Hajiya Asabe King, Maryam Babangida’s Mum dies in Cairo

Hajiya Asabe King, mother-in-law to former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida is dead. She was aged 88. She died barely one year after the death of her daughter and wife of the former military leader, Maryam Babangida who passed away in an American hospital on December 27, 2009. The deceased died in Cairo, Egypt where she was hospitalized for what family sources called old age related ailment.


The late Hajiya Halima was said to have taken ill about a week ago. She was on Tuesday transferred to the Egyptian hospital where she died yesterday morning.

Her daughter, Mallama Hadiza King, director general, Women Mobilization, Niger State accompanied Hajiya Asabe to Cairo on the medical trip. The deceased who hailed from Asaba in Delta State was married to the late Alhaji Muhammadu King, second republic presidential liaison officer under President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari.

A family source disclosed to Daily Sun that the late Hajiya Asabe would be interred in Kontagora on Friday according to Islamic injunctions. Meanwhile, a statement issued by Ibrahim Ismail, special assistant to former President Ibrahim Babangida said the family of former President Babangida, GCFR, announces the death of Hajiya Asabe Halima Mohammed.

“Hajiya Asabe who died at 6.30 a.m. yesterday, November 17, 2010, in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt, during a protracted illness, was the mother of the former president’s late wife, H.E. (Mrs.) Maryam Babangida. “Born on July 1, 1922, the late Hajiya Asabe was a respected and devout Muslim who was helpful, caring and kind to all. “She is survived by her son, Chief Sunny Okogwu, her daughters, Hadiza King and Jummai Sambo, many grand and greatgrand children.

“She will be buried in Kontagora, Niger State, at 11.00 a.m. on Friday, November 19, 2010.”