Wife of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID), will begin her final journey home from November 15, and the Ogun State government has stated President Muhammadu Buhari, and all the 36 state governors are expected at her funeral on November 25.
This was disclosed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, yesterday during a press conference held inside the Efunyela Hall, Ikenne to herald the activities lined up for the burial of the late HID Awolowo, who died on September 19, 2015.
Adeoluwa, who jointly addressed the press conference with the two surviving daughters of the late matriarch, Mrs. Tola Oyediran and Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, stated invitation letters had already been sent to President Muhammadu Buhari and 35 other state governors excluding the host governor, Ibikunle Amosun, to attend the event and pay tributes to her.
As stated by the SSG, the government had taken this step because HID Awolowo belonged to the entire country and her final departure should be celebrated by all Nigerians.
He said: “The Ogun State Government is involved in everything. We are powering the events. We are fully involved in the programmes. Mama belonged to everybody, not just the Yoruba. The governor is the chief mourner. On Monday, November 23, the Ogun State Government and the people of the state will be celebrating the matriarch of the Awolowo family and bid her farewell.
“The governor will be hosting his brother governors. Letters have been sent to 35 state governors and to Mr. President, that they should come and honour Mama.
“The chairmen and the legislative arms of the 20 local governments in the state have also been invited. It will be an afternoon of tributes from the governors.”
Adeoluwa stated Governor Amosun had the plans to immortalise the late matriach of the Awolowos. But he explained that this would be done after the necessary approval had been given by the State Executive Council.
“The governor will first take the matter before the State Executive Council where a final approval will be given and he will later announce that in a state-wide broadcast to the people,” he stated.
Announcing the 11-day programmes for the final burial of the late matriarch, which would run between November 15 and November 25, one of her daughters, who doubles as the chairman of the Central Burial Planning Committee, Dr. Awolowo-Dosunmu, stated only 690 persons, including important personalities and family members would be accommodated inside the main auditorium of the Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne where the funeral service would be held.