Ex-minister Al-Hassan’s death huge loss to Nigeria – Buhari

PRESIDENT Buhari has expressed sadness over the demise of a former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Al-Hassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba.

The Nigerian Mission in Egypt had confirmed that the former minister died aged 61 in Cairo yesterday.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the president 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.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also mourns the death of the former minister, describing her as a compassionate, loyal, and deeply committed Nigerian.

Atiku in a statement yesterday said, “I am grieved by the death of former Minister of Women Affairs, Sen. Aisha Alhassan. I asked about her condition this afternoon after I called her number without a response! Inna lillahi wainna Ilaihi Rajiun!

“May Allah forgive her sins and grant her Aljannah Fiddausi in this holy month. Ameen.

“Mama Taraba as she was popularly known, was an accomplished civil servant, astute politician and patriot. She was compassionate, loyal, and deeply committed to a better Nigeria.

“She will be sorely missed. I really have lost a sister and a loyalist.”