HID Awolowo Dies At 99

She died surrounded by her great, great grandchildren – eldest daughter Obasanjo, Ogun Deputy Governor among early callers

The eldest daughter of the late Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, Omolola said yesterday that her mother died peacefully. The matriarch of the Awolowo family died yesterday at the age of 99, some 67 days to her 100th birthday.

According to Mrs Omolola, “Mama, as usual, woke up to join us in the main room and, as usual, we sang for her and we told her about the meeting of the committee responsible for her centenary birthday. She was in high spirits. At about 3.15pm she died peacefully, with many of her great, great grandchildren up to the third generation all around her.”

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday described the death of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, as a loss to the nation.

Obasanjo, who said she was an icon who should be celebrated, arrived at the Ikenne country home of the Awolowo’s at about 7.15pm and was received by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa; her eldest daughter, Mrs Omolola Oyediran; Dr (Mrs) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun and Ogun state deputy governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga.

Ex-President Obasanjo said that her death should be celebrated, saying, “It is the passage of an icon. Normally for all of us it should be a mixed feeling because Mama had lived a life that most of us will envy, but it doesn’t matter how long our loved ones had lived we will still want them to remain with us.

“We must thank God because Mama had lived through vicissitude of life but she had died in peace. For her it is a peaceful exit into the great beyond.

“Mama’s life had been a joy to many as the matriarch of the Yoruba race having been the first lady of the Western Region. There must not be a vacuum. Mama’s shoe is too big, what all of us will have to do is to make our feet bigger so as to enter her shoe.

“We have no cause to be downcast. Mama should be celebrated for each and every one of us there is a lesson to learn from her,” he said.

The State deputy governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, in her condolence message, wrote,” The Government and the people of Ogun State commiserate with the entire children and family on the passing unto glory of their matriarch.”