CHIEF  DR (MRS) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo the Yeye Oodu’a and Matriarch of Awolowo dynasty and the defining mark

of the  political unity of Yorubaland and the nation in general turns 96 today.

Without doubt, this is a great testimony of God’s grace and mercy on a woman fondly acknowledged by her husband, the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as a Jewel of Inestimable Value when he was on this side of the divide.

The journey so far might have been tortuous with mixed experiences, but Mama has refused to be cowed by the challenges of nationhood, as a majority of political office holders today in one way or the other pay homage to this great woman of substance for her blessings and words of encouragement.

Worried about recent hazy political climate in the South-West part of the country and the need to keep the race in unity, Mama HID, on April 7, 2009, set up a reconciliation committee to  bring together the three major groups of Afenifere and other progressives which later metarmophosed into Yoruba Unity Forum, a body whose main priority is to forge unity among the race that has been threatened by disunity.

The mainstream Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, through the influence of this indefatigable amazon has ensured through persuasion and dialogue that the group is being re-invigorated to bring it back to its hitherto enviable position among the Yoruba race.

Her voice on burning national issues goes a long way towards bringing out plausible framework for solution. Mama’s love for the progress of Nigeria cuts across ethnic barrier which explains why many aspiring Nigerian leaders believe it necessary to visit this receptacle of knowledge for blessings and encouragement.

Due to her  prominence in political circles, Nigeria’s incumbent president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, even sought her blessings while canvassing for support prior to his election in April this year.

Sometime in August this year, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenent-General Azubuike Ihejirika, who found himself in Ikenne for  a funeral programme, used the opportunity to be with the Yeye Oodu'a  who he described as the Mother of the Nation.

In Lieutenent-General Ihejirika’s words. “Mama is not only the mother of the Yoruba but mother of the nation.”

A woman who at several forums has been  described as a stabilising  force in Yorubaland who has been able to hold the  Awolowo Dynasty together in  spite of the demise of her better half has been working with prominent Yoruba leaders to ensure that the Yoruba speak with one voice and reclaim their leading position in the scheme of things in the  country.

The mainstream Yoruba socio-cultural group - Afenifere, through the influence of this indefatigable amazon has ensured through persuasion and dialogue that the group is being re-invigorated to bring it back to it’s hitherto enviable position among the Yoruba race.

Mama HID has never for once been overawed in the face of calculated efforts to rubbish the legacies of the sage.

She has been described by many, including her biological children,  as a good wife, caring  mother and a woman with deep conviction to weather the storms of life without giving up.

A woman of many parts, her involvement in the socio-religious and cultural lives of her community and society at large cannot be over-emphasised.

The retired Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu once described Yeye Oodu’a thus: “Mama HID is an advocate of peace and unity of the Yoruba race and the entire nation. She is the only Nigerian mother who loves all people without ethnic or religious bias, always opening her doors to all for succour.”

Not yet done in his adulation of the Awolowo Ma-triarch he added: ‘’She is  and remains the rallying point of the nation’s polity as her motherly advice and encouragement has brought about tremendous development and progress to Nigeria’’.

A woman who does not underrate what the present generation of political leaders have to offer opened her doors to the emer-ging bigwigs in Nigerian political space.

Imme-diate past  governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in one of his thoughts about Mama said: “We cannot hide our feelings as a people that appreciate the elders for their wisdom in shaping and galvanising all elements in the society towards perfection. Mama, your life has not only demonstrated the virtue in hard work, perseverance and consistency as believed by the Yoruba. It has equally served as a source of meaningful encouragement to thousands of Nigerians, irrespective of the age, gender or ethnic category.”

Born into a Christian family without bias for any form of religious leaning, Mama interacts freely with any religious group or individual who comes her way and readily supports project geared towards the lifting of lives. Chief HID Awolowo, who is the mother of the Diocese of Remo (Anglican Communion) demonstrated this recently as she gladly accepted to sponsor the 10th Synod and Fund Raising ceremony of the diocese  in May this year as a true disciple in spite of her challenge.

Her acceptance to be the first individual to host a synod further demonstrated her commitment to the things of God.

According to her parishioner, Venerable Foluso Babatunji, “Normally, synods are hosted and sponsored by the big parishes in the diocese but history informs us that Mama HID was the chairperson of the  committee that worked for the relinquishment of Remo Diocese from the Lagos Diocese and she signed the Deed of Reliquishment. It is very expedient that she is the first person to host and sponsor the synod.”

She indeed with the assistance and backing of God and her children hosted a synod that has hitherto remained the preserve of big parishes and talk of the town as the session witnessed the coming together of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenent-General T. Y. Danjuma, and others in attendance.

In fact, the greater part of the Obafemi Awolowo dynasty as represented by the Yeye Oba of Ile-Ife has been dedicated to charity and other services to humanity which has made observers to continue to wonder if there is any privacy in her life.

If Nigeria is proud of this family, the Ikenne community will always remember the  role played by the Mojibade of Ikenne and Iyalode of Remoland in restoring dignity to the royal seat of the town by enthronement of a new traditional ruler, the Alakenne of Ikenne Oba Adeyinka Onakade after 27 years the stool had been vacant.

A mother worth emulating, the life of Mama Awolowo remains worthy of emulation by the younger genera-tion whose intention is to make a big success of their matrimony. As she always says ‘the sky cannot be bright all the time, but with total commitment with unshaken trust in the Lord success is certain. This principle sustained her all the years her husband was persecuted. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was able to face his many travails with equanimity mainly because he had peace and solid support from the home front where Mama held sway.

For a woman who has experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of the country in its process of nationhood, Mama HID appears not  too happy with the challenges the future holds for the youth of the country. At this stage of her life, she wonders why the society finds it difficult to empower these youths who constitute the human wealth and future of the nation, apart from decrying the menace of child trafficking and the abuse of womenfolk.

A wife whose husband reposed great confidence in, she stood solidly behind Chief Awolowo through the thick and thin of his political adventure within and outside Nigeria when this great man  suffered political brickbat and was incarcerated.

This situation brought out in this woman of wisdom the tenacity of patience to ensure that the homefront remained  intact and the children well guided and focused.

In fact, Mama HID will remain a reasonable reference point of a wise woman who built her home for young ladies preparing for marriage or women whose homes are being threatened.

Mama at every opportunity always appreciates  God for the grace of life and longevity, a fact which was also corroborated by her diocesan, Rt Rev (Dr) Olusina Fape, who once described Mama as a special breed of God who He has shown mercy.

In his description of his mother, MASTER Oluwole Awolowo said: “If you study any aspect of Mama’s life, whether as a wife, a businesswoman, a politician and above all, a mother, you will find in it a noble lesson worthy of love and complete admiration to all and sundry.

“One thing about Mama is the inability of any of her children to know who is her favourite amongst them. If you ask any of us, he or she would think that he or she is the best loved by her, but at the end of the day one would discover that she is not only kind-hearted, but a very strict disciplinarian and fair mother to not only all her children but those who happened to cross her path.

“As a human being, she cannot be without her faults, but all I know is that such faults do not weigh her down as she has a knack for correcting herself without the prompting of or reprimand by anybody’’.

MASTER Awolowo sums it up by referring to Mama as an epitome of conscience.

Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, in one of her thoughts in paying tributes to the propelling factor of her success story has this to say about her mother who doubles as her role model who any child would desire to have: “My mother is gentle but highly industrious. She looked after the home front yet was able to contribute significantly to the economic well-being of the family.”

A woman of industry whose watchwords remain honesty and hard work, shortly after her marriage in 1937 took to trading the traditional business of her mother and grandmother. Mama HID remains till date a reputable and renowned businesswoman who never joked with total supervision. She is the first appointed Nigerian distributor of Nigerian Tobacco Company and the current chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Publishers of Tribune titles, Dideolu Specialist Hospital, Dideolu Stores Limited among others and the Matron of National Association of Nigerian Women in Business (Ogun State Chapter).

Yeye Oodu’a whose life has been dedicated to service to humanity won herself many awards through her generosity.  The major beneficiary of her philanthrophy is her church, Our Saviour’s Church, Ikenne, where she first presented a marble pulpit when she turned 50, and on turning 60 donated a central stained glass of the chancel window. This writer last year, witnessed her large heartedness and giving when she clocked 95. Then, she insisted that the marble pulpit must be given a facelift while she ensured that the church was air conditioned by donating central air conditioners to mark her birthday and ensure worshippers worship in comfort. And her latest gesture was the hosting of the 10th synod of the Remo Diocese themed: The cost of discipleship in May this year.

Socially, HID Awolowo is still on the move. She is the matron, Ikenne Social Circle till date, Grand Matron Remo Country Club till date. She has been honoured with many chieftaincy titles in recognition of her impressive standing in the society. These include the Yeye Oba of Ife, Yeye Oodu’a among others.

She holds an honorary doctorate degree of Civil Laws Honorary Causa of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife while this woman of astounding qualities was also honoured by the Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

The Yeye Oba of Ife is not only the mother of the nation but the mother of Remo Diocese (Anglican Communion) the title she earned through total commitment to God’s kingdom. Mama remains Life Matron Agbeni Youth Progressive Association, Agbeni Young Women  Christian Association, a licensed Lay Reader, Iyalode, Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne, Iya Ijo of the same church, synod delegate and the Diocesan mother.

Chief (Dr) HID Awolowo, was born on 25 November, 1915 to Deaconess Elizabeth Oyesile Adelana and Chief Moses (MF) Odugbemi Adelana a descendant of Obara ruling House, Ikenne Remo and of the Liyangu Akarigbo ruling house of  Sagamu.

Mama Awolowo had her primary education at St Saviour’s Anglican School, Ikenne in 1921 (now Our Saviour’s). She proceded to St Peter’s Anglican School, Faji, Lagos and later Methodist Girls’ High School, Marina. She came back to Ikenne as a teacher at her alma mater for three years (1934 to 1936).

She resigned into full time business and got married in 1937.