Former First Lady, late Mrs. Maryam Babangida, has been commended for being a trailblazer for first ladies in Nigeria. She was openly identified for her Better Life Programme for Rural Women, which served to awaken the consciousness of women.
According to Aisha Babangida, the Better Life Programme for Rural Women came with the scope of discussing relegation of rural women in discourse affecting national development and invisibility of positive actions towards causes favoring rural women.
During an event organised by late Mrs Maryam Babangida’s Daughter, Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in Abuja tagged “Mothers of the Nation”: History Revived 2020, which was well-attended by former first ladies to honour the late iconic first lady and founder of Better Life Programme for Rural Women.
Late Mrs. Babangida was commended for initiating the National Women Commission as the first institutionalised machinery for women development in the country, which led to the concept of women becoming a permanent feature in development planning.
Hajiya Aisha stressed that, all legacies of her late Mother will be improved thus typically aiming to build stronger and more resilient Women in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari and founder of Future Assured programme ,Mrs Aisha Mohammadu Buhari stated that all first ladies that came after late Maryam Babangida initiated programmes in order to add value to the work of their husbands.
Speaking on the Future Assured programme, which she initiated, Mrs. Buhari said it focused on the challenges of women as captured by the various development goals, including health and well-being of women and children, empowerment of women and youth, equitable quality education for women and girls, as well as protection of women’s rights.
The well attended event witnessed a video of goodwill message from former military president, Retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, and panel discussions featuring the former first ladies and gender specialists.
The former first ladies in attendance were ;
Her Excellency, Mrs.Uche Azikwe.
Her Excellency, Mrs.Victoria Ironsi.
Her Excellency, Mrs.Victoria Gowon.
Her Excellency, Mrs.Ajoke Mohammed.
Her Excellency, Mrs.Turai Yar’Adua.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Fati Lami Abubakar.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Paitence Jonathan.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Margaret Shonekan
Her Excellency, Mrs.Maryam Abacha.
A minute silence for the first ladies who have passed on ;
Her Excellency, Hajiya Jummai Tafawa Balewa.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Flora Azikwe.
Her Excellency, Aisha Shagari.
Her Excellency, Safinatu Buhari
and Her Excellency, Hajiya Maryam Ibrahim Babangida.
Also in attendance were ; Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osibanjo, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Chair Lady of the Occasion, Hajiya Jummai Sabo Sambo, sister to the Late Mrs. Maryam Babangida and Executive Director, EL-Amin International School, Minna, Alhaji Muhammad Babangida, Executive Director, EL-Amin International School, Minna and Alhaji Aminu Babangida, Chairman Unity Bank.
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