Turai Yar'Adua

Turai Yar'Adua
First Lady of Nigeria
In office
29 May 2007 – 5 May 2010
Preceded by Stella Obasanjo
Succeeded by Patience Jonathan
Personal details
Born July 1957 (age 59)
Katsina area, Nigeria
Spouse(s) Umaru Yar'Adua (1975–2010; his death)
Children five daughters and two sons
Alma mater Ahmadu Bello University

Hajiya Turai Umar Musa iar'Adua (born July 1957)[1] is the widow of former Nigerian President and former Katsina State Governor Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. She served as the First Lady of Nigeria from 2007 until the death of her husband, President Yar'Adua, on May 5, 2010.

Education

Turai Yar'Adua was born in the Katsina metropolitan area of northern Nigeria in July 1957.[1] She attended Government Girls Secondary School in Kankiya as a child.[1]

Turai Yar'Adua attended Garama Primary School in Katsina and Government Secondary School in Kankia, both in Katsina State. She later enrolled at Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State, where she was reportedly named "best student" in 1980.[1] In 1983, Yar'Adua received a bachelor's degree in Language from Ahmadu Bello University.[1][2]

Personal life

Turai married Umaru Yar'Adua in 1975,[1] and they have five daughters and two sons.[1][2] One of their daughters, Zainab, is married to Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari, Governor of Kebbi State.[3]

In September 2007, Turai was the guest of honor at the commissioning of the Mobility Aid and Braille Centre in Akure, Ondo State. The centre was built by the Handicapped Education Foundation (HANDEF), a non-governmental organization founded by Olufunke Agagu, then First Lady of Ondo State. Also in attendance at the event were the Vice President's wife, Patience Jonathan, and the wives of multiple other state governors.[4]

She was rumored to be one of her husband's closest advisors during his tenure as President of Nigeria.[1] For example, Yar'Adua is believed to have influenced the choice of Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, the former Director-General of the National Action Committee on AIDS, as Nigeria's Minister of Health during her husband's administration.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Gabriel, Chioma (2010-01-15). "Turai Yar'Adua - a Silent But Influential First Lady". Vanguard Media. AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  2. 1 2 Iliya, Christy. "Hajiya Turai: What Manner Of First Lady?". Leadership online. Leadership Newspapers Group. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
  3. ↑ Birnin, Saka Ibrahim (2007-07-16). "'Yar'Adua's Daughter's Wedding Won't Affect Guber Case'". Thisday. Leaders & Company. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
  4. ↑ Johnson, Dayo (2007-09-07). "First Lady rallies support for physically challenged persons". Vanguard. Vanguard Media. Archived from the original on 2007-09-17. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Stella Obasanjo		 First Lady of Nigeria
May 29, 2007 – May 5, 2010 		Succeeded by
Patience Faka Jonathan
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