Turai Yar'Adua
| Turai Yar'Adua | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Nigeria | |
| In office 29 May 2007 – 5 May 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Stella Obasanjo |
| Succeeded by | Patience Jonathan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 1957 Katsina area, Nigeria |
| Spouse(s) | Umaru Yar'Adua (deceased) |
| Children | five daughters and two sons |
| Alma mater | Ahmadu Bello University |
Hajiya Turai Umar Musa iar'Adua (born July 1957)[1] is the widow of former Nigerian President and former Katsina State Governor Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. She served as the First Lady of Nigeria from 2007 until the death of her husband, President Yar'Adua, on May 5, 2010.
Contents |
[edit] Education
Turai Yar'Adua was born in the Katsina metropolitan area of northern Nigeria in July 1957.[1] She attended Government Girls Secondary School in Kankiya during her early life.[1]
Turai Yar'Adua attended Garama Primary School in Katsina and Government Secondary School in Kankia, both in Katsina State. She later enrolled at Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State, where she was reportedly named "best student" in 1980.[1] In 1983, Yar'Adua received a bachelor's degree in Language from Ahmadu Bello University.[1][2]
[edit] Marriage
Turai married Umaru Yar'Adua in 1975,[1] and they have five daughters and two sons.[1][2] One of their daughters, Zainab, is married to Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari, Governor of Kebbi State.[3]
In September 2007, Turai was the guest of honor at the commissioning of the Mobility Aid and Braille Centre in Akure, Ondo State. The centre was built by the Handicapped Education Foundation (HANDEF), a non-governmental organization founded by Olufunke Agagu, then First Lady of Ondo State. Also in attendance at the event were the Vice President's wife, Patience Jonathan, and the wives of multiple other state governors.[4]
She was rumored to be one of her husband's closest advisors during his tenure as President of Nigeria.[1] For example, Yar'Adua is believed to have influenced the choice of Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, the former Director-General of the National Action Committee on AIDS, as Nigeria's Minister of Health during her husband's administration.[1]
[edit] Corruption Allegations
Wikileaks revealed several cables alleging corruption, though the cables stated the people demanding bribes "may simply have been attempting to exploit the First Lady's name for personal enrichment". Cases involved residential construction ($2 million demanded), and during her husband's governorship, she "siphoned off millions in public funds for private use".[5][6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Gabriel, Chioma (2010-01-15). "Turai Yar'Adua - a Silent But Influential First Lady". Vanguard Media (AllArfica.com). http://allafrica.com/stories/201001150880.html. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ^ a b Iliya, Christy. "Hajiya Turai: What Manner Of First Lady?". Leadership online (Leadership Newspapers Group). http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/product_info.php?%20products_id=7136. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ Birnin, Saka Ibrahim (2007-07-16). "'Yar’Adua’s Daughter's Wedding Won't Affect Guber Case'". Thisday (Leaders & Company). http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=83775. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ Johnson, Dayo (2007-09-07). "First Lady rallies support for physically challenged persons". Vanguard (Vanguard Media). Archived from the original on 2007-09-17. http://web.archive.org/web/20070917155310/http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/southwest/sw107092007.html. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ Wikileaks Cable Details Turai Yar'adua's Corruption And Links With Smuggling Syndicate Led By Alhaji Dahiru Mangal
- ^ Yar’adua’s closest friend, Dahiru Mangal, and wife, Turai, are Nigeria’s biggest smugglers – say Customs sources
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Stella Obasanjo |
First Lady of Nigeria May 29, 2007 – May 5, 2010 |
Succeeded by Patience Faka Jonathan |
