Mama H. I. D. Awolowo (1915-2015)

It is almost thirty years since the great Obafemi Awolowo, former premier of the old Western Region and war-time Nigerian federal finance minister passed on in 1986. Passage of time has not diminished his legacy, though the sage may struggle to make sense of state of affairs in Yorubaland and current political alliances. It is probably understandable that Mama Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, his beloved wife and chief supporter, deemed it fit to depart at this time, weeks after Oba Okunade Sijuwade, an adopted son of the Awolowo household, took his own leave. It is possible Mama left with some satisfaction having seen her grandson-in-law, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), in Abuja as vice-president and her grandson, Olusegun Awolowo, continue in government positions in the same city, though many retain distinct discomfort about what the present power configuration means for the House of Oduduwa and citizens of Nigeria. Such discomfort has not been helped by the recent travails of Chief Olu Falae!

Chief Mrs. H. I. D. Awolowo was by all accounts the rock behind her husband as he trained to be a lawyer in the United Kingdom; built a formidable political machinery back home; became political leader of the West and transformed its governance, infrastructure and human capital; and endured multiple trials and tribulations through a heroic but tumultuous political career. According to Awo, “Throughout all the changing fortunes of my life since I married her on 26 December 1937, my wife Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo (nee Adelana) has been to me a jewel of inestimable value. She is an ideal wife; and I am sure she too regards me as an ideal husband. The outpouring of her love and devotion to me and to our family is exceeding and beyond words. She is a resourceful business woman; … with my wife on my side, it has been possible for us to weather all financial storms. Because of her charm, humility, generosity and ever-ready sympathy and helpfulness for others in distress, she is beloved and respected by all our friends and acquaintances. She has courage of a rare kind – I have that too. But I am no match for her at all in her exercise of infinite patience and forbearance under all circumstances…. By her unique virtues, she has been of immeasurable assistance to me in the duties attached to my career as a public man. I do not hesitate to confess that I owe my success in life to three factors: the Grace of God, a Spartan self-discipline and a good wife…. It is on record to my wife’s credit that she never made a financial demand on me throughout my stay in the United Kingdom…” (“Awo: The Autobiography of Chief Obafemi Awolowo”, Cambridge University Press, 1960, pages 110-111).

It is possible that some may not now appreciate how exceptional this testimony from a leading politician was about his wife in the early 1960s – my information is that many political leaders of the time indeed worried, often legitimately, about the fidelity and reliability of their own wives! It certainly helped that Awo completely disavowed the prevailing polygamy of the age, stemming probably from an event involving his parents in 1919. Awolowo tells the story (pages 21-22) of a peaceful and harmonious home in which his mother and grandmother (his father’s mum) were staunch allies until that day his father took a second wife – “One day, a big quarrel flared up between father and granny on account of the new wife. Mother took sides with granny. It was a terrific and terrible affair and I will never forget it. For the first time to my knowledge, father and the new wife on one side, and mother and granny on the other, exchanged harsh words at the tops of their voices. The new wife set the pace in this battle of verbal virulence. The incident shocked me badly and I wept bitterly as the disgraceful scene was being enacted.” It is likely Awo made up his mind that day, never to get entangled in polygamy!

There were several corroborations of Awolowo’s testimonials on H. I. D. in “Awo: On the Trail of a Titan” – Professor Akinjide Osuntokun wrote: “His life, especially in relation to his wife…provides a paradigm of solid marriage on which success is built. While he engaged in national services, his wife complemented him and provided peace at home, took care of the children and when called upon in the absence of her husband, carried the banner of the struggle forward”; Professor Sam Aluko testified to Mrs Awolowo’s homeliness and hospitality on every occasion he had cause to visit their residence; while Professor Banji Akintoye also testified to H. I. D.’s industry and wisdom.

In my view, the best insight into the relationship between Awo and H. I. D. can be gleaned from Awo’s letter to “My Beloved Mamma Segun” reproduced in pages 227-231 of Chief Awolowo’s book, “Adventures in Power Book One: My March Through Prison”, where he wrote, inter alia, from prison, “Your health and your life mean almost everything to me”, “Should the worst happen, I want you to take it like a brave woman that you are”, and “As you will have seen, I do not lose hope at all. I am confident about the future; and I have no doubt that, by the Grace of God, before this year is ended, I shall hold you once again in my arms in affectionate embrace. We all believe that God answers prayers; but we must realise that He answers them in His own good time, and when He knows such answers will be most beneficial to us. So let us wait on the Lord, and renew our strength”. Awo gave detailed advice and instructions regarding all matters political, familial and financial and ended the very moving letter thus: “With Divine Love, I remain, Your Ever Devoted and Affectionate Husband, Femi”.

In “Adventures in Power Book Two: The Travails of Democracy and the Rule of Law”, Chief Awolowo wrote of two visitors, the Olota of Ota, Oba T. T. Dada, and one Chief Hunponu Wusu. The Yoruba say when a big affliction knocks you down, smaller ones will walk all over you. As crisis raged in the West, and Awo was placed under restriction in Ikenne, his guests freely tongue-lashed him. Hunponu-Wusu told Awo that it was “iwa omugo patapata” (the height of stupidity or even idiocy!) for anyone to contend with government; Oba T. T. Dada admonished Awo to go and beg Sardauna and Balewa. Awo noted, “My wife was there. She bore a look of nauseation” and did not wait to say goodbye to the insolent guests as he walked them out of his residence! Her life was defined by virtue, loyalty, patience, perseverance, commitment, courage, fidelity and enterprise. And, of course, longevity as she died just two months short of her 100th birthday!

Born on November 25, 1915, Mrs Awolowo had five children – Segun (deceased), Tola Oyediran, Oluwole (deceased), Ayo Soyode, Tokunbo Dosunmu – and many grandchildren including Olusegun Awolowo Jnr and Dolapo Osinbajo. She stood in for Awo while he was incarcerated for alleged treasonable felony, visiting his compatriots in prison and led the Action Group into the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) with the NCNC during the First Republic. In the Second Republic, she coordinated the women’s wing of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and toured the nation, campaigning with her husband. Chief Mrs H. I. D. Awolowo was Yeyeoba of Ife. She died on September 19, 2015.

 

Opeyemi Agbaje