It is not surprising that the death of Maryam Ibrahim Babangida evoked deep grief and feelings of profound loss across the country.  However, it is remarkable that tributes to her by Nigerians from diverse backgrounds had common strands; she was a virtuous woman, a supportive wife, an exemplary mother, a role model and a visionary leader. Evidently, her purposeful life touched and inspired Nigerians. As we mourn her, it is appropriate to reflect upon the significance of her contributions and to draw from the lessons learned from her exemplary leadership.

Understandably, commentaries about Maryam as First Lady shall continue to highlight her flagship initiative which is Better Life for Rural Women Programme. Yet, her efforts extended well beyond a singular focus on rural women. Although rural women were her focal point, Nigerian women, as her primary constituency, benefitted from her contributions.

Every Nigerian administration makes concerted efforts to address the low status of women and girls in our society. Yet, despite ratifying several international conventions to address gender inequalities, governments’ responses are generally slow and hesitant. But the Babangida administration was exceptional in this regard because it substantially expanded political, social and economic opportunities for Nigerian women. There is a consensus that women development was a major hallmark of IBB era.

What is the evidence?  A few examples shall suffice. First, there was the quantum leap in the number of women appointed into key public institutions at all levels. For example, political reforms by Babangida administration mandated the appointment of at least one woman into local government, state and federal executive councils and the governing boards of institutions. The impact of this public policy, which is now the norm, was phenomenal. Secondly, this measure provided leadership training opportunities for women in male dominated domains. This was the era of ground-breaking appointments of Professor Grace Alele Williams as first woman vice chancellor of a Nigerian university, the late Maria Sokenu as managing director of Peoples Bank and Bola Kuforiji-Olubi as chair of the board of a major bank and many women, including this writer, as chairmen of local government councils.  Thirdly, national development was boosted by women focused initiatives in education, health, and agriculture and micro- credit. Last, but by no means the least, the National Commission for Women, State Commissions for Women, local government women development units were all established at this time.

The fact that Babangida administration resolutely focused on women was not accidental.  On the contrary, there were deliberate policy shifts that positioned women as centerpiece for development. Clearly, unbending advocacy by Maryam was the catalyst. She was the proverbial right person, in the right place, at the right time.

  Are we saying that Maryam and IBB administration, solely, emancipated Nigerian women? Far from it. Socio-economic indices still show that the low status of women remains largely unresolved. Nevertheless, the synergy between Maryam initiatives and government policy at the time changed attitudes, raised the tone of national conversation about the status of women and generated confidence in the potentials of women across board. Certainly, the strategic approaches of DFFRI and Better Life Program remain the gold standard for sustainable people-centered development.

 How did Maryam do it?  I worked with her at close range for over two decades and observed three critical ingredients of her phenomenal success. These were; her personality, a subtle style and a rare gift for strategic planning. These attributes shall be briefly outlined with anecdotes to illuminate her legendary leadership.

·        Personality.

Maryam Babangida was deeply conscious of her broad background and built relationships across the divides of our country. With Maryam, no Nigerian, regardless of origin or religion was considered an outsider. She instinctively forged bridges. To illustrate this, she maintained a comprehensive database on Nigerians from all parts of the country. Behind the scenes, she led Nigerian women without ethnic acrimony, constantly emphasizing our shared values.  

  Maryam pursued excellence and was adept at blending ideas.  For example, as part of Better Life for Rural Women Program, she promoted dialogue between PRODA engineers, professors and rural women on the merits and demerits of palm oil extraction equipment.  Another example readily comes to mind. As part of Better Life for Rural Women Program exhibition in Abuja, some rural women were checked into NICON- Hilton. Against the background of negative media, Maryam was more concerned about the comfort of rural women. Scouts reported that the women roamed Hilton hotel corridors and barely slept in the luxurious rooms. She assembled a small focus group to discuss the report. The dominant view was that rural women were unaccustomed to luxurious settings. Maryam differed and argued that rural women would sleep in luxurious rooms without the extreme cold from air-conditioners.  She was right; room temperatures were adjusted and rural women slept soundly in Hilton hotel rooms!  Behind the famed elegance and graceful façade, the real Maryam had the common touch, was down to earth, sensitive, and considerate and compassionate. Yet behind the soft manner, she was extremely disciplined and had very high performance standards. She drove those who worked with her hard but, invariably, drove herself the hardest.

·        Strategic Planner.

 Despite a singular focus on rural women Maryam was determined to improve the status of all Nigerian women. The Better Life program aligned with the larger rural development objectives of IBB administration through DFRRI. For the most part, she used the Better Life platform to generate positive public dialogue about the status of women generally.

She was a gifted strategist and skilful manager. The National Women Center attests her exceptional organizational skills. As such, any doubt or debate about the appropriate name for that national landmark seems inane. She conceptualized the project, she mobilized resources for it and she coordinated its design, construction and commisssioning.  With this project, as with all her endeavors, no detail escaped her attention as she strove for perfection.

 Long after her first lady role ended, she remained a passionate advocate for women in Africa.   For example, with the upsurge in HIV/AIDS and worsening maternal mortality, Maryam searched for answers and took an advanced diploma course in “Reproductive Health Advances” at the renowned John Hopkins University, Baltimore in 2004.  It is a fact that her commitment to women and the less privileged predated and outlasted the first lady position. She remained engaged to the very end despite her struggle with illness.

·        Subtle Style.

Maryam advocated for women at every opportunity. At all times, her message was non- confrontational and culturally sensitive. Within national, regional and international arena she moved audiences at United Nations, European Parliament and African Union as well as grassroots leaders. At every point, her demeanor matched her message. For example, she excluded words such as “liberation”, “equality” and “struggle” from articulation of women issues because she believed that men and traditional institutions must not be alienated. That was the quintessential Maryam. Unfortunately, the lessons learned from her subtle and inclusive approach are often ignored by many latter day first ladies and women activists to the detriment of women.

 Debate about the legacy of Maryam Babangida raged while she was First Lady and shall continue interminably. In the final analysis, her legacy embeds tangible and symbolic threads.  Her tangible achievements include, but are not limited to, unprecedented mobilization of women, thousands of rural cooperatives and agro- allied enterprises and the upgrade and strategic marketing of Nigerian products for export. Also, it includes the establishment of National and State Commissions for Women, which due her foresight transformed into Ministry for Women Affairs. The National Women Centre bears her distinct signature. Furthermore, the inclusion of women in public sector appointments, which is now standard political practice, was the result of her advocacy.   The last, and perhaps the most significant, is the emergence of a new generation of women political actors. Many were initiated into leadership through Better Life Program or by appointments during the Babangida era.  These women testify to her influence and continue to draw inspiration from her selfless leadership.

Her tangible achievements, though substantial, are dwarfed by her symbolic legacy which reached every nook and corner of our national consciousness.  As such, they are timeless and more enduring. The totality of her bequest is the empowerment of Nigerian women. Because of Maryam, twentieth century Nigerian women, whether rural or urban, trader or professor found their voices as bona fide citizens. Maryam influenced Nigerian women to believe that the equation of national development is unbalanced without their contributions. As a result, women participation in national development increased with the expansion of democratic space. This is Maryam Babangida's greatest gift to our country.

Maryam contributed a large body of knowledge, resources and data about women and rural communities. Fortunately, she was a meticulous record keeper. As such, as a tribute to this iconic woman these resources,  lessons learned and best practices in rural and women development  should be documented, disseminated, utilized and preserved. Indeed, her vision is best realized through the establishment of Maryam Babangida Institutes for Women and Rural Studies in six federal universities, one in each geo- political zone, for research and public service training.

 On a final note, Maryam Ibrahim Babaginda diligently preserved the home front. Beyond that, she stepped out of the comfort zone of her home and position and served selflessly. In the end, she made Nigeria a better place and earned a rightful place among Nigeria’s great leaders.

  Dr Enyantu Ifenne was Local Government Council Chairman, Commissioner in Benue State, first Director- General Women Affairs in Presidency and  first Executive Secretary of National  Commission for Women.