Ibadan stands still for HID Awolowo.

•Ajimobi, Ambode, Aregbesola pay tribute

Thousands of residents in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, trooped out yesterday to honour the late matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo.

As early as 7:30am, major roads leading to Oke Bola, Oke Ado and Agbeni were shut. Commuters 
were stranded due to unavailability of commercial vehicles.

At 8:30am, the convoy from Ogun State arrived at the Ibadan Toll Gate, where the body was received by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

The body arrived at the Awolowo residence in Oke-Bola at 9.15am before it was moved to the Methodist Cathedral Church, Agbeni for a commendation service.

The service was coordinated by the Bishop of Ibadan, the Most Rev. Kehinde Stephen.

Rev Stephen recalled that the last time he had an encounter with Mrs. Awolowo was in February when Nigerian Tribune was launching a new printing machine.

“When she saw me she said His Grace it’s nice to see you again. Why have you abandoned me and do not visit me again? She asked after my children.

“She had a sound retentive memory and she was a fast reader. She was a caring mother who not only nurtured her children to excellence but cared about the welfare of the other people’s children,” he said.

The cleric said the Methodist Church will always respect the Awolowo dynasty for its love for education.

“The Awolowo family promoted quality education and is passionate about the welfare of the masses. Today, the education sector has been neglected by successive governments.

“If we make education a priority, it will save the masses and safeguard the future of our children.”

He appealed to the Awolowo family to sustain the Nigerian Tribuneand open a special trust to sustain the newspaper.

Ajimobi said the Yoruba and Nigerians are proud of the late matriarch’s legacies.

“Ibadan is the home of Awolowos and the giants stride recorded by the late sage can be traced to Ibadan. Mama’s diligence and outstanding performance can be seen in the way she administered the 
Nigerian Tribune. She is remembered for her kind heartedness and her service to humanity.

“Mama was a detribalised Nigerian. Mama had strong discipline, principle and doggedness. She gave many people sound education and we are also making education one of our main priorities. Mama was an epitome of the Yoruba and motherhood,” he said.

The governor urged the family to emulate the matriarch’s exemplary lifestyle.

After the commendation service, the body was moved to the premises of African Newspapers of Nigeria Ltd, publishers of the Nigerian Tribune.

In his tribute, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola said politicians should learn from the glorious exit and honour received by the late Mrs Awolowo.

“She represented the best in coordinating and supporting for the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awowolo. Any woman who stood with Baba Awolowo should be honoured,” Aregbesola said.

Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode said Nigerians are remembering mama today because she was the spirit behind the vision of the late sage.

He said:” We must continue with that spirit. We should not allow the Awolowo legacy to die because we are yet to achieve the vision of the late sage and we need all the support of womanhood to achieve it.”

The first female judge in Nigeria, Mrs Folake Solanke (SAN), said Mama’s death has been a great 
experience.

She said: “She was an exemplary wife. She reached an age worthy of celebration and her legacies will continue to live after her.”

The wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, said:” Mama lived a great life and all women should emulate her virtues. We should be able to stand the test of time.”

The first grandson, Segun Awolowo Jr, said what he would missed about his grandmother was her dependability, stability and ability to hold the family together.

In his vote of thanks, the Managing Director of Nigerian Tribune, Edward Dickson, promised that the firm would continue to sustain the Awolowo legacy and the newspaper.