TODAY, marks the first year anniversary of the passing on to glory of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty who was co-founder and chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo. The Yeye Odu’a of Yorubaland passed on at the age of 99.

As part of the activities to commemorate the day, a Special Memorial Service holds at Efunyela Hall, at Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s residence, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State by 9 am today, while the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation will be hosting the “Unveiling of HID Awolowo Foundation” by 12 noon at the same venue.

Guest speaker at the unveiling is Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, women’s rights activist and president of Women Arise for Change Initiative, while Mrs Ayo Obe, human rights crusader and one-time president of Civil Liberty Organisation will chair the occasion.

On Tuesday, September 20, the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), will hold a One Year Memorial Anniversary Lecture in honour of Yeye HID Awolowo who was the forum’s founding chairman.

The lecture will hold at the secretariat of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, 15 Lanre Awolokun Street, Gbagada Estate Phase II, Lagos State, by 10 am.

Special guest of honour for the day will be the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II.

The lecture titled, “Eternal Sustenance of Yoruba Language and Culture” will be delivered by an erudite scholar and historian of note, Professor Adebisi Afolayan.

Both auspicious events are expected to be attended by dignitaries from within and outside the country.