HID Awolowo’s Death, Personal Loss – IBB

Former Military President, Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has stated that the death of the wife of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mrs H.I.D Awolowo came to him as a personal loss, saying that the development also truck a sense of nostalgia in him.

In a statement personal signed by him and made available to journalists yesterday, Babangida stated that the late matriarch of Awolowo family was a great woman , saying that it was instructive to note that she lived a selfless life.

He said, “ The Awolowos; the late sage and his soul-mate, the matriarch both lived exemplary and selfless life promoting the common good for the human society.

“I have enjoyed a personal and warm relationship from the Awolowos including the late matriarch especially from my days in office at Dodan Barracks, when she accompanied her husband to pay me a visit when I returned from a medical trip abroad.

“ It was the first time any government, especially a Military Government at that, was enjoying such kind of honour of a visit that was more personal than official. I could still recall the warmth and candour that pervaded the atmosphere at my official residence in State House, Dodan Barracks on that gracious day having in audience a great Nigerian accompanied by his delectable wife. Till date, that visit remains memorable in my heart; and it’s a historical moment that I will forever cherish in my life time.

“It is not an accident of history that she is being celebrated today as she joined her ancestors. This unique celebration is in recognition of the unassailable fact that she lived a fulfilled life tempered by love for mankind, respect for constituted authority, and peaceful co-existence amongst all the different tongues and tribes in the country”.

Babangida further stated that after the death of her husband, the late Awolowo, Mrs HID Awolowo assumed the enviable role of being both father and mother to different categories of persons, tribes and regions, in helping to nurture and sustain national identity.

“ That sense of unity and oneness was symptomatic of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), which the late sage formed and promoted, to build bridges of understanding across the Niger.

“Mama, was there for everyone irrespective of your political party, your ideological persuasion, your religion or tribe.

She was a stabilizing factor across the country and for different governments at the local, state and federal levels”.

He therefore condoled with the surviving eldest daughter, Mrs Tola Oyediran and the entire Awolowo clan over her passage .



Gov Abubakar Mourns

Meanwhile, Bauchi State governor Mohammed Abubakar has commiserated with the family of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, over the death of Chief H.I.D. Awolowo.

The condolence message is contained in a press release issued by Mr. Yakubu Mohammed, his special adviser on Media and Communication, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi yesterday.



I Will Personally Miss Mama Awolowo-Tinubu

Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos Central Senatorial district has said that she will miss Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) who died last week at the age of 99.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos by her media aide, Maxwell Adegberon.

The statement reads in part: “I personally will miss Mama whose life and commitment had a great effect on me.

“I knew her to be a woman of substance. Her commitment to the ideals of a just and equitable society was without doubt.

“Her consistency and firm believe in God remains an inspiration for me. Her death is indeed a great loss not only to the family but to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria.”

“NUJ Mourns The Passage Of A Matriarch.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has joined the Awolowo family and other well meaning Nigerians in mourning the death of Chief (Mrs) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo.

In a statement signed by the union’s national secretary and Walin Shadalafiya Shuaibu Usman Leman, it stated that “ Nigeria will surely miss her wise counsel and prays that the Almighty God will grant her eternal rest and the Awolowo family, the fortitude to continue without her.”



HID Awolowo, Woman Of Destiny-Women Entrepreneurs

The Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE) has commiserated with the family of Chief Obafemi Awolowo over the transition to glory of the matriarch of the family, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo. NAWE in a statement signed by its national president, Chief (Mrs) Ada Ozongwu, and made available to LEADERSHIP in Abuja yesterday described HID Awolowo as “A jewel of inestimable value, Mama Awolowo was an embodiment of patriotism, humility, integrity, perseverance and compassion. She was a mother’s mother, with exceptional milk of human kindness”.