Exactly 28 years after the passage of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, late matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo will today, November 25, be buried beside her husband in the family compound in Ikenne, Ogun state.
HID Awolowo died on Saturday, September 19 shortly after a meeting with her family members, at the age of 99.
If death hadn’t come knocking, late HID Awolowo would have been celebrating her 100 years birthday today.
However, going by the legacy she has left behind, the exit of the Yeye Oodua, as she also popularly known, is one that calls for celebration.
Until her death, Mama was a successful businesswoman and astute politician. She played an active role in the politics of Western Nigeria and was famously referred to her as his “jewel of inestimable value” by her late husband.
She became the first Nigerian distributor for the Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC) in 1957 and was the first to import lace materials and other textiles into Nigeria.
She was also the Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria Limited, publishers of the Nigerian Tribune established in November, 1949 by her husband.
Following this jewel of inestimable value, the Ikene residence of the Matriarch has since become the focus with people, men and women from all shades of life trooping in to register their condolences.
The recognition looks very much imminent as Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo will be buried today in a white damask apparel which she bought for herself about 36 years ago and a gold casket.
Naij.com is on ground at the venue of her funeral ceremony currently on-going at Our Saviour, Anglican church, Ikenne, to bring you live coverage of the Celebration of Life for a woman who played a key role, alongside her husband, in Nigeria’s independence movement.
11:27am: The entire city of Ikenne in Ikenne local government area of Ogun state today standstill as the remains of the late matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty,Chief Mrs HID Awolowo is to be laid to rest.
Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Kehinde Sofola way, Ikenne has been permanently shut down by heavy presence of security both from the state and the Presidency.
Open space in front of the ongoing Model school in Ikenne,which the governor recently named after the woman had been cleared for the President Muhammed Buhari chopper to land.
Federal government delegates have arrived with virtually all the Ministers on ground.
Past Presidents and Heads of State like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Yakubu Gowon,Ernest Sonekan,Oladipo Diya are already on seat.
Serving and past governors,including national leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress,APC,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife,Senator Oluremi Tinubu are there.
Roll call of dignataries in the church now are; Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel,Otunba Subomi Balogun, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Niyi Adebayo and many more others.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki arrived at about 10:16am with some members of the Senate.
Governors already on seat are; Olusegun Mimiko, of Ondo state ,Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers, Bimdowe of Adamawa, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Governor Ajimobi of Oyo state, amongst many others.
10:34: Strong APC kingpin and incumbent governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha has just walked in to pay his final tribute to MAMA. The funeral ceremony is currently on-going as the service of song is being taken.
Gov Rochas Okorocha
10:33: Former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has just arrived at the venue. He is immediately rushed inside the hall amidst tight security. More dignitaries still expected!
10:20: The corps of Late HID Awolowo is escorted inside the church by prominent Nigerians and some National Youth Service Corp members on ground.
10:10am: The Senate President Bukola Saraki and wife just arrived at the venue.
10:05am: Business mogul, Aliko Dangote has also arrived the venue.
10:02am: National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu just walked in with a large envoy which include his wife Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina, Minister of communication, Adebayo Shittu amongst many others.
10:00am: Dignitaries from all sphere of life have arrived to pay their final tribute to the Late Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.