By Jacob Kubeka (ABUJA) –
President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, have mourned Popular Nigerian female politician and former minister of women affairs, Aisha Al-Hassan, who passed away at a Cairo hospital in Egypt today.
Aisha Alhassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba, died at the age of 61.
In the 2015 General Elections, she contested the Taraba state governorship election in under the Platform of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) but lost to incumbent Governor Darius Ishaku of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
President Muhammadu Buhari later appointed her Minister of Women Affairs after she lost the Taraba election.
She however resigned her appointment after controversially endorsinf ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar for president ahead of the 2019 elections.
Reacting to the development, President Buhari expressed deep sadness over the demise of Hajiya Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan, “Mama Taraba’’, who was Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development during his first term in office.
Buhari said “The demise of the notable politician, Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan has left many saddened. Both in office and out of office, her concern for the education of the girl child, especially those of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, who were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists, shone through.
“Her death is a huge loss not only to the female gender activist community but to the country as a whole. Our condolences to her family, friends, National Assembly and government and people of Taraba State.”
The Nigerian Mission in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday announced the death of the former minister and Senator.
On his part, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Friday, said Nigeria has lost yet another impactful female politician with the death of the former Minister of Women Affairs, Sen. Aisha Alhassan.
In a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr Paul Ibe in Abuja, Abubakar said he was grieved by the loss of the former Senator and former gubernatorial candidate in Taraba.
He described the late Alhassan, popularly known as “Mama Taraba” as a reliable political ally and a foot soldier, who was passionate about her political convictions.
“Aisha Alhassan was not only sincere but also worked very hard for the achievement of whatever course she set out to accomplish,’’ he said.
Abubakar said the deceased was an accomplished civil servant, astute politician and patriot, who was compassionate, loyal and deeply committed to a better Nigeria.
The former vice president said that one of the qualities he admired about the late ex-minister was that she was a determined fighter who never gave up on despair.
“You must also give Alhassan the credit for breaking the political glass ceiling in an environment in which many women are scared of joining politics because of cultural and traditional stereotypes.
“Overcoming such formidable obstacles to make an impact is no easy task,’’ Abubakar said.
He recalled that he asked about Alhassan condition on Thursday afternoon after he called her number without a response.
“I can’t forget her dedication and how she stood by me through thick and thin in the course of my political career.
“I really have lost a sister and loyalist,’’ he said.
Abubakar prayed to God to forgive her gentle soul and reward her good deeds with paradise in this holy month. (NAN)