The eldest daughter of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Rev. Omotola Oyediran, has said that one day a descendant of the late sage will become the President of Nigeria.
She said this on Tuesday while responding to the condolence messages Nigerians had sent to the family since theie matriarch, Mrs. Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, died last Saturday.
Though she said she once stopped praying about it, she, however, expressed the belief that it would happen.
She said, “I used to pray daily that one day a descendant of the Awolowo family will become the President of Nigeria, but I stopped and I do not know why I stopped. But I want to say it again that one day a descendant of the Awolowos will become the President of Nigeria.”
Among the early callers at the Ikenne home of the Awolowos were the chieftain of the Yoruba Council of Elders, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo(retd.), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the National Coordinator, Oodua Peoples Congress, Gani Adams.
Adebayo acknowledged HID Awolowo’s contributions to the unity of Yorubaland, stressing that her life was worthy of emulation.
He said, “Mama contributed to the unity of Yorubaland. She lived a remarkable life, worthy of emulation. Her lifetime is a lesson for the rest of us, to teach us how to live our lives.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, described her death as a loss not only to her children but to Nigeria as a whole.
She said, “We have lost a woman of substance, an enigma, a woman of all seasons that touched virtually all spheres of life.
“She came, saw and conquered. She was a mother, wife, political icon and a woman of many parts.
“A role model personified. A mother I loved and admired. Her death is a loss not only to her biological children, but to the Yoruba race and Nigeria at large.”
Adams noted that God had blessed Mama HID Awolowo with resourceful children, who could sustain the family’s enviable legacy.
The wife of the former chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih, Josephine, also came on a condolence visit.
Also, the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, commiserated with the Awolowo family on the death of Mrs. Awolowo.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Anya, the governor noted that though her death was demoralising, Nigerians should thank God because she lived a worthy life.
He said, “It is a known fact that Mama, even in her old age, was a rallying-point not only in South-West politics but across the nation. Her husband and the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, once described Mama HID as his “jewel of inestimable value” but I state here that Nigeria has lost that same jewel that the late Chief Awolowo left for us. To my brother, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, and the good people of Ogun State, please accept my condolences.”
The Ogun State chapters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the All Progressives Congress, and the Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Prof. Saburi Adesanya, have also extolled the virtues of Mama Awolowo.
In separate statements made available to our correspondent in Abeokuta on Tuesday, they described Mama HID Awolowo as a “great mother, mother of nations, a bridge builder, a stabiliser and an icon.”
Adesanya, in a statement signed by the Head, Corporate Affairs of the institution, Adeniyi Oduwole, described Mama HID as an epitome of industry, selflessness and commitment to family values.
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