HID Awolowo, a symbol of unity – IBB

ABUJA – Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida has
described the matriarch of Awolowo family,Chief  H.I.D Awolowo,
 as a symbol of unity in the country.

HID Awolowo died on Saturday last week, aged 99, two months to her
 centenary celebration.

Babangida in a statement in Abuja also described HID Awolowo as a
great woman, who lived a selfless life promoting the common good for
the human society.

The statement reads in part; “the death of our matriarch, and a great
woman of the Awolowo clan; Chief Mrs. H.I.D Awolowo comes to me
 as a personal loss and strikes a sense of nostalgia in me.

“The Awolowos; the late Sage and his soul-mate, the matriarch both lived
exemplary and selfless life promoting the common good for the human society.”

IBB recalling his personal relationship with the Awolowos, said his meeting with
 the late sage and his wife at Dodan Barracks while in office signified a new dawn
in the civilian-military relationship.

“It was the first time any government, especially a Military Government at that,
was enjoying such kind of honour of a visit that was more personal than official,”
he added.

The statement maintained that her “sense of unity and oneness was symptomatic
of the Unity Party of Nigeria, which the Late Sage formed and promoted,
to build bridges of understanding across the Niger.

“Mama, was there for everyone irrespective of your political party, your ideological
persuasion, your religion or tribe.

“She was a stabilizing factor across the country and for different governments at
 the local, state and federal levels.”

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/