The Ogun State government has named the state-owned Model School in Ikenne and Plain Fields Estate, Abeokuta after the late Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo..
The Model School and Plain Fields Estate are being built by the Ibikunle Amosun administration.
Former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande; Minister of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi, his wife; Bisi, yesterday joined the people to celebrate the life of the matriarch of the Awolowo family.
For hours, dignitaries including Governor Amosun, chairman of the defunct Interim National Government (ING) Chief Ernest Shonekan; Chief Ayo Adebanjo and ex -military administrator of Ekiti State Gen Tunji Olurin extolled the virtues of Yeye Odua.
Amosun enjoined Yoruba women and Nigerians to imbibe Mama’s core values of selfless love and service to humanity.
According to the governor, the State Executive Council (SEC) concluded that one of the best ways in which the state could immortalise Mama Awolowo was to sustain the ideals and philosophy, which she stood for.
He noted that the late Yeye Odua worked for the stability of the Awolowo dynasty, standing by her husband throughout his political travails.
“We should imbibe her ideals, selfless service and love for humanity because it is the greatest legacy we can leave for Mama. We should copy all the good virtues, values and attributes of Mama HID because that is the way to honour her.
“Mama worked for the stability of Papa’s dynasty. She stood solid and resolute not only for the Awolowo family but also for the Yoruba. She was a good woman, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and daughter of Ogun State,” Amosun said.
For Shonekan, HID Awolowo was a rallying point in progressives’ politics, an exemplar in character, who worked diligently for the economic and socio-political development of Yorubaland.
He said Mama’s support for her husband was unique, adding that her “indelible marks on the sands of time and the legacies left behind will continue to speak for her”.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mama’s eldest daughter, Mrs Omotola Oyediran, said the show of love by Nigerians attested to their appreciation of what her parents did for the country.
The government has directed that all markets and public schools in Remo be closed tomorrow.
This was contained in a statement in Abeokuta yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa.
It stated that the closure was a mark of respect for the late matriarch.
The release, however, said the directive would affect only schools Ikenne, Remo North and Sagamu Local Government Areas.
”Government, hereby, appeals to market men and women as well as residents of the state to troop out en-masse to give late Mrs Awolowo a befitting burial,” it said
At the ceremony are wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson, Ambassador Olatokunbo Awolowo – Dosunmu, Chief Doja Adewolu, the General Overseer of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, among others.
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