By Charles Segun Adegbite
An epitome of beauty and brain, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, the Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, is an embodiment of a virtuous woman and an international awards winner. Her activities, of course, have been recognised by the United Nations agency and honoured as Global Hepatitis Zero Ambassador by the World Hepatitis Eradication Commission.
Her cool and amorous mien , humble spirit and positive mind were some of the qualities that attracted the Iperu-Remo Prince, Dapo Abiodun, over three decades ago and won his heart; which later led to their marriage in May 1990.
This First Lady of the gateway state is a Zoology graduate of Nigeria's premier university, the University of Ibadan. She was a player in Nigeria oil and gas sector with over two decades experience in the industry.
Birth and Early Life
Mrs Abiodun was born on July 16, 1966 to Professor Oladipo Habeeb Oduye and the late Mrs Abimbola Wosilat Oduye of Ilisan Remo; a neighbouring town to her husband's Iperu-Remo, both in Ogun State.
She grew up in Ibadan and attended International School Ibadan, Oyo State, for her secondary education. Her passion for education led to her seeking admission into the first university in Nigeria, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree(B.Sc) in Zoology in 1988.
Jobs and Career Life
After her youth service(NYSC) she went into the private sector where she worked in different capacities. The opportunity she got to work in the oil and gas sector where her husband was a major key player, saw her displaying administrative skill and worthwhile business acumen. There, she had a sound track record of providing the best of value to all customers of her business interest.
She was also a lead facilitator at Park Royal Finishing school/Training academy; with clients such as Access Bank, Zenith Bank and Grange School.
Political Engagements and Public Life
Mrs Abiodun wasn't known to be a politician but her romance with politics and engagements with politicians could be traced back to late 1990s when her husband began his adventure into politics.
She has seen her husband won and lost senatorial elections in the past. In the race to the 2019 gubernatorial elections however, she was seen giving her husband more support in terms of campaigning for votes soliciting the support of critical stakeholders.
Women Empowerment
She is a dedicated philanthropist with special emphasis on alleviating the plight of underprivileged cwomenhildren, the disabled and welfare of .
Her devotion to this cause manifest in the way she operates as the First Lady in the state.
The First Lady and her heartthrob, Gov Dapo Abiodun
Shortly after Mrs Abiodun became the First Lady, she collaborated with the First City Monument Bank(FCMB) for the purpose of carrying out the SHEVENTURES programme to improve the lot of Ogun State Women. It was an initiative focused on boosting the economic capacity of women by offering both financial and non-financial supports to small and medium scale businesses owned by women in the state.
The one day capacity building seminar, held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, had in attendance, over 150 women with businesses registered and operational in Ogun state.
SHEVENTURES announced plans to grant 40 business women with small and medium scale businesses in Ogun State, interest-free loans quarterly.
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Education Support
From the moment she became the First Lady she started initiating several programs with a focus on social welfare, health, education and poverty reduction. She has also been linked with ongoing work at the School for Special Needs in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In the month of August 2019, Mrs. Abiodun, in partnership with Learn Africa Plc., donated 42,000 books to primary and secondary schools in Ogun State.
In November 2019, Mrs Abiodun presented her commitment to advance the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action, at a high-level conference convened by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Widows Welfare
In commemoration of this year International Widows Day, she empowered widow representatives from the three senatorial districts of Ogun state with quantities of sewing machines, hair dryers, food items, some undisclosed amount of money, among others.
L-R: The Elepe of Epe-Sagamu, Oba Adewale Osiberu, The Akarigbo of Remoland Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, H.E. Mrs Abiodun(3rd from Right) The Alaperu of Iperu-Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo(2nd from Right)
Campaign Against Rape & Gender Violence
On Monday, June 8, 2020, as parts of her efforts toward helping the girl child and the vulnerable, she called on the three arms of government in the state to join the campaign against rape and other gender-based violence, when an awareness walk was embarked upon to the state secretariat to solicit support for action against gender-based violence and rape in the state.
She decried the gruesome rape and killings of Tina Ezekwe, Uwavera Omozua and Barakat Bello that occurred recently, among others.
Mrs Abiodun (3rd from Right) and some of the other key women dur the SheVentures programme.
Marriage and Family Life
Falling in love with the Iperu-Remo Prince over three decades ago and marrying him 30years ago, when she was barely 24years old, was the best marital decision she took . Of course the marriage was not only blessed with children, but paved the way for the fulfillment of her destiny of becoming the wife of the governor and the First Lady of her state.
The Awards & Recognitions
In June 2019 she was appointed as the United Nations Sustainable Development Champion by the Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development (CSCSD). She was decorated as Global Hepatitis Zero Ambassador by the World Hepatitis Eradication Commission, Nigeria, in July 2019.
Spiritual Life /Religion
Mrs Abiodun is a devout Christian.
In View of the facts stated above, we chose
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