SO many things are unique about Chief (Dr) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo
running from her birth, marriage, career and her person. In fact, the
one through whom the appellation “Jewel of inestimable value” was
brought to the consciousness of many men in Nigeria and even beyond
would forever be remembered for the strong support she was to her
husband.
Since her demise on Saturday, September 19, hundreds of accolades that
have poured in from all that have journeyed to the Ikenne home of the
Awolowos have been engraved on the marble: A woman of valour, of virtue,
courage and one who was loyal to her husband even till death.
It is interesting to note that HID Awolowo had, for over 30 years, kept a
white damask cloth she had chosen to be laid in her casket whenever she
bade the world goodbye.
According to one of her children, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, “Mama in
her unique way had kept a white damask to be laid in her casket
whenever she died since the day she stopped her fabric sales business.
And if I am not mistaken, I think she stopped selling fabrics around
1979; meaning that since then, she had kept that damask for that
purpose. That is her wish and it will be like that.”
Not many people would have had the courage to prepare for such a dreaded
day of one’s demise. But HID did so, and in a wonderful manner.
Reverend Oyediran also informed Nigerian Tribune that her casket made of
gold would be brought in from the United States of America. Her mother,
Oyediran further added, would be buried beside her husband inside the
Awolowo mausoleum in the compound.
A peep inside the all marble mausoleum reveals an immaculate tomb where
the remains of the former Premier of the old Western Region, Chief
Obafemi Awolowo, SAN, GCFR lie.
The remains of the leader of the Action Group (AG) lie in a grave right
below a brownish sculpture of him. Another space meant for his jewel of
inestimable value was recently created.
On this side, to the left of the sage’s grave, where Mama HID would be
buried lies the famous glass casket used for Awolowo’s lying in state
which was also used to embalm Papa for nine years before he was finally
interred. This casket for the first time was taken out of the mausoleum
about two weeks ago in preparation for Mama’s burial.
Other items inside the mausoleum as disclosed by Mr Yakub Ismaila who
has been working with the Awolowos for over 25 years are the photograph
of the sage’s lying-in-state, the Nigerian flag beside the stairs into
the graveside, three wreaths, an altar with two golden candlesticks and a
cross, and a blue-coloured family Bible presented to Papa Awolowo
during his 72nd birthday by Honourable Justice S.O. Sogbetun and Mrs
C.B. Sogbetun on March 6, 1981.
Work has been in top gear to put Mama’s resting place in great shape.
Though her grave has not yet been dug, everything needed has been
concluded.
The mausoleum which is occasionally opened to guests especially on
notable events has the tinted glass placed around the graveside for
safety removed. This, Yakub said, is to afford several guests who are
expected to enter the place on the day of burial have unhindered access
to the proceedings of November 25.
According to him, “We removed the tinted glass on the sides around the
wall of the graveside and the door to the ground floor where Papa’s tomb
is with his sculpture.
“These times,” according to Yakub are, “Papa’s Remembrance Day on May 9
when he died, his posthumous birthday, on March 6 and Mama’s birthday,
November 25 of every year, among others.”
In addition, the entire compound is also wearing a new look. Most of the
buildings in the compound are currently being re-painted.
From the mausoleum to the museum, Efunyela Hall, the main building
likewise the fences around, indeed, the Awolowo compound has been made
new as the November 25 date approaches.
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