Cleric charges politicians to imbibe the virtues of Obafemi Awolowo

A cleric, Venerable Tolu Akinwande, has admonished the country’s leaders to imbibe the virtues of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Akinwande stated this in his sermon at the Holy Communion Service held at the HID Awolowo Anglican Church, Ewuga, Sagamu, yesterday to mark the second remembrance and patronal anniversary of the matriarch of the Awolowo Dynasty, the late Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo who transited into glory on September 19, 2015, few days away from her centenary birthday.

The cleric told the congregation that the couple (HID and her late husband, Chief Awolowo) etched their names in the hearts of Nigerians for their love for the country.

The Venerable, who eulogised HID Awolowo for sustaining the fame and prominence of her husband 28 years after his death, implored the Awolowo family to sustain the legacies of their late parents.

He said: “We are gathered here to celebrate the lives of Mama Awolowo and their fruits. Mama after 28 years of Papa’s demise sustained the name and the home. We are celebrating the duo so that we can learn from those qualities that made them a reference point.

“Papa and Mama Awolowo ended well with Christ. They gave out their best to the service of God. This Church is a product of Mama’s service to God while she was here.

“She was the first individual to host the synod in this Diocese. She was one of those that signed the Deeds establishing the Diocese. We are gathered here today to celebrate their fruits.

“Papa Awolowo was self-disciplined all his life that despite his position as Federal Finance Commissioner, no anti-graft agency alleged him of any sharp practice. He raised eminent Nigerians through free education promoted by him unlike the kind of free education policy where teachers could no longer control the students.”