Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and a delegation of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, yesterday, paid a condolence visit to the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief HID Awolowo over the death of her only surviving son, Chief Oluwole Awolowo.
Prof. Soyinka arrived at the Ikenne home of the Awolowos around 10.50 a.m., and held a closed-door discussion with the matriarch, before he signed the condolence register, where he urged the Awolowo family to “take heart” over the death of the family member.
Governors of Osun and Delta States, Rauf Aregbesola and Emmanuel Uduaghan, as well as former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, were also at the Ikenne home of the Awolowo family where they also paid condolence visits to Chief HID Awolowo.
Uduaghan while speaking with newsmen during the visit described the late Oluwole Awolowo as a Nigerian that promoted the unity and progress of the country, saying he developed some emotional attachment to the Awolowo family because of the achievements of the late sage in the area of education.
“He was like an elder brother. We know who his father was. Somebody who gave people like myself the opportunity to go to school.
“I grew up in a community where there was no light, where there was no water and no amenities but there was a school and I attended the school free of charge,” Uduaghan said.
Governor Aregbesola lauded Chief HID Awolowo for the spirit of endurance and strength of character displayed since the demise of her son.
“The moral here is the courage of the matriarch of this dynasty and her fortitude, her strength of character and spirit, her ability to endure this and I will pray that the Almighty will further strengthen her,” Aregbesola said.
Also present to pay their condolence were Chief Olu Falae, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, Chief Korede Duyile, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Chief Supo Sonibare, Mr. Yinka Odumakin,
Chief E. Babatope, Senator B. Olajumoke, among others.
