TodayPrice

Tag: IBB

  • IBB’s Book: Backlash, criticism over June 12 annulment persist

    IBB’s Book: Backlash, criticism over June 12 annulment persist

    Former Nigerian military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), continues to face criticism following the release of his autobiography, A Journey in Service, particularly for his role in annulling the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.

    During a radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG) in Abuja, PRIMORG’s Executive Director, Okhiria Agbonsuremi, joined a growing list of Nigerians questioning Babangida’s memoir.

    Speaking on the annulment, Agbonsuremi criticized Babangida’s failure to declare the late MKO Abiola as the rightful winner. He argued that the book portrays the former military leader not as the strongman many perceived him to be but as a coward unwilling to take a stand.

    “The content of IBB’s book reveals that he was not the strong leader we thought he was. He comes across as a coward—someone who, despite being a military president, could not stand up to his colleagues and assert his decision,” Agbonsuremi said.

    He also condemned Babangida’s acceptance of responsibility for the annulment without offering a sincere apology to the millions affected by the resulting crisis and human rights violations.

    “Many lives were lost due to the annulment of the June 12 election. At the very least, Babangida should have opened his book by saying, ‘I take responsibility, I am sorry, I regret my actions, and I will spend the rest of my life atoning for them,’ because he was the one responsible,” he added.

    Agbonsuremi urged President Bola Tinubu to break away from the current system hindering Nigeria’s development if he intends to make a lasting impact. He emphasized that Tinubu, given his history with June 12 and NADECO, is in a unique position to challenge political elites and push for systemic reforms.

    “The President has June 12 and NADECO in his blood. However, he is deeply embedded in the system, making it difficult for him to bring about change unless he actively separates himself from it. Leadership is a critical issue in Nigeria today, and Tinubu is the only one who can gather political stakeholders and declare, ‘Enough is enough—let’s fix the system,’” Agbonsuremi stated.

    He further highlighted the persistent lack of accountability among Nigerian leaders, urging citizens to remain active in demanding good governance through peaceful protests and organized movements.

    Listeners who called into the radio program expressed their frustration and disappointment with Babangida’s book, particularly his handling of the June 12 election annulment.

    An Abuja resident, Gideon, lamented: “What worries me is that the first credible election was annulled, and an innocent man lost his life. Abiola never got to sit in office. It’s unfortunate. But have we learned from it? Look at INEC today—they act with impunity.”

    Peter from Lugbe, Abuja, added: “IBB’s book is disappointing. I was 13 in 1992, in JSS 2, and I remember celebrating Abiola’s victory on the streets. This is shameful.”

    Moses from Wuse II, Abuja, remarked: “There’s nothing exciting about the book. IBB brought Nigeria into this mess. Many lives were lost under his rule. He had a chance to fix the country, but he was too weak—even failing to win PDP primaries when he tried to return to power.”

    Oreke from Abuja accused Babangida of dishonesty: “IBB is not telling the truth. His book does not reflect what really happened. He owes Nigerians an apology.”

    Human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, also criticized Babangida’s book launch, calling the former military leader the “Grand Commander of the Order of Cowardice.”

    Other prominent figures who have condemned A Journey in Service include human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and the families of the late MKO Abiola and Gen. Sani Abacha.

  • Plot against Murtala Muhammed started from Day 1 —IBB

    Plot against Murtala Muhammed started from Day 1 —IBB

    THE plot that led to the assassination of former Head of State, Major General Murtala Muhammed on February 13, 1976, started from the day he took over in 1975 because he refused to accept a triumvirate power-sharing arrangement, according to former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

    After the coup that ousted General Yakubu Gowon, he said Murtala Muhammed shunned expectations of younger officers to run a ‘collective’ administration and this led to plots to remove him.

    IBB said this in his autobiography: A Journey in Service,” which was launched last Thursday.

    He also recounted how Murtala Muhammed won the hearts of Nigerians through popular actions but regretted that the country was yet to recover from the mass sack of top civil servants in 1975.

    He wrote: The day after the coup, 37-year-old Brigadier Murtala Ramat Muhammed emerged as the new head of state. But, contrary to the general perception, his emergence as Head of State didn’t come about smoothly. On the evening after the coup, a meeting of senior officers, including Brigade Commanders and GOCs, was convened at the Dodan Barracks at the instance of one of the top military officers, possibly Lt-Col. Yar’Adua (or was it Colonel M. I. Wushishi?).

    One of the accusations against General Gowon (which, in retrospect, seemed unfair) was that he ran the business of governance ‘like a one-man show’! So, we, the ‘younger’ senior officers who had played a role in the coup, decided that the new post-Gowon government’s leadership must be overtly collective. So, while we concluded that Brigadier Murtala Muhammed should be the head of state, our preference was for him to operate only as first among equals, especially in his dealings with the two other prominent senior officers, Brigadiers Olusegun Obasanjo and Theophilus Danjuma.

    Rough beginning

    But we knew Muhammed enough to know he would need to be persuaded to accept such an arrangement.

    So, while the rest of us ‘younger’ senior officers waited in an adjacent room, Colonel Wushishi, Lieutenant-Colonels Joe Garba, Abdullahi Mohammed and Yar’Adua took Brigadiers Muhammed, Obasanjo and Danjuma to another room to negotiate the terms of our proposal for a triumvirate-type leadership where Muhammed will be required to share power with Obasanjo and Danjuma.

    I couldn’t describe the mood since we were absent from that meeting.

    Related News
    Why Nigeria suffered 5 military coups – IBB
    Why we removed Buhari’s govt in 1985 — IBB
    How Maryam captured my heart, changed my life – IBB

    But we were close enough to pick up Muhammed’s thundering voice, rejecting such proposals outrightly. As far as I remember, the meeting lasted for hours past midnight. Finally, Murtala Muhammed agreed to be head of state while insisting that he would not be beholden to anyone as head of state!

    In a prompt style that typified his leadership, he quickly announced several retirements the next day, just as he made new appointments. All officers above the rank of Major-General or senior to any new government member were compulsorily retired.

    Mass retirements

    Those retired included such persons as the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Vice-Admiral Joseph Wey; the Deputy Chief of Staff,(Army), Major-General David Ejoor; the Chief of Naval Salem; the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, T. A. Fagbola and Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo.

    These retirements were followed simultaneously with new appointments. While the Commissioner for Works and Housing from the old SMC, Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo, replaced Vice- Admiral Wey as the new Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Brigadier Theophilus Danjuma replaced Major-General Ejoor as the Chief of Staff (Army). Danjuma would change the designation of that position upon resumption of office to ‘Chief of Army Staff,’ which has remained the designation ever since.

    The only surviving senior army officer from Gowon’s SMC, Brigadier Iliya Bisalla, also the NDA’s Commandant, became Minister of Defence. Alhaji Mohammed Dikko Yusuf became the Inspector-General of Police.

    Colonel John Yisa-Doko took over from Brigadier Emmanuel Ikwue as Chief of Air Staff, while Commodore Michael Adelanwa replaced Rear Admiral Nelson Soroh as Chief of Naval Staff.

    Sack of governors

    While all the military state governors and the Administrator of the East Central state were ‘relieved of their appointments and retired with immediate effect,’ the SMC wore a new look with the appointment of four new GOCs: Brigadier Julius Ipoola Alani Akinrinade, GOC 1 Division, Kaduna; Brigadier Martin Adamu, GOC 2 Division, Ibadan; Brigadier Emmanuel Abisoye, GOC 3 Division, Jos, and Brigadier John Obada, GOC, Lagos Garrison Organisation. Except for Lt-Col. Alfred Aduloju, who was in the SMC as the Commander of the Signals Corps, and I, who was there in my capacity as Commander of the Armoured Corps, other members of the 20-man strong SMC were senior military officers who held critical political appointments as Commissioners. These were Brigadier James Oluleye (Establishments), Colonel Joseph Nanven Garba (External Affairs), Colonel Dan Suleiman (Health), Lt-Col. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Transport), and Navy Captain Olufemi Olumide (Works & Housing).

    The remaining two other members of the SMC, Lt-Commander Godwin Ndubuisi Kanu (Navy) and Lt- Col. Muktar Mohammed (Army), held no political appointments.

    The early days of the Muhammed administration witnessed an unprecedented wave of retirements in Nigeria’s public service that had never been seen before. After the twelve military governors from the Gowon era were compulsorily retired, the government ordered a probe of their conduct in office.

    Ten of the twelve governors were found guilty of illegal enrichment and ‘dismissed with ignominy.’
    Brigadiers Oluwole Rotimi and Mobolaji Johnson were the only two.

    Some civilian members of the Gowon cabinet were also found to have enriched themselves illegally. Apart from Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the Finance Commissioner and Alhaji Ali Monguno, who affected thousands of civil servants, many top civil servants were also caught in the web of asset forfeiture of ill-gotten assets.

    Looking back now and writing as a member of the SMC, I realise we probably overdid the retirement exercise.

    The idea of retiring corrupt and incompetent public officers was appropriate. But in the surge of events, some civil servants may have been victims of an unfair witch-hunt. Goaded on by a seemingly over-exuberant mass media, we didn’t look deeply at the implications of the mass some of those affected).

    Return to civil rule programme

    With the retirements saga behind him, Murtala Muhammed hit the road running. Convinced that a critical priority for his administration was the quick return of the country to civilian democratic rule. He promptly announced the return date as October 1, 1979. Then, with speed and decisiveness that would endear him to many Nigerians, Muhammed quickly accepted Justice Aguda’s recommendation for a Federal capital in the present location and Justice Ayo Irikefe’s panel’s recommendation for the creation of more states.

    Accordingly, he promptly created seven new states, bringing the number of states from twelve to nineteen.The new states were: Ogun and Ondo (created out of the old West); Anambra and Imo (from the old East-Central State); Niger (created from the old North-Western State); Benue (from the old Benue-Plateau State); and from the old North-Eastern State, Bauchi was created.

    A footnote to the creation of the new states saga should be mentioned here, even if only in passing. When Justice Irikefe’s panel on the creation of states recommended the creation of Niger State, among others, the panel also recommended Bida as capital, inadvertently ignoring the fact that Minna was the provincial capital of the old Niger Province and should, in my view, be picked as the capital of the new state. A simple fact of history inspired my position on the matter. As two of the three old emirates of the old Niger Province with first-class Emirs, Kontagora and Bida, cancel an unusually smiling Murtala Muhammed put his thumbs up for Minna over Bida.

    Murtala Muhammed could be impulsive, but as head of state, he was, surprisingly, not brash. Those of us younger officers who got closer to him, usually during SMC meetings, saw a softer, more has stuck with me ever since.

    Equally, in foreign policy matters, Muhammed earned the admiration, especially that of his fellow stance concerning the cold-war politics of the era, but he boldly supported the Marxist-oriented People’s Movement for the Gerald Ford of the United States. When it became clear that the opposition movements in Angola (FNLA and UNITA), under providing adequate resources to MPLA for its liberation struggles.

  • IBB’s apology should close chapter of hatred, lead to national reconciliation – Gbenga Hashim

    IBB’s apology should close chapter of hatred, lead to national reconciliation – Gbenga Hashim

    Former presidential candidate and businessman, Dr. Gbenga Hashim has commended former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) for acknowledging his past mistakes and offering an apology to the nation.

    In a statement released by his media department on Tuesday, Dr. Hashim described the move as a crucial step toward national healing and reconciliation.

    Hashim, who was detained without trial under Babangida’s military regime, revealed that while he was invited to the launch of IBB’s latest book, he was unable to attend.

    However, he later visited the former Head of State to congratulate him on the success of the project, which has sparked widespread debate across the country.

    During a congratulatory visit on Tuesday to the former head of state, who found the courage to apologize to the nation over his past mistakes, Hashim explained that, rather than focusing on the controversial aspects, he emphasized the significance of Babangida’s admission of past mistakes.

    According to Hashim, “IBB is not the only leader who made mistakes in office, but not everyone has found the courage and humility to admit their errors. What he has said and written are important testimonies for national reconciliation.”

    From Political Opponent to Ally in Nation-Building

    Hashim clarified that he is neither a praise singer nor a beneficiary of Babangida’s government, recalling his strong opposition to IBB’s regime and imprisonment under Decree 2.

    However, since 2004, following mediation by the late Governor Abdulkadir Kure, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, and Dr. Esther Uduehi, he has come to appreciate Babangida’s qualities beyond politics.

    “IBB is an enigma. Despite our differences, I have come to admire his humility, simplicity, and deep love for Nigeria’s unity. To him, national unity is like a religion.”

    Babangida’s Role in Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidency

    Related News
    Anambra Guber: With fanfare, Obiora Okonkwo submits APC nomination forms, promises to win primary, main election
    Denmark to ban smartphones in schools
    IBB’s book: Place Abiola’s Picture among Nigeria’s Past Presidents, Orji Kalu tells Tinubu

    Hashim also revealed Babangida’s pivotal behind-the-scenes role in ensuring Goodluck Jonathan became President under the Doctrine of Necessity during Nigeria’s 2010 political crisis.

    “He asked me to fly in from London when some interest groups were working to prevent Jonathan from becoming Acting President. I ran errands between him and Baba in Ota. I was with IBB till 1 a.m. the night Yar’Adua was being brought back into the country.

    “We worked with Senate Leader Teslim Folarin and Senator Pulka, who represented Jonathan’s camp. The rest, as they say, is history.”

    A Call for National Reconciliation

    Hashim stressed the urgent need for Nigerian leaders to acknowledge past mistakes, arguing that a culture of accountability and reconciliation is essential for national progress.

    “As a nation, we need to apologize to some people so we can close the chapter on hatred and move forward. The victims of the first coup, including our founding fathers, those affected by the counter-coup, and various crises in our history—these wounds need to be addressed. Nelson Mandela worked with De Klerk to reconcile South Africa. We must also work hard to bring our country together.”

    With Babangida’s recent public admission and apology, discussions around leadership accountability, historical injustices, and national unity have gained renewed momentum. Whether other Nigerian leaders will follow in his footsteps remains to be seen, but Hashim’s remarks underscore the importance of reflection, reconciliation, and healing in Nigeria’s political landscape.

  • How Maryam captured my heart, changed my life – IBB

    How Maryam captured my heart, changed my life – IBB

    ABUJA – Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has reflected on his life and marriage, describing his late wife, Maryam Babangida, as the pillar of his personal and professional journey.

    He credited her unwavering support, intelligence, and vision for shaping both his career and her own transformative role as Nigeria’s First Lady.

    IBB shared these reflections in his memoir, A Journey in Service, which was released to the public in Abuja. In the book, he detailed how his relationship with Maryam began before the Nigerian Civil War and evolved into a lifelong partnership that played a crucial role in his leadership and governance.

    A Love Story Forged in War

    IBB’s journey with Maryam began long before his rise to power, tracing back to their early days in Bida, where they first met. However, it was after surviving a near-death experience during the Nigerian Civil War that he realized the need for stability and companionship.

    “THE ARMY DID not issue me a wife, but it made clear that having one would assist in career advancement. A stable family is a criterion for judging officers. After my first close encounter with death in the Civil War, I prioritized establishing a stable family life.

    “My relationship with Maryam, born Maria in Asaba on November 1, 1948, was connected to my youth in Bida. Garba Duba, my friend from secondary school, and I entered Course Six at the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) in Kaduna on December 10, 1962.

    “The initiation at NMTC was harsh. Duba left after a few days, telling his father he wasn’t suited for army life. His father gathered us for a pep talk, which prepared us for our future as officers.

    “I first met Maria at Duba’s house. Duba’s aunt, Asabe, was Maria’s mother. We shared digs in Kaduna, and I saw more of her. Duba was like a brother to her, which allowed me to spend time with Maria.

    “Young military officers often had short-lived liaisons, myself included. Despite this, I was fond of Maria, and she grew fond of me. Our relationship felt predestined. At NMTC, I became more aware of her. We remained friends through my early army years, including training abroad.

    “In April 1967, I left for a four-month course in the UK, but I was recalled in July due to political turmoil. By the time I returned, the nation was at war,” he wrote.

    Related News
    President Tinubu’s directive on National Carrier, Dr. Kana, watch your back!
    Gender inequality remains pressing issue — Lagos Speaker Meranda
    Foreign aid freeze: Nigeria’s US average $1bn annual receipt under threat
    The Decision to Settle Down

    His near-fatal injury in 1969, during combat near Umuahia, forced him into deep reflection. Lying in a hospital bed, he resolved to build a stable family, and Maryam became the natural choice. He admired her reserved nature and upbringing, and despite his reputation as a ladies’ man, he was determined to convince her.

    IBB stated, “Upon my return, I was posted to the war front and saw action. In April 1969, during our advance towards Umuahia, I was shot, and shrapnel lodged in my chest. I was evacuated to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). While convalescing, I reflected on my fortune in surviving and the future ahead. As the only male child, I was troubled that my death would end my family name.

    “This was the first time I seriously considered finding a wife. At 28, it felt like time to settle down. The marriage of General Gowon to Victoria further focused my thoughts on marriage. Lying in bed, I recalled past relationships, often thinking of Maria Okogwu and her beauty.

    “Maria’s father, Leonard Okogwu, worked in the Survey department and traveled widely. He married Hajiya Asabe Halima Mohammed from Kontagora. After his retirement, Maria and her siblings lived with their mother in Kaduna.

    “Maria attended Queen Amina College and the Federal Training Centre in Kaduna. During the crisis before the Civil War, her uncle adopted her and her siblings, leading to the surname King on our marriage certificate.
    “I had chosen Maria before leaving the hospital. After my discharge, I went to Kaduna to share my intentions. I admired her reserved nature and upbringing, and I was determined not to accept No. Fortune favored me, and I felt lucky.”

    Maryam’s Reluctance and Conviction

    Maryam was initially skeptical of IBB’s sincerity, wary of his reputation. Despite this, he enlisted the support of her family, particularly her uncle, to win her over. He also assured her that he would remain faithful and avoid polygamy, a promise he upheld throughout their marriage.

    IBB reminisced, “Initially, Maria was sceptical of me as marriage material due to my past. She doubted my seriousness, and others echoed her concerns. However, her family had no objections, and I enlisted help from Garba Duba’s father to strengthen my proposal.

    “Once I showed my seriousness, Maria considered becoming Mrs. Babangida. I explained my faith and asked her to convert to Islam, which was not difficult for her given her background. She adapted easily to married life as a Muslim.

    “In my proposal, I assured her I would not take multiple wives, understanding that avoiding polygamy would lead to a stable family life. I wanted a true partner, and she exceeded my expectations.

    “After securing her promise, I returned to the war front, then we married on September 6, 1969, in Kaduna, following Islamic rites after her conversion.

    “Many, including friends, doubted my ability to stay faithful, but I promised to uphold my marriage vows, which I did.

    “After marriage, I was deployed to the Nigerian Defence Academy for two years, allowing us to settle as newlyweds. Maryam proved to be an excellent housewife, actively involved in my meals and our relationship. We handled disagreements independently and rarely quarreled.

    “Maryam wanted to be more than a housewife; she recognized the importance of the home front in our mutual success. Throughout my career, she stood beside me.

    “Observers may find it surprising that a focused woman could also be a devoted wife and mother. For me, her commitment to our family and country was the foundation of her success.”

    A Power Couple in Leadership

    As IBB’s career progressed, Maryam became more than just a supportive wife—she actively reshaped the role of First Lady. She led initiatives to improve the lives of military families and, later, Nigerian women at large, pioneering projects that elevated her to an iconic status in governance.

    “After I became Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in 1983, Maryam began to show the country her remarkable qualities and clear vision. As President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), she was proactive, launching schools, clinics, women’s training centers, and child day-care centers to improve the lives of army officers’ families. Her activism as President of NAOWA inadvertently brought us into the limelight as a power couple,” the former military leader recalled.

    Maryam’s Legacy and Lasting Impact

    Through the Better Life for Rural Women Programme, Maryam championed women’s empowerment, education, and economic development, leaving a legacy that outlived her. Her influence extended beyond Nigeria, inspiring other African First Ladies to take active roles in societal development.

    IBB stated, “As I look back on those activities during my time as COAS, I see the seeds of Maryam’s activist interpretation of the first lady’s role. Evidence of Maryam as a go-getter came when I attended a military course in the United States. Maryam accompanied me and took a course at La Salle University in Chicago.

    “During that time in the U.S., she showed particular interest in Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She read and inquired about her, clearly admiring her supportive role. I suspect she wanted to model herself on FDR’s wife, learning about the role of a supportive wife and wanting to work alongside me to help achieve my goals. Like Eleanor Roosevelt, the ‘pet project’ became a means of doing good. I appreciated her immeasurably for this.

    “I admired her clarity of mind in knowing the extraordinary demands on senior military officers at that time. The Home Front was a concept she embraced. Maryam knew from the outset that I made and kept numerous friends. Since I became Chief of Army Staff, the traffic through our home increased, and she was charming and gracious to our guests.

    “After my teaching assignment at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), I rose through the military hierarchy, primarily due to the excellently marshalled home front. Many of my assignments straddled military and government functions because the military was in power for an extended period.

    “In 1985, after the coup that removed General Buhari, I served as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. Maryam and I were a team. Leading the government meant I had even less time for domestic duties. I was grateful to her for ensuring our children did not feel my absence too much.

    “Maryam always left a place positively impacting it and those around her. Nowhere was this better demonstrated than during my time as head of state. It would not be hyperbole to describe her as Nigeria’s most effective First Lady. She reshaped the position as she conceived it.

    “Let me clarify. There have been other worthy wives of Nigerian heads of state, each performing their role to the best of their ability. Our constitution does not recognize the role of a First Lady, so each occupant must define the role. Maryam took things to another level.

    “She knew I intended to alter our nation’s evolution across various social and economic indices and saw an opportunity to positively affect the lives of women, specifically rural women. Her thinking aligned with our desire to transform the social ecosphere, so I had no difficulty allowing her the leeway she required.

    “I would not have contemplated this were it not for my confidence in her. We shared our thoughts, and I was satisfied with her plans as they evolved. Her years as President of NAOWA presaged what lay ahead. Her clarity of thinking enabled her to reshape the role of First Lady in Nigeria and beyond, synchronizing the women’s agenda with our development agenda. She contributed to greater participation of women in society and government.

    “I recognized that women were significantly underrepresented in national development, although rural women were a mainstay in agriculture. My contributions included appointing female state commissioners and Deputy Governors. This backdrop enabled Maryam to create her outstanding work for alleviating women’s poverty—the Better Life for Rural Women programme.

    “Her approach was systematic. She gathered a team of like-minded women, many academics, and assessed the plight of rural women by traveling around the country. This culminated in a Women in Rural Development workshop in Abuja in 1987.

    “Maryam and her team devised a clear plan. Key touch points included adult education, co-operatives, improved agricultural practices, food processing, preservation, marketing, and healthcare. As Chairperson of the Programme, she was supported by a National Organisation Committee, replicated at state and local levels.

    “The extensive survey ensured a connection between the programme’s goals and what was required to achieve them. Mass participation was its mantra, which proved vital to its success.

    “Many erroneously believed I made special funding provisions; I did no such thing. The programme’s worthiness ensured funding through self-help and voluntary donations. I gave Maryam a relatively free hand because I believed in her and the good she aimed to achieve.

    “By 1991, four years after its commencement, rural women’s income-generating capacity improved as they embraced self-help. The emphasis on agricultural produce and rural arts and crafts brought appreciable benefits. Rural women were generating more income and contributing to better lives for their families.

    “Maryam’s efforts dovetailed with ongoing government programmes in primary healthcare and family planning. Adult literacy campaigns ramped up, and a National Centre for Women’s Development was established in Abuja.

    “The overall impact of the Better Life for Rural Women Programme was incredible. By its fourth anniversary, the Programme had registered 7,635 corporations, 997 cottage industries, 1,751 new farms, 487 Better Life shops, 419 women’s centres, and 163 social welfare programmes.

    “Rather than merely being a First Lady’s pet project, the Programme mobilized rural women for self-development and political participation.

    “Maryam championed the plight and welfare of children everywhere, and her efforts did not go unnoticed. In 1991, the US-based Hunger Project recognized her contributions.”

    A Love That Stood The Test of Time

    IBB credits Maryam’s strength, devotion, and intelligence for making him a better leader and a better man. Even after her passing in 2009, he admits that his life remains divided into two—before and after Maryam.
    “I never imagined Maryam would pass before me, but life is in Allah’s hands. My life is divided into before and after December 2009 (when she was here & since she’s been gone).

    “I’m often asked why I fully supported the Better Life for Rural Women Programme. The answer is simple: Maryam and her team researched thoroughly and followed the evidence. It aligned with our socio-economic goals. She ran a tight ship at home—strict and disciplined—so I knew she’d approach this with the same dedication.

    “She was resourceful and worked hard to establish an office for the First Lady, converting the old squash court at Dodan Barracks. My Political Adviser, Dr. Tunji Olagunju, assisted with logistics.

    “Maryam was confident, intentional, and comfortable with people. She had native intelligence and made the most of every day as a wife, mother, advocate, and partner. We shielded our children from public scrutiny and decided together what was best for them.

    “I’m grateful for our life together and our children. Coping without her is hard, but her memories and lasting impact make it easier,” IBB concluded.