Chief (Mrs) Dideolu Awolowo Announced Dead At 99yrs Old

      President Muhammadu Buhari said he received with immense sadness news of the passing away of Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo.


In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the president, on behalf of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, extended 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  joined the Awolowo family and millions of admirers of her late, revered husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in mourning Mrs Awolowo.

The president said HID Awolowo would be long remembered and celebrated as the famous spouse and pillar of strength of the late nationalist, political leader and sage.

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko also expressed shock at the death of of Mrs H I D Awolowo.

"To say that I am shocked by the devastating news of the passing of Mama HID Awolowo, the Yeye Oodua and one of the most notable icons of Nigerian history at a time we are all looking forward to her centenary celebrations  would be an understatement," he said..

Mimiko in a statement described the deceased as a supremely intelligent, kind-hearted, loving and caring mother of the Yoruba nation.

Mama, as no one would doubt, remains a Jewel of Inestimable Value even in transition to glory.

It is traditional to recognise the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as the greatest Nigerian ever, but Awo would not have been the colossus that he was if not for the pillar he had in Mama in his battles against the forces of underdevelopment and tyranny, and in the face of unceasing persecutions following his tireless commitment to democracy and the advancement of the African cause.

As the mother of the Yoruba nation, Mama made invaluable contributions to the Awolowo School of progressive politics encapsulated in the social democratic mantra of Life More, Mimiko said.