Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari, said he regretted
that the matriach of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo,,did not
live to witness a new transformation and change the country would be
experiencing.
He said this through the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, Engineer Babachir David Lawal, who led the FG delegation to the
Ikenne's residence of the Awolowo,to commiserate with them over the death of
the Yeye Oodua.
Other members of the delegation were the Chief of Staff to
the President, Malam Abba Kyari, Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi
Olonisakin and former SGF,Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe.
He maintained that Mama did not "feel" the change
in which his son-in-law, Vice President Yemi Osibajo and his wife, Dolapo who
is also her grand daughter were key players.
President Buhari said, "Our regret in government is
that Mama did not live long enough to feel the transformation this country will
undergo with the active participation of her son-in-law, with the active
participation of her great granddaughter.
"This is something that saddens us. Had she waited well
for one or two more years, I'm sure she would have left this world a very happy
woman indeed, because the fulfilment of what her husband stood for would have
finally come to fruition."
He promised the readiness of the FG to participate fully in
her burial arrangements.
"On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari who has also
offered to participate in all activities leading to her final internment, if
the family is gracious enough to give him the opportunity to so do. So, we ask
our brother, our son, the vice president to relate this message to him,"
he said.
The president who spoke while condoling with the members of
the Awolowo family in their Ikenne, Ogun State country home also expressed his
willingness to part actively in all activities leading to the final internment
of the late matriarch.
Represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr.
Babachir David Lawal, Buhari said, "Our regret in government is that Mama
did not live long enough to feel the transformation this country will undergo
with the active participation of her son-in-law, with the active participation
of her great grand daughter. This is something that saddens us. Had she waited
well for one or two more years, I'm sure she would have left this world a very
happy woman indeed, because the fulfilment of what her husband stood for would
have finally come to fruition.
"On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari who has also
offered to participate in all activities leading to her final internment, if
the family is gracious enough to give him the opportunity to so do. So, we ask
our brother, our son, the vice president to relate this message to him,"
Others visitors include the former Judge of the Hague,
Prince Bola Ajibola, Chief Ayo Adebanjo,the Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife, Oba Adesesan
Oguntayo and the Bishop of the Diocese of Egba, The Right Reverend Oludaisi
Adekunle.
No comments:
Post a Comment