Maryam Babangida passes on at 61

Maryam Babangida

Former First Lady and founder of Better Life for Rural Women programme, Mrs. Maryam Babangida is dead.

The death of the wife of former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida occurred in the early hours of today,  aged 61, after a protracted illness according to a statement by the General’s family.

“With total submission to the Will of Allah, we humbly announce the passing away of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and amiable friend Hajiya Maryam Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.”

Maryam with her children; Aminu, Aishat and Muhammed

“The former chairperson of the Better Life for Rural Women during her husband’s years in office had been hospitalised for ovarian cancer at University of California Los Angele’s (UCLA) Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles, United States.”

She died beside her husband, General Babangida who has been at her bedside in the US hospital till her death.

Born on November 1, 1948, she had fairly humble beginnings in her hometown of Asaba where she received part of her early education before moving up North to Queen Amina College, Kaduna for her Secondary education. She went on to graduate as a Secretary at the Federal Training Centre, Kaduna and later obtained a diploma in secretaryship from Laselle University, Chicago, USA as well as a Certificate in Computer Science from the NCR Institute, Lagos.

On September 6, 1969, two months before her 21st Birthday, she got married to Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (then a Major). Their marriage has been blessed with four children: 2 boys, Mohammed and Aminu and two girls, Aisha and Halima.