BREAKING NEWS, Passage
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Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, 99, wife of lafe Obafemi Awolowo, Yoruba leader and politician died in her sleep on Saturday, September 19
HANNAH Idowu Dideolu (H.I.D) Awolowo, 99, matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, and wife of late Obafemi Awolowo, is dead. Nigerian Tribune, the family’s newspaper, announced her passing away on its website saying she died in her sleep on today, September 19.
Condoling the family of the deceased, President Muhammadu Buhari said he was saddened by the news of the passing away of Awolowo. “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 President said in a statement issued by Femi Adesina, his spokesman.
“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”.
She was born in November 25, 1915, to a modest family in the small Ikenne community of Ogun State in Nigeria. She married Obafemi Awolowo from December 26, 1937 to his death in 1987.] He famously referred to her as his “jewel of inestimable value” She was also a successful businesswoman and astute politician. She played an active role in the politics of Western Nigeria. She stood in for her husband in the alliance formed between the NCNC and the AG, called the United Progressive Grand Alliance, UPGA, while he was tried and in jail.
The plans were that she would contest the elections, and if she won, would step down for her husband in a by-election. To fulfil his dream of becoming president in the Second Republic, she toured the length and breadth of the country with her husband campaigning. She also coordinated the women’s wing of the party and was always present at all party caucuses. A successful businesswoman, she became the first Nigerian distributor for the Nigerian Tobacco Company, NTC, in 1957. She was the first to import lace materials and other textiles into Nigeria.
— September 19, 2015 @9:55 GMT
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