That was how the great Chief Obafemi Awolowo immortalised his wife HID Awolowo
At the tail end of his life, he looked at her and said – darling, you are a jewel of inestimable value and that stuck.
That wasn’t a light statement, that wasn’t a statement made during the throes of passionate sex but that was a statement made in massive appreciation for the love, loyalty, and courage shown by this woman throughout his very eventful life
Scholars have detailed the unique role this woman played not only on his life but in the life of our nation
Her contribution to his education thereby gifting Nigeria with one of its greatest philosophical mind, her role on party politics-she was credited with being the first person to carry a broom to a political party meeting. A symbol that has been copied by the ruling APC.
She was credited with being the first oerson to lead a coalition of great minds to form a huge merger in political party politics and what a lot of people didnt know was that she even stood for elections to be our prime minister
Her greatest win was her steadfast loyalty to one of the greatest Africans ever.
Thru thick and thin she stayed loyal. She believed on his vision and made huge sacrifices including standing firm on his principles during his jail time and not flinching even with the loss of her first son Segun Awolowo who died on a car crash on the way to go and defend his father who was facing treason charges
Mama was powerful and influential and had the most powerful title on Ile-Ife the fradle of Yoruba land.
Her power was well featured in my Play Awo. Writer Director Makinde did a great job in pushing out her contributions and the scene where gifted Yinka Davies sang – dide, dide was the most evocative in the play
Today, how manyen can look at their wives and say – ohhh you are a jewel of in estimable value
Infact most men would look at their wives and just shake their heads on regret ajd walk away
Women like Mama are no longer made, they are now extinct and we can only see them on history books and movies and stage plays like Awo
Our women just like the Duke have gone mad all over again
They demand respect and equality even without even knowing one scent about workong for it
In researching the Play, we found out that Awo ceeded leadership of the home to mamas capable leadership and she didnt falter
It was the way she handled the homefront that gave him the strength to run Nigeria in his various manifestations
As Premier, as Minsiter of Finance, as party leaderx as Elder Stateman and as a philosopher
She never indulged in the stupidity of being First lady, she never was flamboyant and leading women thru meaningless egotistic programs that creamed off public purse, she knew her role as a partner and understood that two captains cannot run a ship
She demured to him, respected him, gave hok wise counsel and treated him like her king
He in turn, ceeded power to herm she sat at the head of the table, sat on the owners corner of the car and led worship
In my Play Sardauna written by the brilliant Prof Ahmed Yerima there is a scene where Sardauna wife – the one who died with him (she is having her own play next year to be written by Prof Liman) was telling Sardauna that, ‘me and mama were working with the women to bridge the gap between the North and the south veey quietly
Our modern day women hsbe lost it. When you engage them, they jump midway into conversations not understandong your drift but yhrowing oit emotional garbage while pushing for leadership that will now be handled without the necessary capacity needed for its effective usage
We have some beautiful well situated women no doubt but I dare say they do not make up to 20% of theor total population
Its just a mad crises out there.. Unhinged femaledom has been released into society snd what we have is emotional carnage everywhere
Divorce rates going thru the roofx domestic violence unabated, rudderlesw children cos mummy is busy out there trying to wrest control or busy pushing independence or something stuoid like that
Men are in trouble. Men are confused. Men will never habe the peace and lovr Awo had.
Women like Mama have all died and have been replaced by a medusa headed monsters who pretend to be mothers, wives, sisters and partners
The solution is for women to have a general rethink.
Go back into the conservative hue, accept theans leadership and start to unlearn the stupidity that has made most if you run mad
I will be taking 50 women at my own expense to go and sit down with Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, Mama’s last surviving child to sit with her so she can tell you all the story of mama HID Awolowo so you can hear from the horses mouth how a woman stooped to conquer
Indeed she was the jewel of inestimable value and I really want to look at our women and withiut any fear say – yes, you all are Jewels of inevitable value
But as it is it will be hard to make that statement frm what we are seeing today
Come and beat me
Duke of Shomolu