The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Obi Chike Edozien, has described the late Mariam Babangida legacies of Women Empowerment and Girl Child Development as worth emulating.

The monarch made the remark in Asaba, the state capital, during the 2023 anniversary of the Mariam Babangida Day, celebrated locally in November, to highlight her exemplary contributions to women development in Nigeria and globally.

Reports maintained that seventy-six trees signifying the number of years from her birthday, were planted to commemorate the day.

Globally, people identify and revere one of their own and call them idols. Likewise, for many in Delta State, their quintessential being was the late Mariam Babangida, wife of former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida.

Indeed, some of the best landmarks in Asaba today are named after her including the strategic Mariam Babangida Road, the Mariam Babangida Specialist Hospital, the Mariam Babangida Local Government Secretariat, and others.

Even the Asagba of Asaba Obi Chike Edozien, had pronounced her birthday of Nov 1, as a day of celebration to cherish the memory of the national icon.

The Asagba, in an address at the 2023 anniversary read by the Iyasere Patrick Onyeobi, described her Better Life for Rural Women program, whilst as First Lady and her Girl Child Development Initiatives as remarkable.

Asagba remarked “The programme helped women to develop attitudes and values which are useful to sustain and promote self-reliance for national development.”

The chairman of the Anniversary Committee who is also a member of the State House of Assembly, Bridget Anyafulu, noted, Mariam Babangida was a complete African woman.

Hon. Anyafulu observed “The woman has the capacity to confront any challenge that will protect the family unit. So, what she did was making sure of the empowerment of women; building the capacity of women to manage homes, to manage societies.”

Some residents of Asaba also commented on the legacies of the former First Lady of Nigeria.

One of them said “A daughter that goes to marry a king and brings the treasure home. So, we thank God for this lovely sister of ours. Mariam Babangida was our dear sister.”

Events to commemorate the 2023 edition include tree planting to fight climate change and an exhibition by women entrepreneurs among activities representing the legacies of the late Mariam Babangida.