The Ikenne home of the Awolowos will receive the record number of dignitaries, according to Ogun state government, President Muhammadu Buhari and all the 36 state governors are expected to attend the funeral of the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Hannah Idowu Dideolu, on November 25.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, gave this hint on Thursday while highlighting the activities lined up for the burial of the late HID Awolowo, who died on September 19, 2015.
Adeoluwa, who addressed the press with the two surviving daughters of the late matriarch, Mrs. Tola Oyediran and Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, said invitation letters had already been sent to President Buhari and 35 other state governors excluding the host governor, Ibikunle Amosun, to attend the event and pay tributes to her.
Announcing the 11-day programmes for the final burial of the late matriarch, which would run between November 15 and November 25, one of her daughters, who doubles as the chairman of the Central Burial Planning Committee, Dr. Awolowo-Dosunmu, said only 690 persons, including important personalities and family members would be accommodated inside the main auditorium of the Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne where the funeral service would be held.
He said, “The Ogun State Government is involved in everything. We are powering the events. We are fully involved in the programmes. Mama belonged to everybody, not just the Yoruba. The governor is the chief mourner. On Monday, November 23, the Ogun State Government and the people of the state will be celebrating the matriarch of the Awolowo family and bid her farewell.
“The governor will be hosting his brother governors. Letters have been sent to 35 state governors and to Mr. President, that they should come and honour Mama. The chairmen and the legislative arms of the 20 local governments in the state have also been invited. It will be an afternoon of tributes from the governors.”