Former military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has opened up about his marriage to his late wife, Maryam Babangida, detailing their love story, struggles, and lifelong commitment in his newly released autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service’.
The book, which was launched on Thursday, also featured a fundraiser for Babangida’s presidential library.
The Next Edition noted that Babangida narrated that he first met Maryam, formerly Maria Okogwu, in their younger years while living in the unmarried officers’ quarters on Kanta Road, Kaduna.
According to him, he was immediately drawn to her striking beauty and radiant personality, which left a lasting impression.
“She was stunning. Her ebony beauty set off enchanting eyes, and her dazzling smile showed off a lovely set of teeth. When she smiled – and she often smiled – her face lit up, and her eyes danced,” he wrote.
He added that their friendship remained strong despite his frequent military training stints abroad in India and the United Kingdom.
Babangida recounted how his close friend and cousin, Garba Duba, played a crucial role in bringing them together, as he often visited her at Duba’s family home.
He wrote, “Duba’s father was fond of me, so I was mindful that my bonds with the family meant that I had to be more cautious than usual, a factor that synced with my natural shyness. But Maria and I remained close, even as I travelled for military training abroad.”
A Near-Death Experience Sparked His Marriage Decision
The former head of state revealed that a near-death experience at age 28 changed his perspective on life and pushed him to settle down.
After being shot in battle, he was left with a piece of shrapnel lodged in his chest, leading to an extended stay at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Idi-Araba, Lagos.
During this time, he began contemplating marriage, believing it was time to start a family and secure his legacy.
“This was the first time I recall seriously thinking it was time to find a wife as a life partner. I was 28, and it seemed to me that it was time to settle down,” Babangida wrote.
