By Waheed Adekunle, Osogbo
The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has charged Nigerians to imbibe the enigmatic virtues of the Awolowo’s family that brought light to the sociio-political, economic, educational and cultural emancipation of Africa and Nigeria in particular.
Governor Aregbesola gave the charge during the Order of Commendation Service in honour of the late Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, at Methodist Cathedral and lying-in-state at the Headquarters of Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Governor Aregbesola who described the late Mrs. Awolowo as an indefatigable pillar of support, collaboration and partner to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, said there is the need for women to remain committed and dedicated to the ideology and philosophy of their husbands irrespective of the circumstance that comes around.
Governor Aregbesola said the late Mrs. Awolowo dedicated her entire life to service God and humanity as she didn’t deviate from the ideology of her husband.
He called on the wives of the politicians and public servants to emulate the virtues of Mrs. Awolowo and remain steadfast and resilient as the legacies left behind by Awolowo’s family would live forever.
He said, “here lies the remains of a best example of how to be a good public servant and epitome of humanhood.
“The aspiring politicians most importantly women and those who look up to public life should imbibe the spirit of how to be of good partner, support and help to their spouse because the exemplary life of the late Mrs. Awolowo has definitely set a pace for whoever wishes to tow the right path of fulfillment and abundance.
“Mama had demonstrated a perfect example on how to be a worthy partner to a public servant.
“Mama to me in her life represented the best in collaboration, cooperation and partnership in the life of a very valuable and never-to-say die politician.
“Words cannot enumerate the virtues of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, but for any woman to have chosen the way and manner that Mama did to such an enigma of Pa Awolowo, infact is a mark of great honour”, he said.
Governor Aregbesola who bid the deceased a warmth farewell called on all to emulate and consolidate on the Awolowo’s legacies.
Earlier in his remark, the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi described the late Mrs. Awolowo as a jewel of inestimable value.
He said the time has come for Yoruba people to entrench and enshrine the political philosophy and ideology of the late sage in all aspects of life.
Governor Ajimobi who described the occasion as historic in the socio-political anal of Oyo State, said with celebration of a worthwhile and glorious exist of Mrs. Awolowo, the state has truly proved itself as the pace setter.
He described the deceased as the mother of Nigeria and Africa whose virtues to anything progressive cannot be underestimated.
Governor Ajimobi said the worthy life lived by Mrs. Awolowo has epitomized her as a woman of credibility, humility, diligence and forthrightness who used everything at her disposal to complement her husband ideals.
Governor Ajimobi stressed that the world would continue to glorify and celebrate the great passage of a charismatic and ebullient woman of a lifetime.
“Today is historic in the socio-political anal of Oyo State. Our state has again showed to the world as the first and corporate entity that celebrates the glorious exist of an illustrious and most respectful Icon, Chief Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.
“There is no doubt in the fact that the late Mrs. Awolowo was a supportive pillar to our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who lived all his life to liberate, unite and foster the spirit of togetherness between and among Nigerians, Africans and the entire world.
“Awolowo’s family have written their names on the good side of history as the legacy of free quality and qualitative education single-handedly originated by our iconic sage, Chief Awolowo would continue to live forever”, Ajimobi stressed.
He said the philosophy of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo on holistic educational structure has yielded positive results most especially in the Southwestern region, Nigeria and in Africa.
He said, “what mostly admired me most is the trends of development and achievements recorded through onerous efforts of our father and leader, Chief Awolowo.
“Mama Awolowo was very detribalized and committed to anything progressive as she had never showed sense of sentiment despite the fact that Nigeria is made of multi-ethnic groups.
He therefore pledged his administration’s commitment to consolidate and build on the template of progress, growth and development as been championed by the late sage.
In his speech, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode said mama means a lot to the people of Lagos State especially on her contributions to the economic emancipation of the state.
He called on those who believed on the political ideology of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo to carry on with the spirit of good vision as the posterity is there to judge every action.
He said Nigeria will definitely miss her sterling qualities, commitment and dedication to humanity.
In his sermon, the Archbishop of Ibadan Methodist Cathedral, Bishop Micheal Kehinde Stephen extolled the exemplary virtues of late HID who he described as a woman who lived all her life to service God and humanity.
Bishop Stephen described the deceased as a mother of faith who used to seek for both physical and spiritual well being of her people in line with the commandment of God and practice of Jesus christ.
According to him, “Mama worked so well and passionately in the church. She contributed significantly to the building of churches not only in Nigeria but all over the world.
“She was a woman of extra-ordinary quality who served her husband meritoriously in all aspects of life most especially the socio-political, ethnical and religious life of Yoruba people.
“Mama worked with the later sage, Obafemi Awolowo to promote the concept of national unity and cohesion presently enjoying in the country.
“She did everything with the fear of God and remained the most loving and caring mother to all and sundry as she never departed from these indispensable virtues till her last breaths.
“Yeye Oodu of yorubaland had a sincere relationship with every body and she treated everyone as her biological son or daughter.
Bishop Stephen said marriage of the duo (Chief Obafemi Awowolo and Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu) gave birth to new Nigeria and Africa as they struggled doggedly for total emancipation of Africa.
Bishop Stephen eulogized late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s holistic educational legacy that brought light to Africa, saying even at the face of the oppression, he remained focused and determined to his just cause.
Bishop Stephen expressed sorrow over what he regarded as a great loss of most valuable gem of century, said their selfless contributions to the development of Nigeria and Africa can never be overemphasized.
He described Mama Awolowo as a woman of faith who always allowed God to choose her path as she had an unbroken relationship with her creator.
Bishop Stephen called on people to seek the face of God and walk in Him while they allow God to design their paths as nothing seems impossible before Him.
He lamented over what he regarded as a great setback in educational sector, charging government to address the decay in the sector.
“It is regrettable that our education system in Nigeria has failed as a nation to compete comprehensively with her counterparts and for this reason, Awolowo dynasty wouldn’t be happy with it as we have deviated from the policies and philosophy of the originator”, he stated.
Bishop Stephen called on governments to revitalize educational sector and improve the welfare of teachers as being laid by Awoists.
Meanwhile, the remains of Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID), the Awolowo matriarch dynasty, turned Ibadan metropolis agog as people from all walks of life trooped out enmasse to receive and give her last respect.
The corpse which arrived Ibadan early hours had a stop over at Lagos-Ibadan toll gate where residents of the ancient town assembled to welcome the entourage of the deceased.
The motorcade of the corpse however after some hours took a strategic voyage through Challenge area of Ibadan down to the residence of the Late Obafemi Awolowo at Oke-Bola, where lying-in-state service was held.
The residents of the town were seen on strategic streets ecstatically lined up to catch a glimpse of Mama as markets and shops were shut to give last respect to the deceased.
Security operatives were mounted at strategic places to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
At Awolowo’s residence, the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi who personally received the corpse from the officials of Lagos State Government as a way of giving his last respect to the deceased led other dignitaries from all walks of life.
Shortly after this, the corpse was taken to Methodist Church, Agbeni for special Order of Commendation Service and Head Quarters of Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, Ibadan.
It would be recalled that Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo died on 19th of September, 2015 at her residence, Ikenne, Ogun State at the age of 99 years.
Personalities at the ceremony were, Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his wife, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola, Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, Wife of the Minister of Mineral Resources, Mrs. Erelu Fayemi, Former Nigeria Ambassador to Phillipines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Former Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, representatives of Ondo and Ekiti State Governors, among others.
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