The matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty and Yeye Oodua, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, died yesterday at her Ikenne- Remo residence. Her passage was dramatic, according to her eldest daughter, Mrs. Omotola Oyediran, in a statement titled ‘Glorious Exit.’ She said the matriarch died two hours after spending quality time with her close family members. They had gathered to plan her 100th birthday, which was 67 days away, when she joined them for a few minutes.
As if bidding them goodbye, she spent “precious few minutes” in their company as they sang for her and she prayed for them. Preparations were in top gear for the 100th birthday of Mama HID, as she was fondly called by many.
She would have turned 100 years on November 25, this year. Sunday Telegraph reliably gathered that the late matriarch passed on at 3:15p.m. Various interest groups and well-wishers were said to have even selected and bought uniform clothes for the planned party. Shortly after the meeting, Mama was said to have eaten pounded yam as lunch before retiring to her bedroom. She died at 3:15p.m. A statement issued by the family and signed by the eldest child of the deceased, Mrs. Omotola Oyediran, yesterday, confirmed the passage of the Awolowo matriarch.
The one-page statement entitled ‘Glorious Exit’ reads: “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, this afternoon, September 19, 2015. “Mama died as gloriously as she lived. She spent the day in the company with her children, grand-children, great grand-children and close family members.
“She shared a precious few minutes with them when she went in to pray for them as they met to plan her centenary birthday. They sang her a befitting song as she came in and she continued to pray for them. “She died a couple of hours later as she had always wished; surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.” Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed sadness over the death of Chief Mama Awolowo.
The President, in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, on behalf of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, condoled with the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of the ‘Jewel of Inestimable Value’ on the death of their matriarch, just a few weeks before her hundredth birthday. Buhari joined them and millions of admirers of her late revered husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in mourning Chief (Mrs.) 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 President said he believes that Mrs. Awolowo will always be remembered also for the indelible legacy of very significant, behindthe- scene contributions to communal, state, regional and national development. He prayed that God would comfort Awolowo’s family, relatives, friends, associates and admirers, and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The President also prayed that the Almighty would 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. Buhari also condoled with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who is an in-law to the Awolowos. Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty should be celebrated in death. Obasanjo said she lived a fulfilled and exemplary life, adding that her shoes would remain too big to be filled.
The ex-president, who arrived the Ikenne-Remo residence of the Awolowos at 7:15p.m., was received by the daughters of the deceased, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran and Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, as well as the state Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga, and the wife of the governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun. Obasanjo urged Nigerians to emulate the deceased, saying “Each and every one of us have lessons to learn from her life.” He noted: “It is 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 vicissitudes of life, but she had died in peace.
For her it is a peaceful exit into the great beyond. “When I heard, I had to call people on telephone because I wanted to be sure that the information was correct. Since Mama had decided to leave before her centenary celebration, we cannot query God. Mama’s life had been a joy to many as the matriarch of the Yoruba race having been the first lady of the Western Region. There must not be a vacuum. Mama’s shoe is too big.
What all of us will have to do is to make our feet bigger so as to enter her shoe. “We have no cause to be downcast. Mama should be celebrated for each and everyone of us there is a lesson to learn from her. May her soul rest in peace.” Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday described the late widow of Awolowo as “a role model of distinction.” In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, the governor said the death was a great loss.
He, however, said Mama’s exit deserved celebration because her life and times were noble and golden.
Amosun said: “This was an exemplary life that truly ran its full course. “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.
“Nigeria has lost a role model of distinction, a highly disciplined and principled woman, a trustworthy ally and dependable politician, who equally made her mark in the business world.”
Amosun recalled that following the formation of the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) in 1964 between the Action Group (AG) and National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), Mama stood in for Chief Awolowo who was then in prison in the hope that she would contest the federal election and upon victory step down for her husband in a by-election in order for the late sage to realise his political dream.
“In spite of the political vicissitudes of the First Republic, Mama HID toured the entire country with her husband campaigning in the Second Republic. She was a woman of valour and a friend indeed,” the governor added.
Early callers at the Awolowo residence included Onanuga; a former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa; Afenifere chieftain, Senator Femi Okurounmu; the Bishop of Remo Diocese (Anglican Communion),The Right Reverend (Dr) Olusina Fape and his wife, Toyin. Onanuga, who arrived about 5:55p.m., said in her condolence message: “The government and the people of Ogun State commiserate with the entire children and family on the passing unto glory of their matriarch.
In his own message, Daniel said, “That Mama will go is not totally expected but the reality is something that cannot be expected for the entire country, for the Yoruba nation, for the Ogun State people, for the entire world. “It is indeed the end of an era.
We take solace in the fact that Mama and the entire Awolowo clan have several children of which I remain proud to be one of them and we shall keep the banner flying. Adieu Mama, the matriarch of the Yeye Odua and the Asiwaju Obirin of Remoland.” Leader, Yoruba Obas Conflicts Resolution Coomittee, Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan commiserated with Awolowo family on the transition of the matriarch.
He said: “The transition of Mama marks the end of a rich era of perseverance, industry, service to God and humanity, The Yoruba race and Nigeria have lost a gem, May the Lord grant her peace perpetual.”
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