Businesswoman Aisha Achimugu has honoured the memory of her late husband, Sulaiman Achimugu, as he would have turned 70.
She shared the tribute on her Instagram page on Tuesday, posting several photographs from their time together and reflecting on their marriage, family life and the memories they built.
In her emotional message, Achimugu expressed sadness over his absence, noting that she wished they could have marked the special occasion together with their children.
“Honey, my heart is heavy today. Not because I have forgotten how to be strong, but because even the strongest hearts have a place that only one person can fill.
“And that place in my heart will forever belong to you,” she wrote.
She also acknowledged the impact her husband’s affection, advice and encouragement had on her personal growth, promising to continue upholding the values and legacy he left behind.
Achimugu expressed gratitude for his support throughout their marriage, particularly his belief in her ambitions and the encouragement he gave her to pursue her dreams.
She said, “Thank you for loving me so completely. Thank you for believing in my dreams, even when they seemed impossible.
“Thank you for expanding my mind, sharpening my thinking, and teaching me to see beyond the obvious.”
The businesswoman further reflected on the growth of their sons, expressing pride in the young men they have become and the values their father instilled in them.
“Honey, you should see our boys today! The little boys you once guided, protected, and nurtured have grown into fine young men.
“Men carrying the values you planted in them. Men learning to navigate life with discipline, responsibility, courage, and strong faith in Allah.”
Sulaiman Achimugu was a former managing director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
He died on March 22, 2020, after contracting COVID-19, becoming Nigeria’s first confirmed fatality from the disease. He had reportedly returned from the United Kingdom, where he had travelled for medical treatment.
His wife, Aisha Achimugu, is an entrepreneur and Group Managing Director of Felak Concept Group, a company with interests in engineering, maritime and the oil and gas sectors.