There was a landmark book launch in Abuja a few days ago. It was a glittering event with the ‘Who’s Who’ in the nation in attendance. There are enough articles and reviews on the latest addition to our military history, and political system.
My focus this week will be on the celebrated spouse of the author of the tome. While ex-President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida could be described as charismatic, and flamboyant during his tenure as Military President, his wife, Maryam Ndidi Babangida of blessed memory was undoubtedly the peak of the pack in her time.
She was an ebony black winsome lady who carried herself with so much dignity, and panache. She was a classy fashionista with a taste for high end trendy wears. She popularised African fashion in her interactions with other foreign leaders.
When she accompanied her husband on a State visit to Great Britain, Maryam Babangida wowed the then Queen Elizabeth 11, and Prince Philip.
I practiced my craft as female journalist during her time as First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I covered several of her official engagements during the period.
Of particular interest was the Better Life for Rural Women Fair in 1990. King Charles 111, then Prince Charles, and Princess Diana, his late first wife, were special guests at the week long event.
Better Life for Rural Women (BLP) was Mrs. Maryam Babangida’s pet project to alleviate the suffering, and hopelessness of lowly women across the country.
Every State government was mandated to initiate community projects, microcredit loans, and vocational training for such vulnerable members of the society.
This was also the golden age of the print media. Several magazines, and newspapers successfully plied their trades in the country at the time.
This was the era before Social Media such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, X and others.This was before the smartphones, iPads, computers and 24/7 television outlets. Not to talk about Netflix, Showmax or Disney streaming services.
Journalists of that time were the original influencers because of the power they wielded as custodians of knowledge, and information.
Most of the members of the profession carried on with much success, and produced top rated publications in the 80s and 90s.
I bet Gen Z generation cannot imagine life without their android or iPhones. Back then, life was exciting. Trust me.
I vividly recall an official trip that we took to Accra, Ghana as media representatives of our various organisations. Mrs. Maryam Babangida was a Special Guest of Mrs. Nana Rawlings, First Lady of Ghana.
On that trip, frontline female journalists from print and electronic media were invited to cover the event. I recall Greg Obong Oshotse was her Press Secretary. He was at various times at the Guardian and Daily Independent Newspapers.
Mrs. Abike Dabiri then of Nigerian Television Authority(NTA), Mrs. Tinu Odugbemi then of Concord Newspapers, and yours truly then of The Sunday Magazine, (TSM) attended the international conference among others.
Mrs. Maryam Babangida dazzled everyone during the conference with her composure, intellect, and fashion sense. She paraded, and showcased African fashion like professional models on the Paris runway!
She was an amazing, and effective development figure during her husband’s tenure as Military President. She turned an otherwise non existent office into an exciting position, such that First Ladies after her are now striving to build on.
Mrs. Maryam Ndidi Babangida’s place in Nigeria’s history as a development oriented person cannot be overemphasised. This is my tribute to an iconic lady whose legacy in women’s empowerment still speaks loudly decades after her passing.
One can safely say that she was a trailblazing, and iconic First Lady.
What do you think?
Please send me your comments and feedback on this article and other topics to mooborscounsellingroom@gmail.com.
By Mubo Okosun
Women’s Editor
