A former Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, and his wife, Iyabo, were among the first callers to the Ikenne country home of the Awolowos on Thursday to condole with the family on the death of their matriarch, Hannah Idowu Dideolu.
Also, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, a former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, and President, Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, were also in Ikenne on Thursday to pay their condolences.
She passed on last Saturday at her Ikenne home at exactly 3.15pm.
In his condolence message, Ogunshola described the late HID Awolowo as a courageous and an industrious woman.
He wrote, “She was a woman of exceptional industry and courage. She has a reserved place in history.”
Also, Adewole said the matriarch of the Awolowo family represented the best of womanhood.
He said, “You represent the best of womanhood, an icon and an ideal lady. The Awolowo name is our symbol and shall live forever. We must not mourn but celebrate the name, symbol and the best of humanity.”
In his own remark, Adeniran described her as “a great mother to us all, a leader and a moving spirit that kept the fire of patriotism and solidarity burning throughout the land of Oduduwa.”
On her part, Okei-Odumakin also said HID Awolowo would be remembered for her uncommon courage.
She said, “Mama, our jewel of inestimable value, will be remembered for her uncommon courage and standing solidly behind our Papa. Adieu, heroine across generations.”
Others who also came to pay their condolences include wife of the late NADECO chieftain, Chief Alfred Rewane, Dr. Doris, and Ambassador Yemi Farombi.
Meanwhile, a foundation will soon be inaugurated in honour of the deceased.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Director of the Awolowo Foundation, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the foundation will be instituted “to celebrate and commemorate in perpetuity the outstanding contributions of Mama to family values, entrepreneurship and perseverance in the face of adversity.”
It added, “Though the details and fine points of this initiative are being worked out, it takes no great insight to appreciate the synergy between the values that Mama stood for and exemplified, and the legacy of the sage, from which the Foundation has derived its core mandate and competencies.
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