Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari; former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku and former senate president, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, have mourned the death of former minister of women affairs, Hajiya Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan, popularly known as “Mama Taraba,” who passed away on Friday at Cairo, Egypt. President Buhari, according to a statement from his media aide, Garba Shehu, stated he’s”deeply saddened” by the passing of the former minister.
“The demise of this prominent politician, Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan has left several saddened,” Buhari said.”Both in-office and out of office, her concern for the education of the girl child, particularly those of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, who had been abducted by Boko Haram terrorists, shone through.”Her passing is a huge loss not only to the female gender activist community but to the country as a whole. Our condolences to her family, buddies, National Assembly and people and government of Taraba State.
“In the same way, Atiku, a close partner of the former minister and prominent Taraba politician, said he’s deeply grieved with her passing.”I am grieved by the death of former Minister of Women Affairs, Sen. Aisha Alhassan. I asked about her condition this day after I called her number with no response! Atiku said.”May Allah forgive her sins and grant her Aljannah Fiddausi in this sacred month. Ameen. Mama Taraba because she was popularly known, was an accomplished civil winner, astute politician and patriot. She was compassionate, faithful and deeply committed to a better Nigeria. She will be sorely missed.
I truly have lost a sister and a loyalist.”Also reacting to the death, Taraba State governor, Ishaku explained her as a powerful woman and a major stakeholder in Taraba politics.”I’m deeply saddened today by the news of this reduction of Hajiya Jummai Alhassan (Mama Taraba). She was really a powerful girl and a major stakeholder in Taraba politics,” Ishaku said.”During this sorrowful time, on behalf of myself and the Taraba State government want to extend our heartfelt condolences to your family.
Read also: tension in Lagos as police shot three Okada riders during clash
I hope that God will give the family, State and friends the fortitude to bear the loss. My most sincere condolences.”Likewise, former senate president, Saraki, stated the late minister is going to probably be remembered for her courage, tenacity and her commitment to public service.”My sincere condolences to the family, friends and enthusiastic fans of Mama Taraba, Sen. Aisha Alhassan who passed away earlier today. She will be remembered for her courage, tenacity and her devotion to public service,” Saraki said.
“I pray that Almighty Allah grants her a location amongst the righteous ones in Al Jannah Firdaus.”She was also the Progressives Congress’ Governorship Candidate for Taraba State from the 2015 general elections. She contested the exact same seat on the platform of the United Democratic Party in the 2019 general elections after resigning as a minister in Buhari’s government.She had been born on the 16th of September, 1959 at Jalingo, Taraba State, to Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, Sarkin Ayukan Muri.
She attended Muhammed Nya Primary School, Jalingo and LEA Primary School, Tudun Wada, Kaduna before proceeding to Saint Faith College (currently GGSS) Kawo Kaduna where she studied between January 1973 and June 1977. She attended the College of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from July 1977 to July 1979 for her preliminary research. Al-Hassan started work as a Magistrate Grade II in April 1988 at the Kaduna State Judiciary. She was admitted to the Fijian Tavern and enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Fiji in 1991. While she had been in Fiji, her services were moved out of Kaduna State Judiciary to FCT Judiciary in 1991 as Magistrate Grade I.Al-Hassan was appointed the first female Attorney General of her State, Taraba in 1997. She had been appointed the first female Principal Registrar of the High Court of the FCT in December 2003.
