rama“BEFORE Oba Sijuwade became the Ooni of Ife, he had become like a member of our family”, H.I.D told her first biographer, Chief Tola Adeniyi. “After he became the Ooni, we got even closer. Our relationship became like a mother to son and he is particularly good to us. Before he ascended the throne, he was always our host in England. He (ensured) our welfare any time we were on (a) visit there. And since the death of Papa, he took me like a biological mother”.
The Ooni installed H.I.D the Yeye Oba (the King’s Mother) shortly after his coronation in 1980. Two weeks before he died in London on July 28, 2015, at 85, I spoke with the Ooni in his palace in Ile-Ife about H.I.D. Oba Sijuwade revealed that Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, Chief (Mrs.) H.I.D Awolowo persuaded him to ascend the throne of his forebears.
“I would not have been here today”, the Ooni disclosed. “It was Papa (Awolowo) who persuaded me to take up this stool. It was as if he compelled me to take the throne.”
He was resplendent, as usual, and became very animated once I mentioned H.I.D. Asked about his relations with the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, he said “very great”. He then added in Yoruba that “it is as if she brought me up….She is like the mother to whom I was born. I cannot sufficiently describe the nature of our relationship. I was living in London at the time when Papa Awolowo asked me to return home after the late Ooni (AdesojiAderemi) joined the ancestors. I was operating my businesses from London and had branches all over the world. But Awolowo said to me, ‘it’s time to return home and ascend the throne’. If such an elderly and wise person as Papa, and Mama who joined him in persuading me, asked you to do something, given the love they had shown me, and the fact that they were like my parents, I had to accept”.
The Ife monarch described H.I.D as “just unbeatable”, adding that “she is almost 100 and her brain is still intact. She still does everything. She will remind you of what you have forgotten. I have never witnessed this kind of thing before. Papa Awolowo was very lucky to have married Mama”. The wife of the president, Mrs Stella Obasanjo, who was present at H.I.D’s 88th birthday in 2003 also attested to the matriarch marvellous memory. She said for many years before she became the first lady, she met H.I.D at public events and greeted her well, but suspected that she didn’t know who she was. “So one day, I said to her ‘do you remember me?’ She said ‘Of course. I know you. You were Miss Abebe before you got married’. I was surprised. But I am very happy today”, revealed Nigeria’s former first lady at H.I.D’s 88th birthday celebrations.
Also at the event, the Ooni announced H.I.D’s elevation from Yeye Oba to Yeye O’odua. Oba Sijuwade told to the gathering: “Members of the House of Oduduwa met within the last twenty-four hours and they have decided that as from today, Mama will now be addressed as Yeyeoba O’odua”.
Seven years later when she celebrated her 95th birthday, the Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel described H.I.D’s life as “challenging, fulfilling and encouraging”. Addressing the nonagenarian, Daniel – whom H.I.D acknowledged as one whose government has honoured her more than any other – said “Mama, your life has not only demonstrated the virtue in hard work, perseverance and consistency as believed by the Yorubas, it has equally served as a source of meaningful encouragements to thousands of Nigerians irrespective of age, gender or ethnic category”. Two years later when H.I.D celebrated her 97th birthday, Daniel described her as “a personification of the good wife, the caring mother and the woman with enough deep conviction to weather the storm of life without giving up…. (She) was never over-awed in the face of calculated and concerted efforts to destroy whatever Chief Awolowo stood for”.
Six years before, that is when Awolowo’s widow was celebrating her 91st birthday, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba LamidiOlayiwolaAdeyemi III, described H.I.D’s life as “a shining example in womanhood, not only in Nigeria but Black Africa and Diaspora”. The Alaafin added, “We salute her courage, admire her charm and exalt her (womanhood) which has continued to endear her to all the people everywhere both at home and abroad”. When she clocked 99, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State stated that H.I.D “signpost(s) all that is good in womanhood”, telling her that “You possess all the good qualities of a good wife and mother to all and sundry. We will continue to draw from your wealth of experience”.
President Goodluck Jonathan in his own message to the matriarch at 99 stated: “As you continue to play the role of matriarch to us all in the spirit of your late revered husband, the quintessential leader of men, Chief Awolowo, it is my prayer that the Almighty God will grant you with many more years in good health”.
In recognition of her contribution to society and the nation at large, H.I.D has been honoured many times. She was awarded a national honour by the Federal Government, the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). She has also been conferred with honorary doctorates by two universities. The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, conferred on her Doctors of Civil laws, honoris causa, on December 16, 1989. In doing so, the university noted “the strong-held conviction of millions of Nigerians that the Yeyeoba, by her strength of character, dint of hard work, commitment to high political and social ideals, fortitude in the face of adversity, constant display of personal charm and motherly affection for all and sundry, is truly a great Nigerian heroine in her own rights”.
In 1997, the Ogun State University (later renamed Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago-Iwoye, conferred on her another honorary doctorate, D. Litt., on H.I.D. This was followed by another honorary doctorate awarded by the University of Calabar in 2001.
Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo celebrated her 99th birthday on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. At the thanksgiving service held at Efunyela hall, the Bishop of Ijebu South-West (Anglican Communion), Right Reverend Babatunde Ogunbanwo told the audience that “Mama fears the Lord, that is why she is satisfied with long life”. Ogunbanwo added: “Eternity is before you, Mama. Aspire to be with God; hold fast to faith and serve God till you die”.
He then concluded by praying for H.I.D to live long enough to celebrate her centenary the following year. Everyone chorused “Amen”…..
TO BE CONTINUED
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