand, and drank from her depthless fount of family embrace.”
For the former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola SAN, HID Awolowo’s wise counsel would be sorely missed.
His statement read, “No words will suffice to describe how sorely mama will be missed. But I am confident that the memory of Mama’s legacy, her national service without a title, and the pride of her life’s work will build bridges of comfort for the entire family.”
