Nigeria‘s President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state have joined in eulogizing the late Publisher of the Tribune Newspapers, Chief Oluwole Awolowo, describing his demise as sad but took solace in his distinguished and humane nature.
The duo made their observations in separate statements made available to Blank NEWS Online.
The President described the late Chief Oluwole Awolowo as a worthy and honoured member of the Awolowo dynasty who diligently served God and humanity to the best of his abilities.
President Jonathan commended Chief Awolowo’s steadfast, life-long commitment to upholding, maintaining and continually improving the Tribune newspapers which ensured that the Nigerian Tribune and its sister publications have remained an objective voice of reason in Nigeria’s media space and continue to offer invaluable services to the nation.
“It is not a mean feat to have sustained the Tribune newspapers over the years,” the President said in praise of the late scion of the Awolowo family.
On behalf of himself, his family and the Federal Government, President Jonathan extended heartfelt condolences to Chief Awolowo’s immediate family, the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, other family members, the Ikenne community, the management and staff of Tribune newspapers, as well as the people and government of Ogun State.
The President prayed that God will console the bereaved and grant the soul of Chief Oluwole Awolowo peaceful rest.
In the same vein, Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan expressed shock at the demise of the Vice Chairman of Tribune Newspapers, Chief Oluwole Awolowo, stating that he has lost an elder brother.
In a statement by Felix Ofou, his press secretary, the governor also noted with concern the impact of the death on the matriach of the family, Mama H.I.D. Awolowo.
Governor Uduaghan described the late Oluwole Awolowo as a humble, easy going and focussed personality who spent almost his entire life for the good of humanity.
“Not once throughout my continued encounter with him did he betray emotions of being born with a silver spoon. Unless you are told, you won’t know he was the first son of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He was simple, humble and very focussed. He was not one to be associated with triviality”, he added
The Delta Governor said the junior Awolowo helped to cement his relationship with Mama H.I.D such that today he can boast to be among the very few recognised by the matriach as one ogf her children.
“It is against this backdrop that I am concerned about the impavct of the death on Mama. Though she has demonstrated strong and unqualified resilience in the face of adversity, I am bothered at this twist of fate”n he noted.
Uduaghan expressed condolence eith Mama, the Awolowo family, the Nigerian Tribune and the Ogun State Government affected by the death and prayed God to grant repose for the soul of the deceased.
