Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has looked back on his life and marriage, calling his late wife, Maryam Babangida, the cornerstone of both his personal and professional life.

He credited her unwavering support, intelligence, and vision for shaping both his career and her own transformative role as Nigeria’s First Lady.

IBB shared these reflections in his memoir, A Journey in Service, which was released to the public in Abuja. In the book, he detailed how his relationship with Maryam began before the Nigerian Civil War and evolved into a lifelong partnership that played a crucial role in his leadership and governance.

IBB’s journey with Maryam began long before his rise to power, tracing back to their early days in Bida, where they first met. However, it was after surviving a near-death experience during the Nigerian Civil War that he realized the need for stability and companionship.

“THE ARMY DID not issue me a wife, but it made clear that having one would assist in career advancement. A stable family is a criterion for judging officers. After my first close encounter with death in the Civil War, I prioritized establishing a stable family life.

“My relationship with Maryam, born Maria in Asaba on November 1, 1948, was connected to my youth in Bida. Garba Duba, my friend from secondary school, and I entered Course Six at the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) in Kaduna on December 10, 1962.

“The initiation at NMTC was harsh. Duba left after a few days, telling his father he wasn’t suited for army life. His father gathered us for a pep talk, which prepared us for our future as officers.

“I first met Maria at Duba’s house. Duba’s aunt, Asabe, was Maria’s mother. We shared digs in Kaduna, and I saw more of her. Duba was like a brother to her, which allowed me to spend time with Maria.

“Young military officers often had short-lived liaisons, myself included. Despite this, I was fond of Maria, and she grew fond of me. Our relationship felt predestined. At NMTC, I became more aware of her. We remained friends through my early army years, including training abroad.

“In April 1967, I left for a four-month course in the UK, but I was recalled in July due to political turmoil. By the time I returned, the nation was at war,” he wrote.

His near-fatal injury in 1969, during combat near Umuahia, forced him into deep reflection. Lying in a hospital bed, he resolved to build a stable family, and Maryam became the natural choice. He admired her reserved nature and upbringing, and despite his reputation as a ladies’ man, he was determined to convince her.

IBB stated, “Upon my return, I was posted to the war front and saw action. In April 1969, during our advance towards Umuahia, I was shot, and shrapnel lodged in my chest. I was evacuated to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). While convalescing, I reflected on my fortune in surviving and the future ahead. As the only male child, I was troubled that my death would end my family name.

“This was the first time I seriously considered finding a wife. At 28, it felt like time to settle down. The marriage of General Gowon to Victoria further focused my thoughts on marriage. Lying in bed, I recalled past relationships, often thinking of Maria Okogwu and her beauty.

“Maria’s father, Leonard Okogwu, worked in the Survey department and traveled widely. He married Hajiya Asabe Halima Mohammed from Kontagora. After his retirement, Maria and her siblings lived with their mother in Kaduna.

“Maria attended Queen Amina College and the Federal Training Centre in Kaduna. During the crisis before the Civil War, her uncle adopted her and her siblings, leading to the surname King on our marriage certificate.

“I had chosen Maria before leaving the hospital. After my discharge, I went to Kaduna to share my intentions. I admired her reserved nature and upbringing, and I was determined not to accept No. Fortune favored me, and I felt lucky.”

Maryam was initially skeptical of IBB’s sincerity, wary of his reputation. Despite this, he enlisted the support of her family, particularly her uncle, to win her over. He also assured her that he would remain faithful and avoid polygamy, a promise he upheld throughout their marriage.

IBB reminisced, “Initially, Maria was sceptical of me as marriage material due to my past. She doubted my seriousness, and others echoed her concerns. However, her family had no objections, and I enlisted help from Garba Duba’s father to strengthen my proposal.

“Once I showed my seriousness, Maria considered becoming Mrs. Babangida. I explained my faith and asked her to convert to Islam, which was not difficult for her given her background. She adapted easily to married life as a Muslim.

“In my proposal, I assured her I would not take multiple wives, understanding that avoiding polygamy would lead to a stable family life. I wanted a true partner, and she exceeded my expectations.

“After securing her promise, I returned to the war front, then we married on September 6, 1969, in Kaduna, following Islamic rites after her conversion.

“Many, including friends, doubted my ability to stay faithful, but I promised to uphold my marriage vows, which I did.

“After marriage, I was deployed to the Nigerian Defence Academy for two years, allowing us to settle as newlyweds. Maryam proved to be an excellent housewife, actively involved in my meals and our relationship. We handled disagreements independently and rarely quarreled.

“Maryam wanted to be more than a housewife; she recognized the importance of the home front in our mutual success. Throughout my career, she stood beside me.

“Observers may find it surprising that a focused woman could also be a devoted wife and mother. For me, her commitment to our family and country was the foundation of her success.”

As IBB’s career progressed, Maryam became more than just a supportive wife—she actively reshaped the role of First Lady. She led initiatives to improve the lives of military families and, later, Nigerian women at large, pioneering projects that elevated her to an iconic status in governance.

“After I became Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in 1983, Maryam began to show the country her remarkable qualities and clear vision. As President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), she was proactive, launching schools, clinics, women’s training centers, and child day-care centers to improve the lives of army officers’ families. Her activism as President of NAOWA inadvertently brought us into the limelight as a power couple,” the former military leader recalled.

Through the Better Life for Rural Women Programme, Maryam championed women’s empowerment, education, and economic development, leaving a legacy that outlived her. Her influence extended beyond Nigeria, inspiring other African First Ladies to take active roles in societal development.

IBB stated, “As I look back on those activities during my time as COAS, I see the seeds of Maryam’s activist interpretation of the first lady’s role. Evidence of Maryam as a go-getter came when I attended a military course in the United States. Maryam accompanied me and took a course at La Salle University in Chicago.

“During that time in the U.S., she showed particular interest in Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She read and inquired about her, clearly admiring her supportive role. I suspect she wanted to model herself on FDR’s wife, learning about the role of a supportive wife and wanting to work alongside me to help achieve my goals. Like Eleanor Roosevelt, the ‘pet project’ became a means of doing good. I appreciated her immeasurably for this.

“I admired her clarity of mind in knowing the extraordinary demands on senior military officers at that time. The Home Front was a concept she embraced. Maryam knew from the outset that I made and kept numerous friends. Since I became Chief of Army Staff, the traffic through our home increased, and she was charming and gracious to our guests.

“After my teaching assignment at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), I rose through the military hierarchy, primarily due to the excellently marshalled home front. Many of my assignments straddled military and government functions because the military was in power for an extended period.

“In 1985, after the coup that removed General Buhari, I served as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. Maryam and I were a team. Leading the government meant I had even less time for domestic duties. I was grateful to her for ensuring our children did not feel my absence too much.

“Maryam always left a place positively impacting it and those around her. Nowhere was this better demonstrated than during my time as head of state. It would not be hyperbole to describe her as Nigeria’s most effective First Lady. She reshaped the position as she conceived it.

“Let me clarify. There have been other worthy wives of Nigerian heads of state, each performing their role to the best of their ability. Our constitution does not recognize the role of a First Lady, so each occupant must define the role. Maryam took things to another level.

“She knew I intended to alter our nation’s evolution across various social and economic indices and saw an opportunity to positively affect the lives of women, specifically rural women. Her thinking aligned with our desire to transform the social ecosphere, so I had no difficulty allowing her the leeway she required.

“I would not have contemplated this were it not for my confidence in her. We shared our thoughts, and I was satisfied with her plans as they evolved. Her years as President of NAOWA presaged what lay ahead. Her clarity of thinking enabled her to reshape the role of First Lady in Nigeria and beyond, synchronizing the women’s agenda with our development agenda. She contributed to greater participation of women in society and government.

“I recognized that women were significantly underrepresented in national development, although rural women were a mainstay in agriculture. My contributions included appointing female state commissioners and Deputy Governors. This backdrop enabled Maryam to create her outstanding work for alleviating women’s poverty—the Better Life for Rural Women programme.

“Her approach was systematic. She gathered a team of like-minded women, many academics, and assessed the plight of rural women by traveling around the country. This culminated in a Women in Rural Development workshop in Abuja in 1987.

“Maryam and her team devised a clear plan. Key touch points included adult education, co-operatives, improved agricultural practices, food processing, preservation, marketing, and healthcare. As Chairperson of the Programme, she was supported by a National Organisation Committee, replicated at state and local levels.

“The extensive survey ensured a connection between the programme’s goals and what was required to achieve them. Mass participation was its mantra, which proved vital to its success.

“Many erroneously believed I made special funding provisions; I did no such thing. The programme’s worthiness ensured funding through self-help and voluntary donations. I gave Maryam a relatively free hand because I believed in her and the good she aimed to achieve.

“By 1991, four years after its commencement, rural women’s income-generating capacity improved as they embraced self-help. The emphasis on agricultural produce and rural arts and crafts brought appreciable benefits. Rural women were generating more income and contributing to better lives for their families.

“Maryam’s efforts dovetailed with ongoing government programmes in primary healthcare and family planning. Adult literacy campaigns ramped up, and a National Centre for Women’s Development was established in Abuja.

“The overall impact of the Better Life for Rural Women Programme was incredible. By its fourth anniversary, the Programme had registered 7,635 corporations, 997 cottage industries, 1,751 new farms, 487 Better Life shops, 419 women’s centres, and 163 social welfare programmes.

“Rather than merely being a First Lady’s pet project, the Programme mobilized rural women for self-development and political participation.

“Maryam championed the plight and welfare of children everywhere, and her efforts did not go unnoticed. In 1991, the US-based Hunger Project recognized her contributions.”

IBB credits Maryam’s strength, devotion, and intelligence for making him a better leader and a better man. Even after her passing in 2009, he admits that his life remains divided into two—before and after Maryam.

“I never imagined Maryam would pass before me, but life is in Allah’s hands. My life is divided into before and after December 2009 (when she was here & since she’s been gone).

“I’m often asked why I fully supported the Better Life for Rural Women Programme. The answer is simple: Maryam and her team researched thoroughly and followed the evidence. It aligned with our socio-economic goals. She ran a tight ship at home—strict and disciplined—so I knew she’d approach this with the same dedication.

“She was resourceful and worked hard to establish an office for the First Lady, converting the old squash court at Dodan Barracks. My Political Adviser, Dr. Tunji Olagunju, assisted with logistics.

“Maryam was confident, intentional, and comfortable with people. She had native intelligence and made the most of every day as a wife, mother, advocate, and partner. We shielded our children from public scrutiny and decided together what was best for them.

“I’m grateful for our life together and our children. Coping without her is hard, but her memories and lasting impact make it easier,” IBB concluded

Hafsat Abiola-Costello, daughter of the late Chief MKO Abiola, has asserted that former military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s acknowledgment of her father’s victory in the June 12, 1993, presidential election does not undo the pain and injustice endured by her family and the Nigerian people.

Former Nigerian military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Babangida had, for the first time, expressed deep regret over the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.

Speaking at the launch of his autobiography, "A Journey in Service" in Abuja on Thursday, the 83-year-old former leader acknowledged the turmoil caused by the decision, which derailed Nigeria’s transition to democracy.

The election, held on June 12, 1993, was meant to end a decade of military rule.

However, the Babangida government annulled the results, triggering nationwide protests and political instability.

The widely acclaimed winner, Chief MKO Abiola, was later imprisoned, and his wife, Kudirat Abiola, was assassinated during the struggle for democracy.

However, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, in a statement on Friday, noted that whenever June 12 is mentioned, she thinks of her parents, MKO and Kudirat Abiola, who both played key roles in the struggle for democracy.

She emphasized that the significance of the date goes beyond her family, as it represents the collective hope of Nigerians for a better and more united country.

The statement reads, “When anyone mentions June 12, my mind always goes to MKO and Kudi. But June 12’s staying power was because the vote that Nigerians expressed that day was a vote for a better future and for unity.

“MKO may have been the symbol of the Hope ‘93 campaign but June 12 was about more than one man, it was about the promise of Nigeria that would deliver for Nigerians.

“For those that kept expressing doubt that Nigerians had spoken so decisively on that day, I’m glad that General IBB’s admission that MKO won the election can now lay the matter to rest.

“It’s sad that such a galvanising statement as the breakthrough vote for MKO should have been truncated by an unjust annulment. But I will be forever grateful to both MKO and Kudi for not allowing their fears for their personal safety to stand in the way of the people’s desire for a better Nigeria. May such commitment endure.”

Operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit of the Ogun State Police Command, on Thursday, foiled a kidnapped attempt along the Warewa axis of the long bridge on the Lagos -Ibadan highway.

The incident, according to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Omolola Odutola, happened at about 20:30 hours, as the operatives responded swiftly to a distress call by members of the public.

The statement revealed that a white paragon commercial vehicle marked BDG 735 YH, driven by one Morufu Adedeji inwards Lagos, was ambushed by armed men on a section of the road.

The suspected kidnappers were reported to have wielded dangerous weapons at the passengers of the vehicle and halted its movement further.

The driver of the vehicle was said to have made a way for some passengers to escape by opening a rear door, a development that enraged the kidnappers.

They were reported to have pounced on the driver aggressively and dispossessed their victims of their belongings. 

The alarm raised by some motorists made the anti-kidnapping patrol team to engage the hoodlums, leaving four dead, while others escaped with bullet injuries.

Items recovered from the scene were one locally made pistol with two cartridges; two daggers; ca ash sum of N20,000; one techno android phone; one solar power Bank and three USB lights(suspected to be stolen property).

The bodies of the neutralized kidnappers have been deposited at the State Hospital Morgue, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, for autopsy and further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ridding the area of criminal activities, and further strengthening security in that area he has reinforced tactical operatives to remain stationed at strategic flashpoints, in Arepo and heightened routine patrols to ensure the security of residents and commuters.

The Command urged members of the public, especially medical practitioners, to report any individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds. Citizens are also advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station

Ether 

 price has slipped by over 5% within the last 24 hours toward $2,700 on Feb. 22.

Key catalysts driving ETH price lower today include:

• A Bybit hack involving over $1 billion in ETH.

• Growing rumors that the Ethereum Foundation may roll back the chain.

• A prevailing bearish continuation setup.

Bybit hack pushes Ether’s price down

A major contributing factor behind Ether’s declines today is the $1.5 billion exploit of cryptocurrency exchange Bybit.

As it happened:

• On Feb. 21, Hackers compromised one of Bybit’s Ethereum cold wallets, which are typically secure due to offline storage.

• Stolen assets included over 401,000 ETH and large amounts of staked ETH tokens (stETH, mETH, cmETH).

• Investigators, including ZachXBT, linked the attack to Lazarus Group through onchain transaction tracing and test transactions conducted before the exploit.

• Analyst “andxt” suggests that the North Korean group will eventually sell the stolen ETH.

• Bybit CEO Ben Zhou assured customers that the exchange remains solvent, with all client assets backed 1:1.

• Bybit secured a bridge loan covering 80% of the stolen funds to ensure withdrawals continue.

Ethereum Foundation in a pickle after Bybit hack

Voices are growing inside the crypto industry discussing Ethereum Foundation’s potential to “roll back” their blockchain to undo the effects of the Bybit hack.

Some of the leading crypto influencers teasing a “hard fork” include:

• Analyst Matthew R. Kratter claims the Ethereum Foundation should be “held responsible for aiding and abetting global terrorism” if they don’t hard fork to defund Lazarus Group.

• Arthur Hayes (BitMEX co-founder) publicly asked Vitalik Buterin if he would roll back the blockchain to help Bybit recover stolen funds.

• Will Reeves (Fold App CEO) argues Ethereum’s ability to reverse transactions is a “critical feature” to maintain faith in the ecosystem.

• This echoes the 2016 DAO hack, where Ethereum split into ETH and ETC after a rollback decision.

The Ethereum Foundation and Vitalik Buterin have not addressed these requests, even though some rumors suggest a potential community vote on a hard fork decision.

Related: Ethereum Foundation wants a social media guru to help it ‘yap better’

• A 2016-like rollback would undermine Ethereum’s credibility and may set a concerning precedent for future hacks.

• Uncertainties like these can cause market panic, leading to price declines such as the one witnessed in the last 24 hours.

Ethereum could drop another 28%

Ether’s price drop today appears after failing to break decisively above what appears to be a bear pennant pattern.

Key points:

• A bear pennant consists of a sharp decline (flagpole) followed by sideways consolidation within converging trendlines.

• If the pattern plays out, the expected target is derived by measuring the height of the flagpole and projecting it downward.

• This calculation places a potential ETH price target near $1,953, suggesting a 28% drop by March if the breakdown is confirmed.

• The price rejection at the upper boundary suggests ETH sellers remain in control, increasing downside risk.

• The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 48.06 suggests neutral-to-bearish momentum, with room for further downside if it drops below 40.

[cointelegraph]