Aishatu Gidado Idris, daughter of the late Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) under General Sani Abacha, has recounted the role that General Sani Abacha played in helping her through debilitating personal challenges.
Aishatu, who was also married to Captain Bala Shagari, the first son of former President Shehu Shagari, recounted how Abacha’s unexpected intervention changed her life during a difficult period.
She narrated how after a painful divorce, she found herself stranded in Dubai with few resources, facing a difficult future. “I had become so alienated that I was nicknamed ‘Aisha miskin,’ meaning Aisha the poor lady.” Her situation took a turn when General Abacha took steps to assist her after hearing about her situation.
“I received a call from the State House while in Dubai, where I had been staying with kindhearted Chadian people. They arranged for the Nigerian Embassy to clear my overstaying issue, which had cost me $20,000,” Aishatu explained. She was soon flown back to Nigeria and given refuge in a hotel, where Abacha himself reached out to offer support.
“After reconciling with my father, Abacha called me again and treated me like his own daughter,” she continued. However, just days later, the unexpected occurred. “I was supposed to meet with him again, but he died the day he promised to see me. This is the Abacha I know – my very own earth angel.”
Aishatu also reflected on her marriage to Captain Bala Shagari in 1980, describing the wedding as grand for its time but not as extravagant as today’s affairs. “It was a simple yet memorable event with a lot of goodwill from friends and family,” she said. However, the joy of the wedding was soon overshadowed by the 1983 coup that ousted her father-in-law, President Shehu Shagari.
The aftermath of the coup left her family struggling financially. “We had to start afresh. We lived hand-to-mouth for a time until my husband began engaging in business and politics,” she explained.
Aishatu’s life experiences have inspired her to write, and she has authored both English and Hausa novels. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “Nothing is certain in life, but if you trust in God and remain patient, you will be rewarded.”
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