19th September, 2015
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has described the death of the Awolowo matriarch, Chief Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, as a colossal loss not only to the Yoruba nation but also to the Nigerian federation and Africa at large.
Obasa, while reacting to Mrs. Awolowo’s death on Saturday afternoon, said he was shocked by the news.
“I was shocked when I learnt of the news,” he said.
“Personally, despite the fact that Mama died at a very ripe age, we will still miss her and the Nigerian federation will miss her most because this is the moment her words of wisdom, advice and motherly role is most critically needed to contribute to the growth of our democracy which her great husband with her by his side, lived and died for,” the Speaker said.
Obasa described the deceased as a loving, obedient, loyal, committed and persevering wife who stood strongly by her late husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo during his political travails.
“Even after his death almost three decades ago, she had been strong, keeping the family together and playing motherly role to the Yoruba nation and the Nigerian federation.
“In all these, she never forsook her love for our dear Papa, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Suffice to add that the evidence of their everlasting love is confirmed in the fact that both husband and wife died on a Saturday,” he said.
Obasa condoled with the Awolowo family of Ikenne Remo, the government and people of Ogun State and the entire Nigerian federation.
“Her death coming at this critical point in our democracy is very painful but we take solace in the fact that she lived a fulfilled life and played her role wonderfully well as the mother of the nation. Almighty God will grant her soul eternal rest,” he said.
He stated further that the entire Nigerian nation will miss the woman her globally acclaimed husband described as ‘Jewel of Inestimable Value’ due to her commitment, loyalty, love and perseverance during his incarceration.