Former First Lady Maryam Abacha, alongside other prominent personalities, graced the 65th birthday celebration of former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, on Monday.

The event, which ended with a dinner at Ms Tallen’s residence, began with a Holy Mass at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Garki, presided over by the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama.

The roll call of dignitaries included former Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; former Governor James Ngilari of Adamawa; Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Jamila Ibrahim; and Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani.

Others were two former ministers of women’s affairs, Zainab Maina and Inna Ciroma; former Minister of Power, Prince Jeddy Agba; former Kaduna State governor’s wife, Amina Yakowa; and former Supreme Court Justice, Amina Augie.

The list also included former EFCC boss Farida Waziri; Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory, Health and Human Services, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe; and Solicitor General of Nigeria, Beatrice Jeddi-Agba.

Also in attendance were the All Progressives Congress National Women Leader, Dr Blessing Agbomhere; the first female and current Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi; and the former Nigerian Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Martin Adamu.

Many of the distinguished guests took turns to eulogise Dame Tallen in their goodwill messages to her at the occasion.

Mrs Abacha, while eulogising Ms Tallen, recalled meeting her for the first time in the Presidential Villa when Mr Abacha was Head of State and since then they have both remained in touch “because of her exciting and irresistible aura.”

She called for inter-religious unity among Nigerians and urged Ms Tallen and others, who might find themselves in any position of authority, to pursue the course as a top priority to ensure peace, unity, security and national cohesion.

Also, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Jamilu Ibrahim, said her rise to the ministerial position would not have been possible without the mentorship of Ms Tallen.

She said that Ms Tallen inspired and encouraged her all along, from when they first met when she was SSA to the Governor of Kwara State many years ago, adding that God had not yet done with Ms Tallen.

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Inna Ciroma, recalled how Ms Tallen, upon assumption of office as women affairs minister, first invited her predecessors to meet and learn from them.

She said Ms Tallen’s passion for women’s development was second to none.

Zainab Maina described Ms Tallen as a great woman who would have reached much greater heights in politics but was inhibited by her female status as she was schemed out.

She, however, expressed confidence that a woman would one day become the President of Nigeria with the kind of foundation already laid by women like them, adding that Nigeria still needed Ms Tallen in office to continue her goodness.

Mrs Yakowa described Ms Tallen as a devout Christian and papal knight, whose constituency was the Church and God, urging her to continue trusting in God’s ways and guidance.

Ms Binani, while pouring encomiums on Ms Tallen, described her as an irrepressible emancipator of women, whom God had blessed as a two-time minister and one-time deputy governor, which opportunity she utilised to put indelible marks on the sands of time.

She specially appreciated Ms Tallen for standing by her and sacrificing for her during the 2022 Adamawa governorship primary election, adding that she could never thank her enough.

Also, the APC Women Leader, Ms Agbomhere, described Ms Tallen as down-to-earth and recalled the first time she met the celebrator and was swept off her feet by Ms Tallen’s “magnetising aura.”

Ms Obi, who presided over the cutting of the cake, summed up the eulogies, describing Ms Tallen as phenomenal, outstanding, warm, charming, exciting, a lover of people and a special creation of God.

Responding, Ms Tallen thanked her guests for the goodwill messages and for finding time to honour her by coming to celebrate her 65th birthday.

(NAN)