Maryam Babaginda; The Making Of The Office Of The First Lady

By: Maraya Mushkah Conteh

Africa, is my forte, no matter the numerous challenges facing us as a continent, no matter the pains that we go through as a people of the Black race, nothing can beguile my thrust for this continent, that in my heart I refer to as the hope of the world for several reasons.

As I sat in my quiet moments, reviewing the ongoing pandemic created by COVID-19 outbreak which has created room for new words such as “Social distancing” “Stay at home”, Stay safe, etc.

Without any doubt, the current situation created room for a general assessment and to look back in history some women that have created an impact in our lives across the continent.

One of the key reasons that gave rise to my writing this piece is something that I learned from a friend of mine during a hearty discussion on general issues across the globe and the essence of living and I quote him “Life is a decoration on paper, we are all contributors to an unpublished book of life, which gives reason why our good work is recalled for good even in death”.

I am an advocate of the positive role women can play in making an impact in national development, in my growing life, I keep reading the role of several African women and one name that struck my fancy is Late Madam Mariam Babangida wife of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Nigeria’s former head of state between 1985 to 1993 under the Military Junta in the most populous country in Africa.

Mariam Babangida, a woman who brought poise and panache to the position of First Lady in Africa precisely her home country, Nigeria. She created a laudable trait in her public presentation in taking issues of African women to the UN congress, her dress sense and her common traits in relating with rural women in her home country Nigeria.

During her husband’s tenure as head of state, the press and people of Nigeria backlashed her husband with several vile but she never uttered a word in response to critics’ of her husband as she concentrated on her pep project.

According to history the office of the First lady took its roots from the United States of America. Around 1849 under the leadership of President Zachary Taylor the twelfth President of the United States of America when referred to his wife Dolley Madison as the“First Lady” during her funeral oration.

It brings to mind the bungling notion for us to question the credibility of the role of the office of the First Lady in various countries in Africa, unfortunately, it has become a child’s play and a privilege to do as they want. History is the best teacher for everyone to learn and build on for posterity.

Late Mariam Babangida who died of Ovarian Cancer used the platform to establish a growing sense of unity amongst rural women, local council women and wives of state Governors in her country, she also used her position to lobby the government to implement prominent decisions regarding women issues at that time.

It is not a surprise to note that she carted several national and international awards, like the international recognition award.

After x-raying the role of this astute and intelligent African woman, I am bemused with the status and achievements of the roles of the First Ladies so far in Africa. And it brings to mind a sense of reality check on the roles of various First Ladies in my home country Sierra Leone from successive governments to date.

Leaving me with numerous questions such as, what are the overriding factors and achievements this office has brought to our nation so far from inception?. It is hard for me to place a finger on a clear cut achievement of their roles so far. However, there is room for a clear cut improvement for anyone willing to reach out to history.

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It is indeed something that should give us a mind bungling thoughts and concern on what should be done by every First Lady in Africa nay my dear country Sierra Leone. There is so much to learn from the Biography of Late Maryam Babaginda and her role as a First Lady.

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