IBB moves to immortalise late wife, Maryam

Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has concluded plans to establish a scholarship programme at all levels of the Nigerian school system in memory of his late wife, Maryam.

He made the disclosure in his address at the inaugural annual memorial lecture in honour of the former first lady, who died of ovarian cancer on December 27, 2009, in California, United States.

Babangida, who was represented by Chief Emmanuel Eboh, poured encomiums on Maryam, who he described as a faithful wife, role model and supportive partner dedicated to the emancipation of Nigerian women.

He said Maryam worked with passion and commitment towards alleviating the poor living condition of Nigerian families through her pet project, ‘Better Life for Rural Women,’ which she initiated to empower the women.

According to him, the late Maryam made her mark in her lifetime and would ever be remembered as a good wife, sweet mother and role model by the Babangida family and Nigerian women.

“The late Maryam Babangida, whom we are honouring today, was a great woman of value. She was a supportive wife, a caring mother and a role model, who brought out the true colour of the Nigerian woman. She was a woman of colours in every aspect of her life.

“It is in view of her contributions to the emancipation of the Nigerian woman that as a family, we want this annual event to embody scholarship awards.

“The scholarship award programme will be part of our contribution to the preservation of the memory of this great Nigerian woman and will cut across all levels of the Nigerian school system,” Babangida said.

The highpoints of the event were a cultural dance play by the Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) and a playlet presented by the Theatre Arts Department, State College of Education, Agbor, in her native Delta State.