HID Awolowo: We are still in a state of shock, says daughter
The eldest daughter of the late matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu(HID) Awolowo, Mrs Omotola Oyediran, has given more insights on her mother’s last moment before she passed away on Saturday afternoon.
Mrs Oyediran said Mama had requested for pounded yam with vegetable soup for her breakfast which she objected to on the grounds that the 99 years old Yeye Oba of Yorubaland shouldn’t have a heavy meal for a breakfast.
The daughter added that a light food, pap was prepared instead and served the deceased as breakfast after which she began to hold series of meeting with family members and other relatives in respect of the Centennary birthday slated for November 25.
Mrs Oyediran spoke at the Efunyela Hall at the Ikenne home of the Awolowos while briefing the Vice – President Yemi Osinbajo, the All Progressives Congress(APC) National leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Rauf Aregbesola(Osun), his Lagos state counterpart, Akinwunmi Ambode and Governor Abiola Ajumobi(Oyo).
According to HID’s eldest daughter, at launch time, mama ate pounded yam and vegetable soup before retiring to the bed to observe her siesta. Shortly after, someone called to notify the family that Mama was having difficulty with breathing.
Expectedly, she, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo – Dosunmu, four of her grandchildren and a representative of the great grandchildren rallied round Mama on her bed before passing on by 3:15pm.
“We are still in shock about the death of Mama because she was full of health and beauty yesterday no wonder my father married her and also described her as my jewel of inestimable value.
“In the morning she demanded to eat pounded yam with vegetable soup and I told Mama, you cant have a heavy meal in the morning. So, mama had pap before pounded yam (iyan) and efon(vegetable soup) and went to bed.
“Later, somebody called us to say she was not breathing properly, two of us – Tokunbo and I were present. I told Tokunbo, you are a doctor, why don’t you do something?
“You can’t sit watching Mama, pick your tools and begin to massage her because we were disturbed about the breathing but she couldn’t make it and died on Saturday afternoon. We will certainly miss her.
“She pased away in the presence of three generations. Her life is big challenge to us. She kept the faith, kept the Nigerian Tribune since 27 years after the death of Papa, we are still in a state of shock.”
Others present during the visit included APC National Publicity Secretary, Alh. Lai Mohammed, Commissioner of Police in the state, Abdulmajid Ali, Chief Bisi Akande, Pa Olanihun Ajayi, Govenor Okusegun Mimiko, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Senator Biyi Durojaiye, Senator Anthony Adefuye, and a delegation of the Federal Government led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
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