By Eteteonline Team
Born on November 25, 1915, in Ikenne, Ogun State, to Chief Moses Odugbemi Adelana, Chief (Dr.) Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo (Nee Adelena) was married to prominent politician, nationalist, and journalist Chief Obafemi Awolowo (former Premier of the Western Region).
She went to Methodist Girls’ High School in Lagos, Saint Saviour’s Anglican School, and Saint Peter’s School.
Mrs Awolowo was a magnificent figure in Nigerian history, both in her own right and as the wife of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Mrs Awolowo was not only a politician’s wife. She was a businesswoman, political organiser, and women’s rights campaigner at a time when relatively few Nigerian women had public influence.
She was the first person to bring textiles into Nigeria and the first Nigerian distributor for the Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC). A remarkably successful entrepreneur, HID founded Dideolu Stores Limited, Ligu Distribution Service Limited, and contributed to the founding of Nigerian Tribune, a national newspaper.
Nevertheless, in spite of her triumphs in business, Mrs Awolowo was involved politically by giving great support to her husband.
She was a co-founder of the Action Group (AG) alongside Obafemi Awolowo and the President of the Action Group Women’s Wing, mobilizing women across Western Nigeria. She had a vital role in grassroots political organization, fundraising, and voter mobilization. When funds were scarce, she assisted in funding political initiatives as a prosperous businesswoman.
She organized the Women’s Wing of the AG Group and travelled the country in support of her husband’s presidential candidacy.
She was also a fervent supporter of women’s economic freedom and political participation.
When Chief Obafemi Awolowo was imprisoned (1963–1966), HID Awolowo maintained the political system together, kept supporters together, and ensured his political legacy endured. She was a fantastic example of the statement that ‘behind every successful man there is woman.’ Chief Awolowo might not have persevered or achieved so much without her.
She is regarded as one of Nigeria’s first instances of a woman wielding genuine political influence both behind and beyond the scenes, and she is recognized today as a symbol of tenacity, loyalty, discipline, and quiet strength.
She was a role model and a source of inspiration to women. Her life is often highlighted in talks about the unheralded significance of women in Nigeria’s political history.
HID Awolowo was also a philanthropist and a recipient of various accolades, including the esteemed title of Yeye Oodua of Yorubaland. A few weeks before turning 100, on September 19, 2015, she passed away.
Add comment