Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday held a memorial service in honour of his late wife and former First Lady, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, describing her as a woman who lived her life serving others.
The memorial, marking 20 years since her death, was held at the Chapel of Christ the King of Glory, located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s First Lady from 1999 to 2005, died on October 23, 2005, in Spain at the age of 59 after complications from an elective cosmetic surgery. Her death, which came just days before her 60th birthday, shocked the nation and drew widespread tributes at the time.
Speaking briefly after the memorial service, Chief Obasanjo said the gathering was not to mourn but to celebrate a life dedicated to humanity.
“We are here to celebrate a life of service,” the former president said. “She lived serving others and remains a part of our lives even after her passing.”
The event was attended by members of the Obasanjo family, close friends, and dignitaries, including former Ogun State Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, as well as the late First Lady’s son, Muyiwa Obasanjo, and her younger brother, John Abebe.
In his tribute, John Abebe, Stella’s younger brother, described her as a cheerful and loving person whose warmth touched everyone she met.
“Sister Stella was someone you couldn’t get angry with because she would always smile through every difficulty,” he said. “Her smile had a way of warming people’s hearts and making them feel at ease.”
Her only child, Muyiwa Obasanjo, also paid an emotional tribute to his late mother, describing her as both caring and disciplined.
“She was caring and protective, but also strict and would not tolerate nonsense,” he said. “As an only child, I understood her love and her discipline. I have tried to live my life by the values she taught me.”
Both Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, who served as governors of Ogun State at different times, praised the late First Lady’s humility and dedication to public service. They described her as a woman of character who used her position to promote goodwill and women’s empowerment.
“Stella Obasanjo was an exemplary woman whose kindness and strength inspired many,” Daniel said. “She supported her husband’s vision for Nigeria and worked quietly to make a difference.”
Amosun, on his part, noted that Stella’s memory continues to live on through the impact she made while in office.
“She lived an exemplary life and remains a role model for Nigerian women,” he said.
Mrs. Stella Obasanjo was known for her involvement in humanitarian and social causes during her time as First Lady. Through her Child Care Trust Foundation, she supported children with disabilities and championed health and education initiatives across Nigeria.
Her passing in 2005 led to the establishment of new health regulations in Spain after investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death.
As the service ended, hymns were sung in her memory, and prayers were offered for the Obasanjo family. Chief Obasanjo, now 88, stood alongside family members as they lit candles in remembrance of the late First Lady.
“She will always be remembered for her compassion, her warmth, and her service to others,” Obasanjo said quietly.
Two decades after her death, Stella Obasanjo remains a symbol of grace, kindness, and strength — qualities that continue to inspire those who knew her.
