We’ll Implement Awolowo’s Dream For Nigeria – Buhari • Offers State Burial For HID

Buhari-AwolowoPresident Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday expressed regrets that Hannah Awolowo did not live to witness his administration bring the kind of governance Obafemi Awolowo envisaged for Nigeria.

Mr. Buhari stated this when a presidential delegation visited the Ikenne home of the Awolowos in Ogun State on a condolence visit.

Represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, the president 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”.

The president also offered a beffiting state burial to HID Awolowo if the family permitted.

The president 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”, the SGF said.

Other members of the federal government delegation were the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Morgan Monday.

Chief (Mrs) Hannah Awolowo died early hours of Saturday, two months to her 100th birthday and almost 30 years after the death of her husband and former Premier of Nigeria’s Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.