The grace and charm of Erelu Aisha Babangida
March 16, 2018
There is so much that astounds about Erelu Aisha Babangida; its hardly the fact that she is daughter to General Ibrahim Babangida, former military Head of state. Aisha manages to astound simply by being her own woman . She is a grateful ornament to the aristocratic order; much like the Nigerian equivalent of polished society. On another note, some have likened her humanity to heartfelt socio-political statements in myriads of tenor, an undeniable testament of care and conscientiousness . Whatever you think of her, there is something inspiring about Aisha Babangida.
From a young age every woman is taught the necessary culinary skills to become the mistress of the kitchen, yet far too few are blessed with the dexterity to cook up a cuisine of delicious vocal performance on the public stage. Among this select group of womenfolk stands Erelu Aisha Babangida. She is that rarest of combinations: a woman who combines brilliance of mind with virtuosity of voice.
During her formative years, the teachings of her late mother and former first lady Maryam was the honey which she lapped up with insatiable gusto. After that came the wisdom of the sages and the experiences of women everywhere, all of which she soaked in, then distilled into her core beliefs. Since settling on a life ambition of empowering women, the brains behind the current incarnation of the Better Life Programme for Women and Children has not looked back.
Few days ago, she was the guest of the United Nations during its International Women’s Day programme in Abuja. Not only did her speech leave the audience spellbound, it also awoke in some of those present a desire to climb down from the fence and fight in women’s corner against discriminatory social traditions.
The event tagged “Abuja Conversation” featured a roll call of the Who’s Who in female activism. Yet amidst the heavyweight names with towering profiles, Erelu Aisha Babangida was in a class of her own, a walking legend casting a dominating shadow on the scene. She was all smiles and infectious enthusiasm ans she confidently sauntered to and from the podium
