President Bola Tinubu has honoured the memory of the late matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, describing her as a national figure whose life embodied courage, dignity, and service.
In a statement issued on Friday to mark the tenth anniversary of her passing, Tinubu said Mama Awolowo’s legacy remains an inspiration to Nigerians across generations.
“Ten years may have passed, but the memory of Mama HID Awolowo remains fresh with deep respect in the heart of our nation,” the President noted. “She was a pillar of courage and dignity who stood firmly beside Chief Obafemi Awolowo and carried his legacy with uncommon strength.”
Fondly referred to as the “Jewel of inestimable value,” Mama Awolowo was the wife of Nigeria’s foremost nationalist and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Widowed in 1987, she held the mantle of her husband’s political and social legacy for nearly three decades until her death in 2015 at the age of 99.
Also see: FG Orders Mining Firms to Finalise Community Development Deals by December
Tinubu stressed that she was more than a spouse and mother, noting that her resilience and leadership elevated her into a national role model. “She became a guiding light for generations of Nigerians, showing what it means to live with faith, discipline, and love for country,” he said.
The President added that her sacrifices offered a model of service and patriotism that should continue to guide the nation. He concluded with prayers for her lasting memory: “May your legacy continue to live on, Mama Awolowo.”
