The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, on Tuesday celebrated the late wife of Nigeria’s former Military President, Dr (Mrs) Maryam Ndidi Babangida, with a declaration that November 1 every year has been set aside as Maryam Babangida Day.
Asagba Edozien, at the maiden edition of the Day, which was low-key in honour of Maryam’s elder brother, Ogbueshi (Amb) Leo Okogwu, who passed away last week, described the late former Nigeria’s First Lady, of the Better Life for Rural Women fame, as an illustrious daughter of Asaba whose contributions to the development of the community would not be forgotten in a hurry.
The highly revered king, who is also the Chairman, Anioma Traditional Rulers’ Forum, recalled that Maryam’s husband, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, IBB, created Delta state in 1991, with Asaba as the state capital, which he said would not have been possible without the influence of the late First Lady.
He thanked IBB for the great honour done Asaba people, saying he remained a man with a great sense of history, considering the historical past of the community during the colonial era.
Asagba Edozien said Asaba people would remain eternally grateful to Babangida, whom he said had been conferred with the prestigious title of Odogwu of Anioma by Anioma traditional rulers, adding that their daughter, Maryam, had been immortalized, even by the Delta state government, by naming a popular road in the State Capital Territory after her.
He said subsequent editions of the Maryam Babangida Day would be grandly celebrated and urged Asaba people to continue to pray for the peaceful repose of her soul and that of his late brother, Leo Okogwu.
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