The Federal Government has mourned the passing of the late Senator Franca Afegbua, the first female democratically elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, extolling her role in championing women participation in the country’s political development.
In a condolence letter addressed to the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, by the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Tallen, the Federal Government said Afegbua represented the aspirations and triumph of Nigerian women recognition in national development.
Tallen noted that the late Afegbua’s emergence as a senator in 1983 through a keenly contested election to represent the defunct Bendel State North Senatorial District shattered the glass ceiling and paved the way for more women to attain the highest pinnacle in their political career.
The latter read in part, “Her death at this time is an irreparable and irreplaceable loss not only to the good people of Edo State, but to the greater Nigeria society, especially the Nigerian women. We, however, took solace in the fact that she was a courageous woman, devoid of ethnic sentiments, who took pride in projecting the rich cultural diversity of Nigeria to the world.
“Her death at this time has left a big vacuum in Nigerian women participation in politics, at a time, we are canvassing for more representation of women and seeking mentors of the next generation of female politicians.”
Contact: [email protected]
