Esther Oluremi Obasanjo also known as Mama Iyabo is a former Nigerian First Lady. She was previously married to President Olusegun Obasanjo.[1]
Esther Oluremi Obasanjo | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Nigeria | |
| In role 13 February 1976 – 1 October 1979 | |
| Head of State | Olusegun Obasanjo |
| Preceded by | Ajoke Muhammed |
| Succeeded by | Hadiza Shagari |
| Second Lady of Nigeria | |
| In role 29 July 1975 – 13 February 1976 | |
| Chief of Staff | Olusegun Obasanjo |
| First Lady | Ajoke Muhammed |
| Preceded by | Anne Wey |
| Succeeded by | Hajia Binta Yar'Adua |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Oluremi Akinlawon 1941 (age 82–83) |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5; including Iyabo Obasanjo |
Biography
editOluremi Akinlawon was the daughter of a station master and Mrs. Alice Akinlawon (nee Ogunlaja).[2] She met Olusegun Obasanjo in the Owu Baptist Church Choir when she was aged 14 and they courted for eight years.[3] They married on 22 June 1963 at Camberwell Green Registry, SE London, when she was 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
editIn 2008, Obasanjo published an autobiography titled Bitter-Sweet: My Life with Obasanjo, 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
edit- ^ a b c Okon-Ekong, Nseobong (2010-10-02). "Nigeria: First Ladies - Colourful Brilliance, Gaudy Rays". Thisday. AllAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. 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.
- ^ 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.