Awolowo, Hannah (1915–)

Nigerian businesswoman and philan-thropist. Name variations: Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo, Mama H.I.D. Born Hannah Idowu Dideolu Adelana, Nov 25, 1915, at Ikenne Remo, Nigeria; dau. of Chief Moses Odugbemi Adelana (prince) and Elizabeth Oyesile-Adelana (businesswoman and member of Nigerian royalty); attended Saint Saviour's Anglican School, Saint Peter's School, and Methodist Girls' High School in Lagos; m. Obafemi Awolowo (journalist), Dec 26, 1937; children: Segun, Olusegun, Omotola, Oluwole, and Ayo.

Entrepreneur whose early ventures in trade grew into a business empire that generated a fortune, allowing husband to devote himself to politics as a nationalist leader; entered business after departure of husband to study in England (1944); founded Didelou Stores Ltd., Ligu Distribution Services Ltd. (after 1946); backed the founding of The Nigerian Tribune, later expanded to include the African Newspapers of Nigeria Ltd., and African Press Ltd. (1949); husband became prime minister of the western region of Nigeria (1951), lost bid for national leadership (1959), imprisoned for treason (1962), and released after government coup (1966); campaigned for him in 2 unsuccessful bids for the national presidency (1979 and 1983); continued her philanthropic activities after husband's death (1987); awarded the 1,000-year-old chieftaincy title of Yeye-Oba for life (1980).

See also Tola Adeniyi, The Jewel: The Biography of Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo (Ibandan, Nigeria: Gemini Press, 1993); and Women in World History.