President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family, friends and associates of Senator Franca Afegbua, the first female Senator in the country. She died in Edo State at the weekend. She was 79.
The late Senator was elected under the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), to represent the old Bendel North.
The president in a statement said, Senator Afegbua’s “adventure into political leadership lifted the glass ceiling for women in the legislature in the Second Republic,” adding that her historical feat completely altered the perception and position of women, her state and the country, especially with the projection of exemplary leadership traits of empathy and inclusiveness, which earned Afegbua trust and respect.
President Buhari also condoled with the Government and people of Edo, and her community, ”where she had remained an inspiration to young women, lifting many out of hopelessness through mentorship, and creating opportunities for others to realize their dreams in various careers.”
Buhari prayed that the Almighty God would receive the soul of the departed, while urging the family to approximate her good works for posterity.
Meanwhile, the president has returned to Abuja from his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, following the postponement of the Governorship and State Assembly elections by INEC.
A report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the president was in Daura for the Presidential and National Assembly elections as well as Gubernatorial and State Assembly polls. He had participated in the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Feb. 25, but departed Daura for Abuja due to the postponement of the governorship elections to March 18.
While in Daura, the president received Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo and the Kano state APC gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Nasiru Gawuna.
He also had a parley with his former classmates who visited him at his residence.
The president is expected back in Daura on Friday for the Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections on Saturday.
