Posted by By COSMAS OMEGOH, Minna on
Whoever was in doubt that former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, is desirous of running for the presidency in 2007 can now rest assured that the gap-toothed General is indeed in the race.
Whoever was in doubt that former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, is desirous of running for the presidency in 2007 can now rest assured that the gap-toothed General is indeed in the race.
This confirmation is coming from none other than his wife ,Mariam Babangida who brought so much colour and prominence to the First Lady concept with her activities during Babangida's eight-year reign as head of state.
Mrs. Babangida who spoke to Saturday Sun in Minna, the Niger State capital last weekend made what seemed a tacit confirmation of the 2007 ambition which her husband, IBB, had hitherto skirted around - preferring to make innuendoes, allusions and generalized statements.
'Yes, it would be beautiful to return to Aso Rock once again", Mrs. Babangida said, adding: 'It is true my husband IBB is desiring to return, this time as a civilian president. That would be great if it happens."
Mrs. Babangida who brought so much glitz and glamour to the office of the First Lady with her Better Life for Rural Women programme (later rechristened Better Life Programme [BLP]) expressed her preparedness to return to the limelight if her husband wins. 'If God wills it, so be it. I would be happy to be back there again", she said.
El-Amin
Ever since she left office, Mrs. Babangida has devoted her energies to running her upscale private schools, El Amin International School (Primary and Secondary). She told Saturday Sun that her desire to provide the missing link in society fuelled the setting up of the schools. She said: 'I am trying to provide a missing link which I see around me. In a sense, yes".
What happened to Better Life?
She says it is not true that the Better Life Programmme died with her leaving office. 'Better life is on course and waxing strong. I am doing my best to meet and mix with rural women whom the programme was designed to benefit. Together we see what impact we can make. We are still striving, to ensure that the good programme lives on", she says.
She however said that 'for now, the education of the kids is very important, and that is why it is receiving greater priority. All that is why I set up the El Amin International School".
How she co-ordinates all these?
'I try my best. I programme myself very well. I try to organise my activities. I know what I want to do, so I try to see how to co-ordinate well. It is just natural, if you are a good planner or a good organiser you should be able to know how to organise yourself".
Ageless Mariam Babangida
Despite all the talk about her failing health, cancer and all, Mrs. Babangida who recently became a grandmother remains her ever beautiful self. Prodded further to reveal the secret of her good looks, a blushy former First Lady said: 'I have a beautiful heart. Yes I have a heart as beautiful as gold. God has given me a beautiful, heart, that is what you see radiating out of me".