Late Maryam Babangida
Buried Amidst Tears
The
remains of late Mrs. Maryam Babangida, who died on Sunday in the
United States of America, after a long battle with cancer was
committed to mother earth early Wednesday morning.
Mrs. Babangida was buried according to Muslim rites at 12.45
midnight, contrary to an earlier announcement the state
government, that the burial would be held at about 11 am.
Former governor of Niger state, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kure defended
the late night burial. He said that there was nothing wrong with
the burial, saying, ’’Islam is not against it.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that in spite of the shift in
time, hundreds of mourners thronged Minna, the Niger state
capital, to attend the funeral which lasted into the early hours
of Wednesday morning, with the Chief Imam of Minna, Alhaji
Ibrahim Fari, officiating.
Tributes
Senator Awaisu Kuta, representing Niger East, described the
deceased as a source of inspiration to the people and a pillar
to her family, especially her husband, General Ibrahim Babangida.
He said that all the successes recorded in the life of Babangida
could be traced to her wife, for her support and encouragement,
stressing, ’’We will miss her very much for her concern for
women and children.’’
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, a member of the house of representatives
commended that she was, ''A true mother, beautiful, caring,
firm, focused and full of wise initiatives. Her pet programme –
‘Better Life’, remains one of the most successful and most
effective.’’
Wife of the Enugu state governor, Mrs. Clara Chime, described
the late First Lady, as a great woman and mother, who
contributed to the upliftment of women and the less privileged
in the country.
The Country Director of “Women for Women”, an NGO, Miss
Ngozi Eze, said late Maryam made the office of the First Lady
relevant in nation building. According to Eze, Mrs. Babangida
started the ‘Better life for Rural Women’ programme,
which propelled the rights of women in Nigeria.
She added, ’’ Nigerian women will build on her ideologies
that rural women should be brought on board in the scheme of
things.’’
Roll Call
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale
Ahmed, led the Nigerian government delegation while General
Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former Head of State, was also in
attendance.
Other personalities who graced the burial ceremony include the
governors of Niger, Babangida Aliyu; Zamfara, Alhaji Aliyu
Shinkafi; Kaduna, Alhaji Namadi Sambo and the FCT Minister,
Alhaji Adamu Aliero.
The Emir of Minna, Alhaji Usman Bahago, the CEO of Dangote
group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, retired Lt Gen. Ibrahim Wushishi
and other retired and serving military officers were also at the
event.
NAN/Qasim/Yinka
