by Stanley Azuakola

Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, the wife of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty is 97 years old and no one can bet against her making that a century in three years time. That, probably, explains why when she was asked about her reaction to the rumours of her death which was widely circulated on Sunday June3, she expressed shock.

On a day when a bomb blast and a plane crash were recorded in the country, Nigerians were jarred when they heard rumours of H.I.D Awolowo’s death. Facebook and twitter were abuzz with postings and tweets on the matter.

Mrs Awolowo said she was indoors all through that Sunday and had no idea what could have fuelled the false speculation.

“I have not been sick for a long time,” she said. “It is not as if I was rushed to the hospital for any treatment. So I do not know how the rumour started or what could have caused people to peddle such a rumour about me.