HID Awolowo Set For Burial In Ogun State On Wednesday.

HID Awolowo.

The Sagamu International Stadium, Sagamu in Ogun state, southwest Nigeria,

was in festive mood as the state is set to
celebrate the life and times of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Mama Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.

The event, which was packaged by the Ogun state government is part of the activities lined up for the burial ceremony of the late icon, which the governor has described as a quintessential book with many chapters of a good woman, mother and proven legacies.

Our correspondent gathered that the normal routine of the state government every Monday, which is the State Executive Council meeting, was shifted by the governor by several hours as the elaborate burial ceremony various dignitaries from all walks of life are expected to grace begins.

The governor and other top government functionaries will move straight from Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, after the State Executive Council meeting to Sagamu for the event.

Others expected at the event are traditional, religious and political leaders across the state, transport unions, students groups, artisans, market men and women and various social and political groups.

Reacting to insinuation that the governor may travel to Kogi State for the burial of the late APC governorship candidate in the Saturday governorship election, Abubakar Audu, the Senior Special Assistant, SSA on Media to Governor Amosun, Adejunwon Soyinka, told our correspondent that the Sagamu event will still go on with the governor in attendance.

He however said Amosun was saddened by Audu’s sudden death, but as a Muslim, he concluded that “it is from God that we all come and it is unto Him we shall all return”.

The media aide disclosed that the programme for the late HID Awolowo was a very important event to the state government and the entire people of the state, irrespective of their political or religious affiliations.

Soyinka further stated that every arrangement has been put in place for the farewell celebration for the woman, who remained until her death, a rallying point for all Yoruba.

Governor Amosun, his deputy, Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, some of the commissioners, special advisers and newsmen on Sundayay evening visited the stadium to inspect the level of preparation for Monday’s event.

The governor and his entourage also stopped over at the Ikenne residence of the Awolowos to meet with the children of the matriarch..

From the Sagamu express road, especiall at Iperu junction and the Total filling station junction, heavy security has been mounted, with vehicles going in and out of the venue thoroughly checked.

Also, the entire township of Sagamu is charged at present, with influx of people from other places.

Some people and various groups are on their ways as parks and garages within Abeokuta are presently jampacked with passengers travelling to Sagamu for the grand ceremony..

Our correspondent reliably gathered that markets in Sagamu will be shut on Monday as directed by the leadership of the markets in honour of the late Yeye Oodua of the Source (Ile Ife).

Some traders are already taking some stall to displayed their wares for visitors that will be coming for the event.

Ogun State-born artistes led by Chief Evengelist Ebenezer Fabiyi Obey will be performing at the event, which is tagged, ‘Ogun state celebrates Mama Awo’.

Other artistes expected to thrill people at the event include Bonsue Fuji King maestro, Adewale Ayuba, who hails from Ikenne, Alhaji Sefiu Adekunle Alao, Alhaji Musiliu Haruna Ishola, Ayan Jesu among others.

As at the time of filing this report, security agencies such as the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, TRACE, Mobile Policemen and local security outfit in the state, Vigilante Service of Ogun, VSO, were all on ground to ensure a hitch free event.

Source: PM News