Many years of Baptism Day had come and gone for the Mother of our State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq but in happiness, the one which makes her to clock 90 is a sacred fold in her life. 

Hajia Raliat is a very good mother both at her paternal house in Oke-Apomu and maternal house in Lanwa District in Moro Local Government Area. Without doubt, Hajia is kind at her matrimony house and you can see glittering stars she produced as children enveloped by our current Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq who is her third born. It is in this piece I will correct history which had Ransom Kuti to be the first female to drive a car in Nigeria. Hajia was the first woman to drive a car in Ilorin, Kwara State and  Nigeria but as God will have it, she was not popular to the measure of Ransom Kuti but all the same, she has the record.

Mama has unalloyed virtue which is scarce than money in women of this Millennium. Mama has hospitality and accommodative tendencies because she always regards all children as hers, including family members at Idi-Igba and Surulere where she is living. Mama is so submissive to her husband, AGF AbduRasaq who celebrated 93 years last year and this why Mama still remains at her matrimonial home.

Hajia Amope contributed to many aspects of national development such as education where she served as Headmistress at Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Ilorin; politics where she served as a councillor in 1967; religion where she had been matrons for various Islamic Societies and Religious Groups; and many more.

Because of her resilient virtue, Hajia Moyosore birthed beyond-successful, all-eyes-on-me and Alhamdulillah six (6) children relevant in different spheres of life. They include:

1. Dr. Alimi AbdulRasaq- Lawyer;

2. Senator Khairat Gwagabe- Former Senator Abuja Central;

3. Current Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq;

4. Isiaka AbdulRasaq- Former Head and Director at NEPA and NNPC;

5. Aishat Lawal- Former First Lady of Kwara State; and

6. Baba Rauf AbdulRasaq- Business Man (Charcoal).

Which of the favours (children) of Allah will Mama deny? Absolutely none!

I want to link her success stories with those of late Hajia Aishat Sulu-Gambari, mother of Emir of Ilorin and mother of Former President, late Umaru Musa Yar-Adua who had two presidents and four governors in her children.

Mama in person is a world heroine who should be celebrated like her counterparts in other parts of the Globe like Rosa Parks, Emmeline Pankhurst, Margaret Thatcher, Angela Burdett, Virgin Mary, Mother Teresa, Coco Chanel, Marie Curie, Florence Nightingale, etc. Mama combined the attributes of more than 100 celebrated women in the world. In fact, it is an endowment. I will mention some like Virgin Mary (1st century BC – 1st century AD) who was the mother of Jesus, Mary is venerated by both Christians and Muslims, and is probably the most famous woman in history. Mama is loved by all regardless of religious lining;

Margaret Thatcher (1925 – 2013) was the Britain’s first female prime minister came to power at an unsettled time in the country’s history, as it faced political disharmony and economic recession. Mama also shared this quality when she served as a councillor in 1967. Her tenure was glamorous with achievements. I am not here to tell history; Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005) challenged the race segregation that existed in parts of the US and this gave African-Americans equal rights with White-Americans. Mama broke the jink to become best female councillor during her time; and lastly, Mama shared the quality of Khadijat, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for her submissiveness and endurance at her matrimonial home.

As our mother celebrates her Day with ecstasy, other women should embrace her qualities and character so that their children will be celebrities because there in no success without pain.

I pray our mother has a course to celebrate more of this Day and may the rest of her years be more blossom than at 90.

Happy Birthday Hajia.

ARIKEWUYO, Akeem Kawata.

Is a First Class Graduate of University of Ilorin, a native of Ilorin West, an educationist and a social writer.

+2347033745111

call4akeem@gmail.com