Does HID Awolowo deserve a state burial?

By Joseph Edgar …

The answer is a resounding NO. I am not even going to mince words on this one. State burial that she lived up to 99 years, state burial because she is Segun Awolowo’s grandmother, or because she is the VPs grandmother In-law, or finally because she was the late sage’s jewel of inestimable value?

Please let’s respect tradition and protocol. We should learn not to get carried away by emotions or trends of the moment and take decisions that would trivialize national ethos. This is not to denigrate mama’s memory, or to belittle her efforts and contributions to national development. Her role in keeping the home front stable especially in the face of personal tragedies occasioned by untimely death of their first son, the jailing of Baba my Hero went far in stabilizing him and enabling him focus on the very important task of contributing to our stability as a nation especially during the Civil War years.

Her contributions must be recognized and celebrated but state burial? My people that is stretching it.

Mama has continued to be a rallying point in the politics of the South West. We in Akwa Ibom respect her and what she represents. We lament our lack of such a uniting figure and would have certainly been very happy if she had crossed the Niger to contribute the very seminal advise she must have given her children in the South West.

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Or how else would we explain the pilgrimage most Yoruba leaders and elders always paid to Ikenne to consult with her. It is for this reason that we send our condolences to the people of Ikenne and wish them God’s strength and fortitude to bare this loss even as we suggest a regional burial where we will come with our masquerades and dancers to participate.

Our president says he was anguished and distraught when he heard of the death. My people how can you be distraught over the death of a 99 year old. This is not Buhari’s fault, it is the fault of his speech writers and advisers. This is them trying to cash in on this epic event to score some cheap political capital. This has certainly blown up in their faces.

This is time for celebration, dance and merriment. Mama lived a long and fun filled life. She saw world wars, coups, election annulments, survived Abacha, IBB, saw Ebola, outlived MKO, buried her husband, saw the rise of Tinubu, watched Nigeria at the World Cup, sat with Jonathan, advised madam Patience and saw change finally in the country and we are anguished?

Abeg, me I no anguish o. Where is the Aso Ebi, I have to buy.

Mama as you proceed to meet your boyfriend in heaven, I wish you a glorious reunion. I am sure he would have been very lonely all these years and would be waiting excitingly for your ascendency.

Sleep well Mama. You lived a great life.

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