Esther Oluremi Obasanjo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Esther Oluremi Obasanjo
First Lady of Nigeria
In office
1976–1979
Preceded byAjoke Muhammed
Succeeded byHadiza Shagari
Personal details
Born
Oluremi Akinlawon
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1963; div. 1976)​
Children5; Iyabo Obasanjo

Esther Oluremi Obasanjo also known as Mama Iyabo is a former Nigerian First Lady. She was previously married to President Olusegun Obasanjo.[1]

Biography[]

Oluremi Obasanjo was the daughter of a polygamist station master and Mrs. Alice Akinlawon (nee Ogunlaja).[2] She met Olusegun Obasanjo in the Owu Baptist Church Choir aged 14 and they 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[]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Adebayo, Adeolu (2017-10-22). Olusegun Obasanjo: Nigeria's Most successful ruler. Safari Books Ltd. ISBN 978-978-54785-2-5.
  3. ^ 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)
  4. ^ a b c Iliffe, John (2011). Obasanjo, Nigeria and the World. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84701-027-8.
  5. ^ "First Ladies of style". Punch Newspapers. 2017-10-01. Retrieved 2021-08-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)


Honorary titles
Preceded by First Lady of Nigeria
1976 – 29 July 1979 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""