**B*r*e*a*k*i*n*g N*E*W*S **

 CHIEF Oluwole Awolowo, publisher of the Tribune titles, is dead, aged 70 years old.

A statement by the Managing Director/ Editor -in- Chief of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Mr Edward Dickson said, Thursday: “We announce the final home call of the Publisher/ Vice Chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Pls, Publishers of the Tribune titles, Chief Awolowo.

He was 70 years old. Chief Awolowo died 5.40pm Nigerian time at Wellington hospital, St Johnswood, London following complications arising from a car crash that occurred on September 30, 2006.
“He had been in and out of hospital, home and abroad, since he was involved in the ghastly accident seven years ago on the Lagos- Ibadan expressway.


“Despite his health challenges following the accident, Chief Awolowo devoted his life to the service of God and was deeply involved in evangelical activities. In the past four years, he authored a Christian column, OBA’S LECTERN, in the Sunday Tribune. “He fought a good fight and has gone to rest with his Maker. We ask for prayers at this most trying time for the Awolowo family and for the ANN Plc”.

In his reaction, Governor Ibikunle Amosun described his death as “a sad occurrence which thrown the state into mourning”. According to the governor, “the death is made worse by the fact that he is survived by his mother, Chief H I D Awolowo. The sympathy goes to the entire Awolowo family as the state mourns his death”.
Also reacting to Awolowo’s death, PAN-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere said his death was a big pain and loss to followers of the sage, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo,

Afenifere, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin said “The entire Afenifere family mourns the passing away of the scion of our illustrious leader’s family, Chief Oluwole Awolowo
.His death is big pain and loss to all of us who are followers of the sage. We pray that the Almighty will strengthen our Mama and the entire family in this difficult moment. May his amiable soul rest in perfect peace.”
Oluwole, had been in and out of illness of recent. Between 2011 and 2012 he was on admission for about a year at the UniversityCollegeHospital, Ibadan, OyoState. He left the hospital barely seven months ago.
Before the long admission, he was initially admitted for recurring pains from a forgotten accident episode. But the development deteriorated and warranted intensive care to be managed.
The situation at a point degenerated to a state that tales of death made the rounds- but the ailing publisher survived the odds.

However, seven months of the dramatic recovery, the heir of the family of the legendary Yoruba leader and sage – Chief Obafemi Awolowo, kicked the bucket.
Born on December 3, 1942 to late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Mama Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, he attended the prestigious IbadanGrammar School in OyoState and the LeightonParkSchool, Reading, Berdshire, England.
He was also at the famous Leeds College of Commerce where he read Business Studies.
Among other places, he worked in the Nigerian Tobacco Company, Ibadan; the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation; and the Nigerian Television Service, Lagos.