HID Awolowo’s burial holds today

Buhari, govs, others expected in Ikenne

All roads will lead to Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State today as the late Yeye Oodua and matriarch of Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, is laid to rest. Mama Awolowo, who died on September 19 at her residence in Ikenne-Remo, would have celebrated her centenary birthday today.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors across the 36 states of the federation and eminent Nigerians are billed to attend the burial. As last minute preparations were being made yesterday, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) honoured the late matriarch by organising a farewell programme for her.

The UPN National Chairman, Prof Bankole Okuwa, and the party’s governorship candidate in the April 11 election, Prince Rotimi Paseda, led hundreds of members to the event which took place at the party’s secretariat in Ikenne. Okuwa, who was one of the associates of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, recalled his relationship with the deceased, describing her as true jewel of inestimable value. On his part, Paseda, who extolled the virtues of Mama Awolowo, noted that the support she gave to her husband during their political travails was unprecedented.

The UPN chieftain described the ideology of the couple as exceptionally outstanding, adding that it was for simultaneous economic and human development. Paseda also canvassed the adoption of the economic policies of the late Chief Awolowo, saying they remained the best for Nigeria. Also yesterday, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, said that he has no doubt that the late Mama Awolowo is now resting in heaven.

The renowned minister of God said this at a private prayer session held with the family at the Efunyela Hall of the Awolowo’s residence in Ikenne-Remo. “By the special grace of God and because of my interaction with Mama, I have no doubt at all that she is in heaven now,” he said.

Adeboye, who shared his experience with the audience on how he confirmed that the late matriarch was already resting in heaven, noted that he had a personal encounter with her two weeks before her death. “Before Mama passed on, she was making a request and I was contacted.

I won’t go into details about the request but I was abroad and when I came back, I saw her and we had a little discussion before she passed away. As a result of that, I have no doubt that Mama is resting with the Lord,” the cleric added. Adeboye used the occasion to appeal to the congregation to also work hard towards making heaven in the eternal life.

“You have to consider your own case. Because all of us can’t say when it will be our turn. Would you end up resting in the Lord or you end up on the other side? The choice is yours,” he said. The General Overseer led a 20-minute prayer session which he stated was held on three points. He said, “The question is why are we having a special prayer at this time like this.

The reasons are: number one; that at a time of celebration that is when we are most vulnerable to the enemies. “If you look through the scriptures, you will find out that most of the people who ran into serious problems got into trouble because of celebrations and we don’t want that to happen during this celebration. “This is a very big celebration involving the whole nation.

We want to pray in advance that nothing evil will happen to us during this celebration and after this celebration.” “Second reason why we need to pray is because a lot and lots of people will be coming. We don’t want anybody to say that it was when I was returning for any occasion that I had an accident. We have started peacefully and we will end it peacefully.

We want people to come in peace and return in peace. “Thirdly, why we need to pray because of the legacy of our parents who have gone. We want it said that after the transition of Papa and Mama, the Awolowo family became stronger and bigger. We don’t want a situation where things will now begin to diminish. We want to pray for the legacy they are leaving behind that the Almighty God will keep the legacy and move the children to higher heights.”