Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Olusegun Osoba with Hannah Awolowo in March 2013 after Oluwole Awolowo’s death
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
The last daughter of late Mama HID Awolowo,the matriarch of the Awolowo family,Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu has declared that she is still in shock over the sudden death of her mother.
She disclosed that the death of her mother was still a surprise as she never saw any sign that showed that her mother would die.
Speaking with newsmen this morning after the celebration of life service held in honour of the late Yeye Oba Oodua of the source at the Efunyela Hall, Tokunbo said she would miss her mother so much.
She however expressed joy that her mother breathed her last in her arm.
‘This will remain a great thing to be remembered in my life”, she said.
She revealed that the family was still considering whether the burial should hold on Mama’s birthday.
“My mother’s death is still a shock to me,I never thought that my mother would die yesterday. She never showed any sign of death. She was with us,she prayed with us and even ate with us.
“She left us after spending like one hour with us and went in,just to be called in and see how she was doing and I’m happy that she breathed her last in my arms. I never thought Mama would die so suddenly.
“I felt disappointed that she did not live to see how people loved her during her birthday celebration rather than celebrating her posthumously.
Also speaking exclusively with our correspondent,one of the grand daughters of the late matriarch,Mrs Ayotola Ayodeji,née Oyediran said her late grand mother was a sacrificial mother.
She said Mama was there for them since birth,even,after their grand father,Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo left them some 27 years ago.
According to her,”having lived 49years with her,I will miss a lot from her. Her counsel,her warmth,her jokes and her sense of remembrance. She will remember anything you discuss,even after days.
“We were brought up intimately by her and Papa,since Papa left us,Mama has been there for us. She was with us briefly before she died. We were the one that bathed and dressed her before taking her to the mortuary.
“She was a sacrificial mother,she loved to keep her sacrifice silence,she loved helping everybody and all these she has impacted in us,we will surely miss her so much,”she said.
In her own remark,daughter of late educationist,Tai Solarin, Corin Solarin said she has finally lost her second mother.
She described her as a role model and icon for women and a shining light for every woman in the country.
Corin,who signed the condolence register this morning however maintained that,they are celebrating and not mourning the woman,who she has known in the last 40 years.
“I have never regretted since I have been your family photographer past 40 years,”she wrote in her remarks in the condolence register.
Among those that came in to pay their last respect to the Mama today includes Sir Kessington Adebutu, Col. J. O. Oladipo,Commander,Army Barrack,Ilese,Ijebu, CP Abdulmajid Ali,Commissioner of Police,Ogun state,Rotimi Paseda,UPN governorship candidate in the last election in Ogun state,Sir Tayo Ogunsanya,Chief Mrs Adebanjo,wife of the Afenifere chieftain,Pa Ayo Adebanjo.
Others are Prince Adedamola Aderemi,son of Late Ooni of Ife,Alhaji Adewale Ayuba,Bonsue Fuji King,Comrade Prince Adeleke Adebajo,Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria,NYCN,Ogun state chapter,ably represented by Coordinators of Sagamu and Ikenne local government areas.
Also today, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and Governors Abiola Ajimobi, Akinwunmi Ambode and Rauf Aregbesola also visited.