President Buhari mourns Hannah Awolowo

President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the death of Hannah Awolowo, the matriarch of the Awolowo clan, who died Saturday.

“On behalf of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, President Buhari extends sincere commiserations to the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of the ‘Jewel of Inestimable Value’ on the death of their famed matriarch, just a few weeks before her hundredth birthday,” a statement signed by the president’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said.

“The president joins them and millions of admirers of her late, revered husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in mourning Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo who will be long remembered and celebrated as the famous spouse and pillar of strength of the late nationalist, political leader and sage.

“President Buhari believes that Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo will always be honoured too for the indelible legacy of very significant, behind-the-scene contributions to communal, state, regional and national development which she has left behind.

“The President prays that God will comfort Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo’s family, relatives, friends, associates and admirers, and grant them the fortitude to bear her irreparable loss.

“He also prays that the Almighty will receive the late matriarch’s worthy soul and grant her eternal rest from her long, earthly service to her renowned spouse, family, community and country,” the statement also said.

Mr. Buhari also commiserated with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose wife, Dolapo, is a grand-daughter of the departed matriarch.
Meanwhile, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has condoled with the Awolowo family, people and government of Ogun state over the passing.

Mr. Dogara said the late Mrs. Awolowo was a mother to the nation and said she has left a huge vacuum in our lives, his spokesperson, Turaki Hassan, said in a statement.

He said she the late H.I.D Awolowo would continue to be remembered for her humanitarian and philanthropic deeds and said she lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

He called on both Federal and Ogun state government to honour the late Chief Mrs. Awolowo by immortalising her.