Matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, will be buried on November 25, the day she is supposed to clock 100.

This was disclosed by her eldest child, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, while responding to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s message at the Efunyela Hall, Ikenne home of the Awolowos, on Wednesday, during the visit of the former president and his wife, Patience.

Dr Jonathan and his wife were accompanied by former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; deputy governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lasisi Oluboyo; former House Leader, House of Representatives, Alhaja Mulikat Adeola Akande; former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel and the former director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Mr Jide Adeniji.

Reverend Oyediran said: “There will be a lot of dancing, perhaps a lot of tears to say goodbye to a very beautiful woman, to a beautiful friend, to somebody I always refer to as Iyaniwura.

“I want to assure everybody here this morning because I know that some of you have received letters from the centenary committee a few weeks ago to write tributes for her, I want to assure you that those tributes will be published.

“Also, I want to assure the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that we’re going to give them special roles when the time comes. And I want to appeal to all of you to be part of celebrating Mama.

“By the grace of God, we haven’t concluded all the arrangements, but I can let you know that on the very day that she is supposed to be 100 years old, that day, she will be buried.”

On the relationship between her father and mother, Mrs Oyediran said: “There is no way you can separate Papa and Mama, or Mama from Papa, the story is one. Isn’t it interesting that Papa died on Saturday, May 9, 1987 and Mama also died on Saturday, September 19, 2015? We request for your prayers between now and when she will be buried.”