Lawmakers eulogise late HID Awolowo

The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki has commiserated with the Awolowo family, the government and people of Ogun and Nigeria in general on the demise of Mrs HID Awolowo.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the late widow of former Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo died at the age 99 on Saturday.

Saraki, who in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, also commiserated with the bereaved on behalf of the Senate, said the country had lost a ``a pre-eminent mother.’’

He said the nonagenarian would be greatly missed as she contributed immensely in laying the foundation for national development.

The president of the senate described the late Awolowo as a dedicated Christian, who served God and humanity in her life time.

``I have been enthusiastically looking forward to making a big surprise visit to Ikenne, Ogun State.

``To think that she will not be there during the period of the celebration, which is just about two months away, makes me sad.

``Even as a nonagenarian, she kept on hosting different meetings and contributing to ideas on the unity of the Yoruba people in particular and Nigeria in general.

``She was an epitome of a good wife and mother and I have no doubt that as she reunites with her darling Husband, Pa Obafemi Awolowo, she would have good account to give,’’ he said.

He urged the bereaved to take solace in the fact that she lived a good life and prayed God to grant her soul eternal rest.

Meanwhile, speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Saturday commiserated with the Awolowo family, people and government of Ogun over the death of Mrs HID Awolowo.This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Dogara’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan.The statement described late Mrs Awolowo as a mother to the nation.He added that her death had created a vacuum in the country.``The late H.I.D Awolowo will continue to be remembered for her humanitarian and philanthropic deeds.``She lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation,’’ the statement stated.The statement urged both Federal and Ogun state governments to honour the late Awolowo by immortalising her.``She was a pious woman, who was a pillar of support for her husband, the late sage Awolowo since the days of struggle for independence up to the eighties when he died.``Although we would have loved that she remained with us, as mortals, we all must test death but our joy is that she has gone to rest,’’ the statement said.The statement prayed God to give the Awolowo family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.HID Awolowo died on Saturday at the family's country home in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun at 99.