Nigerian civil rights, democracy activist and daughter of late business mogul, politician and philanthropist, Chief MKO Abiola, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, who turned 45 today, shared a photo of herself with her six siblings, their partners and children, as she remembers their mother Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who was assassinated whilst their father was being detained by a military government.
Taking to her official Facebook page, she wrote:
“My mum was killed in June 1996, three months shy of her 45th birthday.
I am 45 today. This year, more than ever, I am conscious of the gift of time.
I am thankful for –
My larger-than-life father, MKO, who taught me the importance of being African, to recognize that my humanity is connected to yours.
My mother, who always said I should do ‘shuku,’ a traditional hairstyle that I later discovered is favoured by Yoruba queens. It was just one of the many ways my dearest mother nurtured the queen within me.
My siblings. All of them.
My husband and gentle angel children.
My elders, friends and aburos (people younger than me).
All shape the person I have been, am and will be.
May my use of what time remains honour the deposits made into my life.
Asé.”
Late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola’s inlaws, children and grandchildren
Late MKO Abiola
Hafsat Abiola-Costello
Credit: Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Facebook