Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid glowing tribute to the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mother of President Bola Tinubu, describing her as a remarkable woman whose influence extended far beyond her family and helped shape Nigeria’s moral and leadership values.
Shettima spoke on Sunday at the Annual Grand Prayer Session held in her honour at the National Mosque, Abuja, where he celebrated the enduring legacy of the former Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, who passed away on June 15, 2013.
According to the Vice President, Alhaja Mogaji’s impact was reflected in the countless lives she touched and the institutions she strengthened during her lifetime.
He noted that she lived a life of service, compassion, and leadership, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
Drawing a connection between the late matriarch and her son, President Bola Tinubu, Shettima said the President’s leadership style reflects the values instilled in him by his mother.
“It should surprise no one that the son she raised carries the same fire into the highest office in our land,” Shettima said.
He added that Tinubu learned from his mother that leadership is a sacred trust and that public service must prioritize the welfare of ordinary citizens.
According to him, the President’s commitment to democracy, courage in times of political uncertainty, and dedication to the common good were values first nurtured at home by Alhaja Mogaji.
“A mother shaped a leader, and through that leader, her values now serve the whole of Nigeria,” he stated.
Shettima further described Mogaji as a champion of grassroots development who dedicated much of her life to supporting traders and empowering market women across the country.
He said she taught generations of women that their work mattered, their voices deserved to be heard, and their contributions to society should be respected.
“She earned the affection of her people because she served before seeking to be served. She fed the hungry, mediated disputes, and stood up for the vulnerable,” he said.
The Vice President also expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its current security and economic challenges through prayers, unity, and collective commitment.
He assured Nigerians that President Tinubu remains focused on implementing policies aimed at improving security, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing citizens’ welfare.
Earlier, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs and Other Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, described the late Mogaji as a woman whose life was devoted to serving humanity.
Masari disclosed that over 250 hand-pump boreholes had been constructed across nine northern states in her memory.
He also announced plans to establish the Abibatu Mogaji Islamic Centre in Abuja to promote Islamic scholarship, leadership development, science, and technology education.
In addition, a modern Juma’at Mosque with residential quarters for the Imam and supporting staff will be built in Rigasa, Kaduna State, in honour of the late matriarch.
The prayer session concluded with special prayers led by prominent Islamic scholars for the repose of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji’s soul.
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