Nigerian Minister for Women's Affairs, Pauline Tallen calls for more Political Representation of Women

Pauline Tallen, the Nigerian minister for women's affairs, has urged for increased political participation by women. The Minister announced while signing a record of condolences in honour of Franca Afegbua, the first female senator to be democratically elected, at the Ministry's Abuja offices.

She characterized her passing as an irreparable and irreplaceable loss to the political arena for women in Nigeria. Senator Afegbua, according to Ms. Pauline, is a symbol of the achievements and ambitions of Nigerian women in national development.

"She broke the glass ceiling and paved the way for more women to attain the highest pinnacle in their political careers while demystifying the stereotypes around women's equal participation in politics in Nigeria," she said. "Her emergence as Senator in 1983 through a hotly contested election to represent the defunct Bendel State North Senatorial District."

She stated that "back then, Franca Afegbua was not just a fashionista but also a cultural ambassador, exporting the beauty of Nigerian culture to Europe via hairstyles and the energizing Atilogwu dance; shining a light on the rich cultural variety of Nigeria to the globe."

The Swedish ambassador Annika Habn-Englund, previous ministers of women's affairs Zainab Maina and Maryam Ciroma, and members of the Afegbua family were all present when the condolence book was signed.