HID Awolowo: Atiku, APC, PDP, Govs. Ikpeazu, Ahmed, Fayemi mourn

Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar, has paid glowing tribute to Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, wife of the late political sage Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, who passed on to glory on the ‘eve’ of her 100th birthday anniversary billed for November 25.
The Turaki Adamawa, who shares November 25th birthday with the deceased matriarch of the Awolowo family, said he was already looking forward to celebrating her centenary birthday.
In a statement released by his media office in Abuja on Sunday, 20 September, Atiku eulogized the departed Yeye Oba Adimula of Yorubaland and ageless national icon.
“Mama HID (Awolowo) was mother to all and an epitome of honesty, integrity and dignity. She was a rare gem, a symbol of fineness and firmness, a woman of substantial depth on all matters, a devout and dedicated Christian, a

successful business tycoon, a faithful and committed wife, and indeed a case-study for current generation of women leaders and those yet unborn.”
The former Vice President, who is also the Aare Adimula of the Source described the grandmother of Mrs. Oludolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), as “an embodiment of primordial and contemporary history, symbol of traditional norms and virtues, a fashionista of repute and stickler to discipline and transparency; whose indelible imprints on the sands of time would be hard to erase.”
Atiku commiserated with Nigerians, the Yorubas, the people of Ogun state and Ikenne and, in particular, members of the nuclear and extended Awolowo dynasty, on the demise of a great woman leader.
The former Vice President urged wives of leaders and aspiring female politicians to imbibe and emulate the legacies of endurance, patience, honesty, integrity and dignity that Mama Awolowo, “jewel of inestimable value”, bequeathed to the nation, and the world at large, in the course of her century-old sojourn on earth.
“I am deeply saddened and immensely touched to lose a mother, birthday mate, generous adviser and matriarchal legend, but glad that I had the privilege to drink from her fountain of abundant wisdom and knowledge.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in its tribute, described Mrs. Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, who passed on to the great beyond on Saturday, as a colossus of her time who will always be remembered for good.
In a statement issued in Ikenne on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Mrs. Awolowo was an ideal wife, a great mother and indeed a jewel of inestimable value, as her husband once fondly described her.
”While we understand that death is inevitable, there are times that we secretly wish that our loved and great ones would live forever. Mama gave us reasons for such a secret wish, with her sterling personal and public life that made her a strong pillar behind one of the country’s foremost nationalists,” it said.
APC commiserated with the children, grand children, great grand children and the entire Awolowo family, and prayed that God will take Mama into his bosom and also give all those she left behind the strength to carry on without her.
The party said the best tribute that can be paid to Mrs Awolowo is for the new generation of Nigerian women to emulate her love of family and nation, life of industry, selflessness as well as a strong and abiding faith in God, all attributes that served her well and made her a colossus among men and women.
Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and all members of the PDP, mourned with the Awolowo family the passage of their highly revered matriarch.
Mrs. Awolowo was a rare “jewel of inestimable value”, who stood like a
pillar behind one of Nigeria’s greatest leaders, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the PDP said, stressing that the value of Mrs. Awolowo was even made more glaring in the way and manner she provided leadership to the personal and political families of the Awolowos in the last 28 years of the demise of the great sage.
Mrs. Awolowo was a woman of peace, whose sense of service, kindness, humility and piety, despite her towering attainments in business and political leadership, remained a source of inspiration to the younger generation of Nigerian leaders.
Indeed, the nation would miss this great citizen, especially for her roles in stabilizing the polity with her motherly advice to generations of leaders in our country.
The PDP commiserates with the government and people of Ogun state, and the Awolowo family and prays that God gives them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed in his condolence message, described the death of Chief HID Awolowo as a national loss as the country has been robbed of her counseling‎, especially of the political class and uncommon mother figure to many generations of Nigerians.
He commiserated with the Awolowo family, Ogun State government and Nigerians at large on the passing away of the Matriarch of the Awolowo family.
The governor said late Chief HID Awolowo would be missed by Nigeria especially now that the country was deep in charting a new moral value.
He prayed God to give the family of the deceased, Ogun State government and Nigerians at large the fortitude to cope with the loss.
The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, extended the sincere feelings of the good people of Abia State to the Awolowo family, the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and to the great people of Ogun State for the vacuum that has been created in the social and political life of the people by the death of the famed matriarch.
The Governor noted that, until her death, HID was the “living tree” of the South West political history and stood as the rallying point of all political leaning in the South West, having married a man whom the Yoruba see as their political symbol.
He noted that, until Saturday, HID was the living representation of that symbol and therefore commiserated with the entire people of the South West over the irreparable loss.
Governor Ikpeazu described HID as a woman of courage and resilience who stood doggedly behind her husband throughout his embattled life as a foremost Nigerian politician and community leader and prayed God to grant her soul an eternal rest.
He also prayed God to console her family, relatives, the people of Ogun State and the entire Yoruba race who must surely be touched by the passing on of the legendary matriarch.
The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, also commiserated with the family of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo; the government and people of Ogun State and the entire Yoruba race on the demise of Mama H.I.D Awolowo.
Fayemi, in a statement on Sunday, described the death of the late matriarch as a glorious end to a remarkable life devoted to the service of humanity.
Describing Mama H.I.D Awolowo as a woman of remarkable grace, bravery and strength of character, the former Ekiti State Governor said the late matriarch remained a shining example of loyalty and devotion.
Fayemi recalled the crucial roles played by the late Mrs Awolowo in providing the right support for the late sage during the period of his political activities and keeping the family together after Awo’s passage as well as working tirelessly for the unity and progress of the Yoruba race.
He also recalled his many encounters with the late matriarch whom he described as a woman of immense grace who had demonstrated great passion for the unity and wellness of the Yoruba in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
Fayemi said: “In all, mama put in her very best and remained for us all a shining example in leadership, courage and loyalty. Mama’s peaceful passage barely two months to her 100th birthday celebration after a fulfilled life, remains a cause for celebration.”
“While mama would be missed for her wisdom, candour and as the conscience and custodian of the Awolowo dynasty, the fact that she lived a good life, impacted many lives and left a legacy of honour are sufficient reasons to celebrate rather than mourn her passage.
“On behalf of my family, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the Awolowo family, the people of Ogun state and Nigerians on the passage of this great woman,” he added.