Mama Taraba: Governor Okowa Mourns Ex-Minister Aisha Alhassan

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has expressed condolence over the death of former Minister of Women Affairs, Sen. Aisha Alhassan popularly known as Mama Taraba.

This is contained in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, on Saturday in Asaba.

Okowa said that the deceased was a courageous and outspoken politician.

He said that the late politician, who represented Taraba North in the senate from 2011 to 2015 was a great mobilizer of people, especially women.

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“I learned of the passing of Sen. Aisha Alhassan with shock and disbelief.

“She was my colleague at the senate from 2011 to 2015 and was a great politician and patriotic Nigerian who also served the nation as Minister of Women Affairs between 2015 and 2018.

“She will be remembered for her contributions to the Nigerian polity, particularly her advocacy and campaign on the empowerment of women and the challenges they face.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I extend my profound condolences to the Alhassan family, the people of Taraba North, and the Peoples Democratic Party.

“It is my prayer that God will comfort all those who mourn her exit, and make her good soul repose in His bosom,” Okowa said. 

AllNews Nigeria understands that Mama Taraba died in a hospital on Friday in Cairo, Egypt at the age of 61.

Al-Hassan, who was a former senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Taraba North Senatorial District, was the All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate for Taraba in the 2015 general elections.

She later contested for the same seat on the platform of the United Democratic Party in the 2019 general elections after resigning from APC and as a minister in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on July 27, 2018.

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The former senator was born on the 16th of September, 1959 in Jalingo, Taraba State, to Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, Sarkin Ayukan Muri.

Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan attended Muhammed Nya Primary School, Jalingo and LEA Primary School, Tudun Wada, Kaduna before proceeding to Saint Faith College (now GGSS) Kawo Kaduna where she studied between January 1973 and June 1977.