It was tributes galore for the late Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo as her final journey home began in Apapa, Lagos with the lying-in-state of the woman described by many as pillar of success of her husband.
The lying-in-state took place at 31 Park Lane, Apapa, one of the political homes of HID's late husband and former premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Mama HID died on Saturday, September 19, 2015 in Ikenne, Ogun State, precisely 67 days to her centenary birthday.
Nigerians and non-nationals of differrent social, religious and economic status paid their last respect to her.
The black hearse coveying the remains of HID which was driven by Ajao, 47, was forced to a stop about 500 kilometres to the family house, TheSun reports.
Thereafter, six pall bearers from the TOS Funerals Undertakers lifted the glass-casket amid singing, dancing and drumming with family members singing praises of the late woman.
On arrival at the family house, two, Anglican priests, who described Mrs. Awolowo as a pious woman who served God till her death, also prayed for the entire family members.
Thereafter, people of diversed background, young and old of different gender, filed past the remains of the “jewel of inestimable value” dressed in white and yellow native attires.
Last Respect
Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, described the late woman as a rare mother.
He said, “the fact that the final journey of Mama is commencing from Lagos signifies the fact that this is a huge loss to the whole of Lagosians."
” the mere fact that also we are remembering Mama from Park Lane, Apapa also shows that she has been a major bastion of commerce and trade and the whole development of Lagos State.
” For us, this is a Lagos loss, it is not even about Yoruba loss alone. So coming here is just to show that togetherness in all of us that we would remember Mama for every good thing that she has been very humble.
“She's been very generous and she like Papa always said, you know the real Inestimable Jewel of everybody. So we would miss her greatly.
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who also stormed there with retinue of aides to paay his last respect, urged Nigerian women to emulate the late woman.
“Mama was supportive of Papa Awolowo. Nigerians, particularly the women, folk need to learn from this rare virtue. She was someone, that needs to be emulated.
On his part, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of King International Christian Centre (KICC), after paying his last respect stated there was need for Nigerians to celebrate the exit of ChiefAwolowo because of how she touched many lives during her lifetime
.”Awolowo family has influenced many lives during their life time. They have touched many lives. If not for Papa Awolowo, many people would not have been a professor, doctor, engineer, administrator and many others today.
"A lot of people, especially in the Western Region benefited immensely from Awolowo’s free education. We must celebrate Mama’s exit,” he stated.
A Christian interdenominational service later held at the Apapa home of the Awolowos.
Her remains will tomorrow morning leave Lagos for Ibadan, where a lying -in-state will later hold at the Oke Bola home of the Awolowos and at, the Tribune House.
She would be buried after a funeral service at the Saints. Saviours Anglican Church on Wednesday November 25 in Ikenne after series of funeral programmes.