Mama Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty died on Saturday afternoon.
The Yeye Oba of the Source (Ile Ife) died this afternoon at exactly 3:15pm at her residence in Ikenne in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, western Nigeria.
According to her first daughter, Mrs Omotola Oyediran, the woman died peacefully and joyously in the presence of virtually all her children and grand children.
Mama, as HID was fondly called by many during her lifetime was reported to have taken pounded cocoyam with her children and grand children at their meeting shortly before she breathed her last.
“We were in a meeting at Efunyela hall where arrangement on her centenary birthday was being planned. She came to meet us there and played a lot with us. She prayed a lot for all us one after the other and she even ate pounded cocoyam with us.
“Immediately after she finished eating, she told us that she wanted to go in and rest a bit, not knowing that she will be going to rest till eternity,” she revealed.
Meanwhile, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has described the late matriarch as a role model of distinction.
Her transition came at a time preparations were in top gear by the family and the state government for a befitting centenary celebration.
In a statement issued and signed this evening by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, the governor described her death as a great loss.
He however said Mama’s exit deserved celebration because her life and times were noble and golden, adding that “this was an exemplary life that truly ran its full course.
“Mama HID stood by her husband like the Rock of Gibraltar throughout the tough political career of the foremost nationalist and leader of the Action Group and Unity Party of Nigeria. She was indeed a ‘jewel of inestimable value’ as was fondly described by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“Nigeria has lost a role model of distinction, a highly disciplined and principled woman, a trustworthy ally and dependable politician who equally made her mark in the business world.”
The governor recalled that following the formation of the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) in 1964 between the Action Group (AG) and National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), Mama stood in for Chief Awolowo who was then in prison in the hope that she would contest the federal election and upon victory, step down for her husband in a by-election in order for the late sage to realise his political dream.
“In spite of the political vicissitudes of the First Republic, Mama HID toured the entire country with her husband campaigning in the Second Republic. She was a woman of valour and a friend indeed,” Amosun said.
The governor urged the younger generation of women to follow in the footsteps of Mama HID.
At her residence, both deputy governor and the SSG held a closed door meeting with the family members and the meeting lasted for about 45 minutes but the details not revealed.
Our correspondent gathered that the meeting was about how to organise a befitting burial for the matriarch, which was described as mother of all.
Speaking with our correspondent, the SSG informed that the state government will play an active role in the burial arrangement of the late sage wife.
He disclosed that he was with Mama on Thursday after the meeting of the planned centenary birthday celebration at her residence.
According to him, “truly Mama has gone, we thank God for her life. It is worthy to be noted that Mama’s death is a celebration to all of us. She lived an exemplary and worthy life.
“It is a lesson for every woman to learn from her life, she stood firmly by her husband through thick and thin. She was mother to the governor, she loved him so much like her own biological son and the governor also held her in high esteem. We are going to celebrate her a lot.
“I met with the family member briefly just now and I have told them that we are going to play an active role in her burial. When the family will be meeting over her burial arrangement, the government will definitely be part of the arrangement. We will officially announce the burial arrangement as we have officially announced her death now,”Adeoluwa said.
Among the early callers at the Ikenne residence of Awolowo this evening were Ogun State Government delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga, former governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun, wife of the state governor, and Senator Femi Okurounmu.
Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo (née Adelana) was born in Ikenne on 25 November, 1915.
Her remains have been deposited at the Babcock University morgue.
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