It’s been 23 years since the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, the wife of Chief MKO Abiola, but she still remains alive in the heart of her daughter, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, who has never stopped celebrating her.

Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was assassinated whilst her husband, Moshood Abiola was being detained by the Nigerian Government.

Hafsat, who clocked 45 today, remembers her mother who was killed when she was just three months to celebrating her 45th birthday.

Sharing pictures of her and her mother’s children, Hafsat shares the teachings of her parents and how they have positively affected her life.

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.”