By Bala Ibrahim
As the world commiserates with the Roman Catholic Church on the demise of Pope Francis, who died today at the age of 88, the need arises for us to revisit our conscience by reflecting on the kindness of God. Nature is kind—very kind indeed—and it has demonstrated this benevolence in many ways, including the creation of queens with quick wit and quintessential qualities. Also, in God’s limitless love for humanity, He has endowed some people with a unique combination of attributes that include color, character, and form—gifts that evoke a pleasing sense of beauty. You may call it beauty—a beauty that radiates outwardly to the admiration of all, including even those who may not necessarily believe in God.
Internally, God grants some the gift of compassion, concern, and care for others in ways that align with a commendable code of conduct. You may call it spiritual beauty, which essentially reflects an internal radiance and character that transcend physical appearance. Inner beauty signifies a deep connection with virtue, inner goodness, and divine dedication. Such a mixture of inner and outer beauty is rare and immeasurable to us as mortals. It touches on an individual’s capacity for emotion and empathy, as well as their ability to give and receive joy and kindness.
People fortunate to possess such qualities often delight in alleviating the suffering of others. I make bold to say that nature has been especially kind to Hajiya Maryam Abacha—making her both a mother and a motherlode, with internal and external beauty that shine again and again.
According to Helen of Troy, renowned as the most beautiful woman in Greek mythology, “The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart.” This is true, for beauty—especially inner beauty—encapsulates the idea that kindness, compassion, and integrity are far more enduring and valuable than outward appearance. These qualities, which Mother Maryam has in abundance, underscore the power of inner strength and grace as sources of enduring attractiveness and influence to improve the lives of others. Yes, outer beauty attracts, but inner beauty captivates. Outer beauty pleases the eye; inner beauty captivates the heart.
Mother Maryam’s inner beauty has been the driving force behind her passionate commitment to selfless service. She is always in a hurry to help.
Her legacy cannot be written without referencing the role she played in the development of *Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa* (a northern women’s NGO), which led, among other projects, to the establishment of an orphanage and nursery school in Kaduna in 1973. Likewise, Maryam Abacha, along with the wives of other senior military officers, helped reactivate the moribund Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), eventually serving as its 12th national president from 1985 to 1990.
As First Lady, during the tenure of her husband, the late General Sani Abacha, Maryam Abacha initiated the Family Support Programme (FSP), which centered on the family as the nucleus of social growth and development. The programme addressed areas such as health, education, agriculture, income generation, disability, and destitution. She prioritized public enlightenment and spurred government interest in these areas through sponsorship of seminars and workshops covering topics such as HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, disability, destitution and street begging, culture, and the role of traditional music in societal development.
Building on these successes, First Lady Maryam persuaded the Federal Government to establish the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in January 1995. The ministry became the focal point for addressing development issues affecting women and children in Nigeria. In this context, she led the Nigerian delegation to the 5th African Regional Conference on Women in Dakar (1994) and to the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, China (1995). At the Beijing conference, Mother Maryam Abacha was appointed one of the vice presidents by the UN. Following her appeal for global peace at the event, she was also appointed leader of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission Committee by the African First Ladies Committee on Peace.
In line with Nigeria’s Vision 2020 development goals, and as part of her renewed efforts to improve the quality of life for Nigerian families, Maryam Abacha launched the socio-economic wing of the FSP, known as the Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP), on March 3, 1997. The programme aimed to empower families as local producers of goods and services and potential entrepreneurs, especially in cottage industries.
Maryam Abacha founded the National Hospital Abuja (originally known as the National Hospital for Women and Children) and established the African First Ladies Peace Mission. In recognition of her consistent and dedicated humanitarian service, she received numerous merit awards from organizations both locally and internationally.
Mother Maryam resides in Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. Besides being regarded as a foster mother of the nation, she is the biological mother of three daughters and seven sons.
