Tributes pour in following death of first female senator

By Dan Ishaku

Tributes have continued to pour in for Nigeria’s first female senator Franca Afegbua who passed at the age of 81 on March 12, 2023.

President Muhammadu Buhari, while consoling the family, friends and associates of Senator  Afegbua, described her as a trailblazer “whose adventure into political leadership lifted the glass ceiling for women in the legislature in the Second Republic.”

In his message, the Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, who expressed sadness over her passing, noted that she should be celebrated for her exemplary exploits.

“She was an entrepreneur who championed the cause of female representation in government and gender mainstreaming at a time when it was a herculean task. She was a trailblazer who deserves to be celebrated for her bravery and exemplary exploits,” he said.

Senator Franca Afegbua was Nigeria’s first democratically elected female senator, she represented Bendel North Senatorial District Old Bendel State.

Her family in a statement said funeral arrangements will be announced soon.