Ogun’s First Lady, Mama Lucia Onabanjo, Turns 100

Mama Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo, esteemed widow of the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, the first civilian Governor of Ogun State, marks a remarkable milestone today as she celebrates her 100th birthday. This centennial celebration is a tribute to a life that has been closely intertwined with Nigeria’s political and social history, especially through her steadfast support of her late husband’s visionary leadership.

Mama Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo was born in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. She attended school in Lagos and was raised under the care of the Irish Sisters, leaving her hometown at the age of 10. As the first First Lady of Ogun State during the Second Republic, she played a supportive yet pivotal role alongside her husband in the transformative years of the state’s development. Her husband, Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, was celebrated for his integrity, courage, and commitment to progress during his tenure from 1979 to 1983. Widely regarded as a straightforward and humble leader, he introduced groundbreaking initiatives such as the establishment of Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ogun Television, and numerous social programs including free healthcare and educational expansion.

Chief Onabanjo’s administration set a benchmark for purposeful governance that prioritized healthcare, education, infrastructure, and grassroots empowerment. Mama Lucia’s centenarian milestone reminds many of the enduring legacy of the Onabanjo family and their profound impact on Ogun State’s history.

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Earlier today, personal efforts to convey warm birthday wishes to Mama Lucia were met with the gentle news that she was resting — a gentle nod to the grace of her advanced years. Nevertheless, her legacy and vitality remain a source of inspiration for many Nigerians.