Hafsatu Ajoke Muhammed (born 23 May 1941) is a Nigerian conservationist and the fourth First Lady of Nigeria. She is the widow of General Murtala Muhammed who was Nigerian Head of State from 29 July 1975 to 13 February 1976.[1]
Ajoke Muhammed | |
|---|---|
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| First Lady of Nigeria | |
| In role 29 July 1975 – 13 February 1976 | |
| Head of State | Murtala Muhammed |
| Preceded by | Victoria Gowon |
| Succeeded by | Esther Oluremi Obasanjo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 May 1941 Kano, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Kano State, Nigeria) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 6, including Aisha |
| Relatives | Ireti Kingibe (sister) |
Biography
editShe was born on 23 May 1941 in British Nigeria.[2] Ajoke married Murtala Muhammed in 1963.[3]
She trained as a dental therapist but developed an interest in plants.[2] She set up the Murtala Muhammed Memorial Botanical Garden, a 30-hectare garden along the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Lagos in 1991.[4][5] She also owns a 20-hectare garden in Abuja named Sarius Palmetum and Botanic Garden.[4][6]
She has 5 living children and launched the Murtala Muhammed Foundation in memory of her husband alongside his family.[7]
References
edit- ^ Okon-Ekong, Nseobong (2 October 2010). "Nigeria: First Ladies - Colourful Brilliance, Gaudy Rays". Thisday. AllAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Ajoke Muhammed: A consequential matriarch at 80". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ Adenekan, Moruff (13 February 2018). "Murtala Muhammed: Tribute To The Man Whose Face Adorns The Twenty Naira Note". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ a b "One woman's mission to save Nigeria's palms". BBC News. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ Kamil, Muhammed (1996). Africa Has Come of Age: The Ideological Legacy of General Murtala Ramat Muhammed. Munascripts Noetic Associates. ISBN 978-978-33666-0-2.
- ^ "Murtala Muhammed children extol mother's virtues during 80th birthday celebration". Vanguard News. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ Siollun, Max (2009). Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture (1966-1976). Algora Publishing. ISBN 978-0-87586-710-6.