FOUNDER / FORMER PROPRIETRESS
Late Dr. Mrs. Maryam Babangida was born on November 1st, 1948, in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
She attended Queen Amina College Kaduna between 1961-1964, Federal Training Centre Kaduna from 1965-1966 and La Salle University Illinois-Chicago, USA from 1974-1975. Maryam got married to the then Major Ibrahim Babangida (now retired General) in 1969, they had four children.
Her desire to assist her husband from the rear as it were in building up and maintaining a healthy home environment, devoid of competing influences and interests was borne out of a rather strong belief in the pivotal role of family units in sustaining the moral development of society.
The life of an army officer's wife is secluded and humble; one away from the prying eyes of society. But in 1984, she was thrust on the center stage of active public affairs when following the change of government, her husband became the Chief of Army Staff. As convention would have it, Late Dr. Mrs Maryam Babangida became the President of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives' Association (NAOWA) due to her husband's elevation. In 20 months she was able to mobilize her colleagues to embark aggressively on public spirited ventures like building schools, women's multipurpose centers, day care centers and other facilities as NAOWA is an organisation committed to the welfare of the citizens and devoted to the program of the country.
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When, in 1985, Gen. Babangida became the President Late Dr. Mrs Maryam Babangida became the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She had always had a passion for education and philanthropy. Her passion for education and impacting lives led to the founding of El-Amin International School, Minna in 2001. The school was poised to provide quality education in a conducive place to mould the future generation of leaders and innovators.
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She is fondly remembered for El-amin International School and her Better Life for Rural Women programme launched in 1987 which was aimed at achieving gender equity and women empowerment with special focus on rural women and children. The Better Life programme has won the Prestigious African prize for the sustainable end of hunger (1991).
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Being the first lady, has earned her several recognitions from well-meaning organisation, Patron of several guides, national Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS); Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria and Niger Tornadoes Club among others.
In 1981, she was awarded with an International Recognition Award of the Harlem Women's committee of New Future Foundation, the first woman Industrial Motivator Award of the National Association of Small-Scale Industrialists and the ANCAPPP certificate for her interest in the welfare and protection of children against abuse and neglect. The woman of the year the honorary fellowship of the West African College of Nursing and a Chieftaincy title Iyan Baba Abuja given to her by Emir of Suleja in 1991.
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Her commitment to the progress of the Nigerian women and children is firmly devoted to the development of a morally health society, free from the negative influences of child abuse and neglect drug addiction and other social vices; in which she tried during her years at the "corridors of federal power" to champion these causes to the best of her ability. She was a woman of poise and style whose outstanding personality defined her epoch.
She lived a purposeful life and touched the lives of many positively. Her legacy lives in us the Alumni of El-Amin International School and we celebrate her for giving us a solid foundation in life and uncountable pleasant memories.
Her hobbies included gardening and home decoration. She played badminton, table tennis and squash, enjoyed reading articles and publications related to women issues, health and Psychology.
GENESIS OF ELAA
The former First Lady and Founder of the School, late Dr Mrs. Maryam Babangida as part of the Tenth Anniversary celebrations of El-Amin International School expressed her desire for the establishment of an association of the ex students of the school.
Over a two-day period during the celebrations, she met and discussed her vision for such an association with the ex-students who were then present. The thoughts and vision behind the initiative might not have been fully understood by the ex-students then but there was no doubt that she had given some serious considerations to it, believed in it and was very much committed to it.
The Founder further demonstrated this commitment when she presented the ex-students with a Draft Constitution of the proposed association for their deliberations and amendment. She also directed that all necessary secretarial support be made available to the ex-students to aid deliberations, elections and all other procedures necessary for the inception of the association.
By the end of the celebrations and consequent departure of ex-students from Minna, the first set of Executive Officers had been inaugurated by the late Proprietress and El-Amin Alumni was on its way.
We understand now what she saw then and we are deeply grateful for all that she was to us in the very many ways we all encountered her.