I regret Mama did not live to witness a new Nigeria -Buhari

Posted by admin Latest Politics Monday, September 21st, 2015

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 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.”

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.

-Tribunewp_posts