The legacy of Maryam Babangida, late wife of former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, was revived in Minna yesterday, as her youngest daughter, Halima, launched the Halymah Ibrahim Babangida Foundation, a non-governmental organization aimed at empowering widows, students, and the less privileged.

The event honouring Maryam Babangida’s memory drew a large and diverse crowd to the El-Amin University auditorium in Minna, including widows, students, and underprivileged individuals seeking empowerment, scholarships, or entrepreneurial support.

In her remarks, the First Lady of the State, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago, commended Halima for her initiative.

Bago said the event reminded her about the “enduring legacy of one of Niger State’s finest daughters. Dr. Maryam Babangida was not just a mother to her children, she was a mother to the entire nation, a visionary who worked tirelessly to uplift rural women and families.”

Represented by Hajia Hadiza Maikano, the First Lady said it was befitting that it is her daughter who is now “continuing her mother’s journey of compassion and empowerment,” adding that she had “chosen education as her platform, ensuring that young boys and girls, especially those with limited opportunities, can dream big and achieve even more”.

The First Lady stated further that the foundation’s scholarship programme complements the initiatives of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s administration aimed at providing quality education and reducing barriers, particularly for the most vulnerable in the state.

In her speech, Halima said her late mother was the inspiration for the project and she decided to launch it to commemorate the 15th year of her passing.

“I remember vividly how my mother would sit with rural women, teaching them to read, showing them that knowledge was their greatest asset.

“As we launch the Halimah Ibrahim Babangida Foundation on this 15th anniversary of her passing, we honour her legacy not just with words, but with decisive action,” she stated.

She revealed that the foundation launched three groundbreaking initiatives to empower 300 widows and young entrepreneurs, fund WAEC and JAMB for 4,000 students, and the establishment of a comprehensive bursary programme for 500 undergraduates.