Esther Oluremi Obasanjo
Esther Oluremi Obasanjo | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Nigeria | |
| In office 1976–1979 | |
| Preceded by | Ajoke Muhammed |
| Succeeded by | Safinatu Buhari |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Oluremi Akinlawon |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5; Iyabo Obasanjo |
Esther Oluremi Obasanjo also known as Mama Iyabo is a former Nigerian First Lady. She was married to President Olusegun Obasanjo.[1]
Biography
Oluremi Obasanjo was the daughter of a polygamist station master Mrs. Alice Akinlawon (nee Ogunlaja).[2] She met Olusegun Obasanjo in the Owu Baptist Church Choir aged 14 and courted for 8 years.[3] They married on 22 June 1963 at Canberwell Green Registry, SE London when she was aged 21 without the knowledge of their families.[1][4] She obtained training in institutional management in London.[4]
She assumed the role of First Lady in February, 1976 following a coup that resulted in the death of Murtala Muhammed.[1] She was not often seen at public engagements like Victoria Gowon because Murtala Muhammed decided that it was inappropriate for the spouses of military leaders to be in the public eye.[4]
Works
In 2008, Obasanjo published an autobiography titled Bitter-Sweet: My Life with Obasanjo in which chronicled her life experiences with Olusegun Obasanjo portraying him as a violent womaniser.[3]
Her style is described as "elegant in a subtle manner" as she was often dressed in traditional outfits.[5]
References
- ^ a b c Okon-Ekong, Nseobong (2010-10-02). "Nigeria: First Ladies - Colourful Brilliance, Gaudy Rays". Thisday. AllAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-27. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
- ^ Adebayo, Adeolu (2017-10-22). Olusegun Obasanjo: Nigeria's Most successful ruler. Safari Books Ltd. ISBN 978-978-54785-2-5.
- ^ a b Howden, Daniel (2009-01-10). "Revealed: The Secrets of an African first lady". The Independent. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c Iliffe, John (2011). Obasanjo, Nigeria and the World. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84701-027-8.
- ^ "First Ladies of style". Punch Newspapers. 2017-10-01. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
