Jonathan Hails Chief (Mrs) Obafemi Awolowo As She Clocks 98

One of Nigeria's most prominent female figures, Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, marks her 98^th birthday. On this occasion, our President Goodluck Jonathan has just congratulated the honourable matriarch via his official Facebook account. Below is a full text of his message:

Today is a great day for Nigeria and womanhood as our mother, Chief Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, the Yeye Odua and 'jewel of inestimable value' celebrates her 98th birthday.

I want to warmly on behalf of myself, my family and all Nigerians wish our mother a most glorious birthday anniversary. Mama, you have inspired millions of people around the world. Your sterling qualities of honesty and dedication have been qualities that womanhood will be proud of.

To me, the service and greatness Chief Obafemi Awolowo left as great legacies was made possible by the dedicated partnership that you offered. Mama, I wish you many more years of great leadership and service to Nigeria.

Happy birthday mama! May the Lord Almighty bless you for us.

Signed,

GEJ

Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo (née Adelana), popularly known as HID, was born on November 25, 1915 to a modest family in the small Ikenne community of Ogun State in Nigeria.
She is the widow of politician Obafemi Awolowo, who famously referred to her as his "jewel of inestimable value".
A successful businesswoman and astute politician, she was the First Lady of the old Western Region. She played an active role in the politics of the Western Region.
She stood in for her husband in the alliance formed between the NCNC and the AG, called the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA), while he was in jail.
The plans were that she would contest the elections, and if she won, would step down for her husband in a bye-election. To fulfil her husband's dream of becoming the President in the second republic, she toured the length and breadth of the country with her husband campaigning.
She also coordinated the women's wing of the party and was always present at all party caucuses. A successful businesswoman, she became the first Nigerian distributor for the Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC) in 1957. She was the first to import lace materials and other textiles into Nigeria.
Among other awards, HID was awarded the Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) of the University of Calabar and the Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University).

In 2009, she received the award of the Fellow of Academy of Religion (FAR) by the Nigerian Association for the Study of Religion (NASR). This was done in recognition of her unique and unwavering contributions to the advancement of humanity and her role in the employment of religion as a veritable tool both in national and global development.