Date Published: 12/28/09

Press Statement for Immediate Release

We have lost a gem.

I received with rude shock the news of the sudden death of Mrs. Mariam Banbangida, an amiable wife of the former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. This is an irreparable lost to his entire family, political associates and a nation as a whole.  Nigeria has once again lost another gem and indomitable woman of courage who contributed positively to her husband’s tenure as Nigeria Head of State.

Her program and initiative brought her into the Nigerian’s hall of fame and also put our nation into global focus as a country that was sensitive to gender development and eradication of poverty. Her power of mobilization through her pet program named “Better life Program for rural women” was indeed a great strategy that put hope and smiles in the face of every woman in Nigeria during her reign as a first lady. Mariam was an Amazon and could be put at pal with great women like Queen Amina, Queen Elizabeth II, Hillary Clinton, and Jacqueline Kennedy; both were former first ladies of the United States of America. In fact, Late Mariam Babangida is a classical example of “daughter of dignity” and a great African woman.  It is, of course, highly imperative to task every Nigerian woman to emulate her virtues and ensure that her legacy never died. This is the only way to honor the fallen heroine and immortalize her name.

It is regrettable that Mariam left us at a time that Nigerians are groaning under abject poverty and looking forward for a credible leadership including women, and in all ramifications to liberate Nigeria from our man-made poverty which we are currently witnessing in our country as a result of bad governance

That the death is an ultimate debt that every human being will pay is not in doubt. However, our contribution to human development and devotion to almighty Allah during our lifetime is the only guarantee for ascending into Paradise after our earthly journey. I hereby commiserate with her family and pray that the Almighty Allah gives the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost.

Signed on behalf of Alh. Attahiru Bafarawa (Garkuwan Sokoto)

By

Oludare Ogunlana,

Director of Organization and Strategy,

Bafarawa Initiative for Nigeria, (BIN)