HID Awolowo’s Burial Train Moves To Ibadan As Governor Abiola Ajumobi Receives Her Corpse At Toll Gate

The remains of the Awolowo matriarch, Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, arrived yesterday, November 15 at the Park Lane, Apapa, Lagos home of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for the beginning of the 11-day funeral rites. Prominent among those who paid their last respect was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Gover­nor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who described her as a rare mother.

 Governor Abiola Ajumobi and his wife, Florence, received her corpse at Toll Gate Ibadan around 8:15am this morning and was led to her residence at Oke-Bola, Ibadan where she was laid in state for about 30 minutes.

She would be buried af­ter a funeral service at the Saints. Saviours Anglican Church on Wednesday, No­vember 25 in Ikenne after se­ries of funeral programmes.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi has  already ordered the temporary closure of the Agbeni market because of its proximity to the Methodist Church where a commendation service would take place at 9.00 a.m A statement from the office of the Secretary to the Oyo State Government  said the market closure became necessary to prevent avoidable gridlock and the attendant pains it could cause traders and commuters plying the area. The late Chief HID Awolowo’s corpse would be in the Awolowo’s residence, Oke –Ado and the Tribune Newspapers  house for lying-in-state as part of the burial rites.

Ajimobi  called on the citizens of the state to be part of history by turning out in large numbers to witness activities scheduled for the final burial rites of Chief HID Awolowo, in Ibadan, on Monday.

“The matriarch of the dynasty of the late Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, deserves a burial befitting of heroines.

“We appeal to the general public to join hands with the state government to fully partake in the burial rites from 7a.m. on Monday when the corpse arrives in Ibadan, from where the procession moves to the Oke-Ado residence of the Awolowos.

“After the commendation service, the statement said that another lying in state would be held at the Tribune Newspapers House, Imalefalafia, Ibadan, from 11a,m. to 1p,m.

“It is an opportunity for the people to show love again for their highly venerated late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo for his sacrifices for the country,” the statement read in part.

Ajimobi  noted that since Awolowo’s death, his wife had held the forte to the admiration of the Yoruba and the country at large, saying her memories would live with them forever.

“I use this opportunity to welcome visitors to Ibadan and assured them of adequate security. I call on the hardworking security agencies in Oyo State to step up their surveillance to ensure crime-free ceremony.

“I also enjoin men of the Federal Road Safety Commission to brace up for the traffic challenge,’’ the statement said.