Asaba Community Celebrates the Enduring Legacy of Late First Lady Maryam Babangida
By Emmanuel Enebeli
ASABA/Nigeria: In a momentous declaration, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, has hailed the late first lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Maryam Babangida, as an iconic daughter of the community who, in her early years, fervently championed the cause of equitable distribution of opportunities for Nigerians through her advocacy programmes. This tribute came to the fore during the announcement of a one-week celebration in honor of her 76th birthday.
The respected traditional ruler spoke eloquently about the initiative, which was initiated last year to commemorate the life and contributions of one of the community’s most illustrious daughters, as he said Maryam Babangida’s indelible impact on the development and empowerment of Nigerian women during her tenure as First Lady continues to reverberate through the ages.
Representative for Oshimili South in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu
Addressing the media from his regal residence, Asagba Edozien’s sentiments were conveyed by the Iyase of Asaba, Chief Patrick Onyeobi. He underscored Maryam Babangida’s visionary commitment to women’s recognition, improved living conditions, and leadership opportunities within the country. Her enduring efforts to place women and their concerns at the forefront of national discourse and policy-making underscore her lifelong dedication to this cause.
The revered traditional ruler highlighted Maryam’s work during her tenure as the President of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), during which she introduced and implemented numerous educational and economic empowerment programs for the wives of Army Officers. He emphasized that her passion for uplifting and empowering Nigerian women shone through in her notable pet project, the ‘Better Life Programme for Rural Women,’ encompassing agricultural, health, and educational initiatives aimed at bolstering women’s well-being.
The week-long tribute program will encompass a seminar with the theme “Giving Impetus to Women in Governance and Enterprise,” an exhibition chronicling Maryam Babangida’s life, and a symbolic tree planting exercise on Maryam Babangida Way in Asaba. This event seeks to draw public attention to the vital need for renewed commitment in the battle against climate change.
The press briefing, attended by distinguished palace chiefs, including the Osowa Owelle of Asaba, Chief (Engr.) C. C. Chukwurah, and the representative for Oshimili South in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, serves as a prelude to a commemoration that promises to honor a truly iconic figure in Nigerian history.
