How Awolowo’s eldest daughter died – Family source
Eldest daughter of Obafemi Awolowo, Mrs Tola Oyediran, who died earlier on Friday, at the age of 79, went to bed the previous night hale and hearty, a family source has said.
The source said the lady died in her sleep, adding that she never exhibited any sign of illness.
”She was not sick. She went to bed without any health issue,” the source said.
Already, condolences have started pouring in from eminent Nigerians to the family and supporters of the late sage.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, have commiserated with the family over her demise.
Oyediran, billed to celebrate her 80th birthday on December 1, was until her passage the chairman of the Board of Directors at the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, the publishers of Tribune Newspaper.
She was married to Prof Allen Oyediran, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Dr Awolowo-Dosunmu is now the only surviving child of the Awolowo dynasty.
The President’s condolence message was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled ‘President Buhari mourns Chief Obafemi Obafemi Awolowo’s daughter, Tola Oyediran.’
The statement said, “The President commiserates with friends and associates of Mrs Oyediran, particularly her only surviving sister, Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo, over the sad loss, urging the family to take solace in the investments of the deceased in making life better for others.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in his message, expressed sadness over Oyediran’s death.
The speaker said the deceased lived a fulfilled life like her late father.
Gbajabiamila described the deceased as a beacon of hope to many and worthy of emulation.
Also, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said the death of Mrs Oyediran was a sad occurrence.
Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, said, “She was a central figure during her father’s travails as a political figure and after the death of the former Premier of the defunct Western Region.