Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has described the late wife of the first civilian governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo, as a woman who rendered selfless and dedicated service as a teacher in the public service.
Obasanjo said the quality of her contribution could be judged by the large number of her students who have excelled in their respective careers over the years.
The former president stated this in a condolence letter made available to journalists on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
According to the letter, the Onabanjo matriarch was a role model and exemplar whose personal life and achievements inspired a generation of young people.
The letter reads: “She took pleasure in mentoring younger men and women to succeed in life.
“She gave selfless and dedicated service as a teacher in the public service, and the quality of her contribution can be judged from the large number of her students who have done well in their respective careers over the years.”
Obasanjo noted that “Mama” was a role model and exemplar whose personal life and achievements inspired a generation of young people, adding that she took pleasure in mentoring younger men and women to succeed in life.
“Indeed, generations of students, their parents and guardians will remain forever grateful to her for her show of love and care. To live in such hearts, as your matriarch did, is surely a form of immortality.”
Obasanjo further described her as a redoubtable champion and defender of women’s rights, saying she was a source of blessing and tremendous inspiration to many generations of Nigerian women who came in contact with her.
“Throughout her life, she displayed a constant love for Nigerian women, worked for their progress, and touched the lives of people positively.
“No wonder she held the role of ‘Iya Ijo’ (Women Leader) of St Sebastian Catholic Cathedral, Ijebu-Ode, her parish church, until her death,” he said.
The former president further emphasised that the former First Lady gave her best in supporting her late husband, Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, during his tenure as the first civilian governor of Ogun State between 1979 and 1983.
“Her memory will remain evergreen in Ogun State and beyond for performing her duties as a teacher and First Lady with integrity and quiet efficiency, as well as with generous disposition, magnanimity and unstinted love for the people.
“She indeed enjoyed a good reputation and the goodwill of millions of her compatriots,” the letter added.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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