Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo led other prominent Nigerians, including the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former governors of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Chief Gbenga Daniel, among others, to accord honour to the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Dideolu.
The event was a film presentation/drama, titled: “Awo: The Man, His Jewel And…” The presentation by Duke of Somolu Production, which took place at Glover Hall, showcased the political life and times of the sage and his wife, Hannah, whom papa himself described as a jewel of inestimable value.
Others present at the event were: wife of the vice president, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; Professor A. B. B. O. Oyediran, Alhaja Abah Folawiyo, Mrs Ayotola Ayodeji, Mr Tunde Kelani, Co-producer of the drama, Barrister Ladi Soyode among others.
Speaking at the event, Gbajabiamila lauded the producer, Edga, saying what he saw with the presentation was “immortality”.
While noting that it was common to have people who had passed being brought alive through books, drama and others, and not really through music, Gbajabiamila said the takeaway he had of the sage from the presentation was that “once upon all the time, there was a man,” and not the common saying of “once upon a time, there was a man.”
He said, “Let me very quickly commend Edga on the production tonight. What I see is immortality. You hear people brought alive through books, drama, others, but not really through music. That is what has happened tonight. Papa wore many caps today.
“I have many takeaways, I am excited. My conclusion is once upon all the time, there was a man. I am glad,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu, in his remark, said the uniqueness in what was presented on “Awo: The Man, His Jewel And…” was bringing back memory of Ibeju-Lekki where Awolowo was incarcerated and the blessing he showered on the community, which had come to pass.
The governor, who recalled that Ibeju- Lekki was where the sage was incarcerated by the then regime of Alhaji Tafawa Balewa in the First Republic, said the blessing showered on the community had now come to pass, as the place had now turned to economic hub centre of the state, having Deep Blue Seaport, a refinery, and many others.
Besides, Sanwo-Olu said he was excited to see that the past glory of Glover Hall was being brought back, expressing his appreciation to the director of Duke of Somolu Production for bringing entertainment back to Lagos.
Meanwhile, speaking earlier on behalf of the Awolowo family, Barrister Soyode said the drama offers a simply human narrative to the turbulences and victories of a family man devoted to the cause of “freedom for all, life more abundant and a wife that stood by him through thick and thin.