Mama died in my arms – Tokunbo Awolowo - Dosunmu

The youngest daughter of the late HID Awolowo, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo - Dosunmu, said her mother breathed her last in her arms on Saturday.

She disclosed this on Sunday while talking to journalists at the Ikenne, country home of the Awolowos.

She said her mother’s death was unexpected, stressing that the family was planning her centenary birthday celebration.

Awolowo-Dosunmu told reporters at the family home in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, that the late business woman was devoted to God until her death.

Awolowo-Dosunmu, a former Ambassador of Nigeria to Holland, said that the family was happy over the accolades her late mother had been receiving following her passage on Saturday afternoon.

She said her mother impacted positively on the lives of both the high and the low, promising that her legacy would be kept by the family.

“She was in high spirits before she left us and didn’t give us room to suspect the contrary as she kept praying for us.

“Whether she had a premonition about her death, we will never know for sure as she kept singing and praising God. It was her voice while praying that we heard last.

“That moment was huge and we are glad to receive her final blessings. Mama eventually breathed her last in my arms,’’ she said.

Asked what she would miss most about her mother, Awolowo-Dosunmu said, “I will miss her wise counsel and motherly care.’’

She expressed sadness that the late Mrs. Awolowo could not live to mark her 100th birthday scheduled for November 25.

“This is very sudden for us. If anyone had told us that Mama would breathe her last yesterday (on Saturday), we would have argued till thy kingdom come.

“I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that she’s gone. I feel very disappointed and wished she had the opportunity to see how much she meant to everyone.

“She was a kind and loving mother. I never thought Mama could leave us so suddenly.

“There was no sign. She attended the meeting in preparation for her centenary birthday. I was disappointed that the preparation for her 100th birthday was cut short.”

Asked whether her supposed centenary birthday coming up on November 25, would be used for her burial celebration, Awolowo-Dosunmu said the family had yet to decide on the format or the day she would be buried.

Report By,

SAMUEL AWOYINFA

Source,

Punch News