President Muhammadu Buhari led the pack of leaders who have been paying tributes to the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty , Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, who passed away today.
The President’s spokesperson Femi Adesina in a statement said, “On behalf of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, President Buhari extends sincere 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 statement added “The President joins 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.”
“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.”
“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.”
In his own tribute, Senate President Bukola Saraki described the death of Mama Awolowo, as a great loss to Nigeria describing the late Matriarch a as a pre-eminent mother.
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.
“To think that she will not be there during the period of the celebration, which is just about two months away, makes me sad, in spite of her ripe age filled with achievements,” he said.
Saraki said Mama Awolowo truly distinguished herself among her contemporaries, “not only because she lived longer but because she served God and humanity to the end.
“Even as a nonagenarian, she kept on hosting different fora and contributing to ideas on the unity of the Yoruba people in particular and Nigeria in general.
“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.
“On behalf of my family and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I commiserate with the Awolowo family, the government and people of Ogun State and Nigeria in general on the death of this great woman.
“They should all take solace in the fact that Mama lived a good life. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, described late Awolowo, as the real conscience of the Oodua
nation. The Governor said her untiring efforts at building and sustaining the unity of the Yoruba nation and ensuring its worthy pride of place
within the context of Nigeria’s federal structure will be sorely missed by all. He also described the death of Mama Awolowo as the end of an era.
In a condolence message in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor said Mama
Awolowo not only wrote her name in gold in the history of the Yoruba
race and Nigeria at large, but proved truly that behind a successful
man, there must be a good woman.
“The Holy Bible says he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. That was true and real in the life of the late sage Baba Obafemi Awolowo who found a good thing in our dear Mama and called her ‘My jewel of inestimable value.’
“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.
“After the demise of her husband, Mama stood tall to carry on with the great legacies of Baba Awolowo. Even when the vicissitudes of life
brought some challenging issues across her path, despite that there was no Baba to lean on, she stood like a rock.
“Mama Awolowo’s life was not only exemplary, but one that provided great lessons of life to the discerning mind. She has fought a good
fight. She came and conquered. She left footprints in the sands of time and she has gone to a deserved rest.
“Mama Awolowo was a quintessence of honesty, discipline, integrity, modesty and compassion. With Mama’s death, no doubt, the biggest iroko
tree in the forest of Yorubaland has fallen and the jewel of inestimable value has
finally gone to meet the sage.
“Despite her old age and failing health, she never stopped to harp on an egalitarian society, a nation of equity, justice and fairness.
“Mama remained undaunted in her commitment to the unity and wellness of the Yoruba race in particular and Nigeria as a whole. She will be
sorely missed by all.
“On behalf of my family, government and people of Ekiti State, I wish the entire Awolowo family the continued support and guidance of the Almighty God and the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode while expressing shock over her death said, “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 cause 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”, the Governor recalled.
The Governor prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul, urging her family to draw strength from the legacies she stood for while she was alive.
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Lagos state, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mama Awolowo, the people of Ogun state and Nigerians on this great and irreparable loss,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Afenifere Renewal Group in its condolence message urged Nigerians to celebrate her legacy.
In a statement signed by ARG Publicity Secretary Kunle Famoriyo, the Group described her as the avatar of progressive politics in Nigeria.
It read, “The news of her death came as a shock as no one would ever wanted to lose a jewel but we are comforted by the kind of life Mama lived.
Like Chief Awolowo, whose philosophies will forever remain a guidepost for progressive politics, Mama HID lived out and left behind a strong legacy, as an agent of peace and personification of bravery and tenacity.
“She dedicated her life as the critical support needed by her husband in the pursuit of common good and the building of an egalitarian society”.
“ARG calls on all Yoruba people and indeed all Nigerians to celebrate Mama HID’s lifetime and legacy as we pray for the repose of her soul and eternal blessings on all she left behind”.
