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Tag: Pauline Tallen

  • Emotion, tears as family, friends hold requiem mass for Tallen’s late son

    Emotion, tears as family, friends hold requiem mass for Tallen’s late son

    It was an emotional night of sorrow and tears as friends, family and associates, eulogised the late Richard Tallen, son of former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen.

    The event, which held on Saturday night in Abuja, was a requiem mass and night of tributes organised as part of the funeral of the deceased, who died on Oct.6.

    Leading the tributes, Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of Kwara Governor and Chairperson, Nigerian Governors Wives’ Forum, described the deceased as a loving and purposeful gentleman when he was alive.

    According to Abdulrazaq, the late Richard touched many lives, hence it behoves those he left behind to keep his memory alive.

    She said that doing so would ensure that they were able to cope with the vacuum which his painful death had created.

    “He was a good son, a good father, a good friend, a good family member, but now he has left the race.

    “It is up to us to keep his memory alive and make sure that the family does not feel his absence.

    “We will fill the void and continue to stand by this family,” she said.

    Also speaking, Hajiya Titi Abubakar, the wife of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, said that the deceased had left a good legacy for everyone to emulate.

    “God has a reason for taking him, there is a time to be born and a time to die.

    “That is the time God has apportioned for him to leave this world,” she said.

    Prof. Mary Lar, widow of Chief Solomon Lar, the first civilian Governor of Plateau, urged the youths to live exemplary lives worthy of emulation by the next generation, like the deceased.

    “He lived for just 41 years but had achieved what would have taken him more than a 100 years to achieve,” Lar said.

    Prof. John Opara, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of CSS Group of Companies, also expressed similar emotions about the deceased.

    “He has run and finished his own race. It is not how long we live but how well we live,” he said.

    The event also featured the unveiling of a foundation in memory of the deceased

    The late Tallen, who hailed from Shendam in Plateau, was born on Oct. 12, 1982. The graduate of Computer Science from a United States university is survived by a wife, three children, siblings and in-laws.

  • Son’s death: Buhari sends 10 ex-Ministers to condole with Tallen

    Son’s death: Buhari sends 10 ex-Ministers to condole with Tallen

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday despatched ten of his ex-ministers to condole former minister of women affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, following the death of her son, Richard Tallen.

    Richard, the only son of the one-time deputy governor of Plateau, died aged 41 on Sunday in Abuja after a brief illness.

    The delegation was led by former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who delivered the condolence message.

    Buhari described the deceased as “a gem and a rising star.”

    “He has passed away, and it is very saddening,” the former President said.

    He urged the grieving mother and family to take solace and comfort in the outpouring of love and respect from all who admired the late Richard.

    The delegation was made up of former Minister of Power,  Abubakar Aliyu; Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi; Power (State), Jedy Agba; Niger Delta, Umana Umana; and Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo.

    The others were ex-Youth and Sports Minister, Sunday Dare; Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Transportation, Muazu Jaji; and Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu.

    Prayers were said for the repose of the soul of the deceased, Garba Shehu, Buhari’s former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, stated on Wednesday.

  • Death of ex-Minister’s son shocking – VP Shettima

    Death of ex-Minister’s son shocking – VP Shettima

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed shock over the death of Richard Tallen, son of former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen.

    Shettima paid a condolence visit to the deceased family residence in Abuja in the company of Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia.

    The Vice-President, who described the loss as “unexpected”, prayed for the peaceful repose of the late Richard’s soul.

    Shettima acknowledged the deceased’s bright future and contributions to Nigeria’s development.

    He said ” I learnt of the death of the late Minister’s son with shock. He had such a bright future and was contributing to the development of Nigeria.”

    While addressing the grieving family, the Vice-President noted that the loss was not what any parent would wish for a son.

    ” I can only imagine the pain the family is going through right now. On behalf of my principal (President Bola Tinubu), I condole with you.

    ”May God grant you the heart to contain the pain and grant you the fortitude to bear this loss.

    ”May you be comforted and may his young family find solace, knowing quite well that God is the giver and taker of life, as we are all living at His will. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” Shettima prayed.

    The late Richard Tallen, who passed away in Abuja over the weekend, is survived by his wife and three children.

  • EFCC quizzes ex-Women Affairs Minister Tallen

    EFCC quizzes ex-Women Affairs Minister Tallen

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) on Friday quizzed the former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen over alleged fraud.

    A source close to the commission said that the ex-mnister who arrived at the Abuja Zonal Command of the Commission on invitation at 12pm was still being grilled by investigators of the Commission till late Friday night.

    Though details of the allegations against the ex-minister were sketchy, a source familiar with the case informed that it bordered on alleged corrupt enrichment to the tune of N2 billion

    Part of the money was allegedly diverted from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project.

    Spokesman of the Commission, Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached for confirmation.

  • Pauline Tallen, NCWS want incoming govt. to bridge digital gender inequality

    Pauline Tallen, NCWS want incoming govt. to bridge digital gender inequality

    Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen and the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) urged the incoming government to bridge the digital gender inequality.

    They made the call at an event to celebrate Hajiya Lami Lau’s one year in office as National President of NCWS in Abuja with the theme “Digitalisation of Nigerian Women in the 21st Century.””

    Tallen, while lamenting poor participation of women during the recent general elections in the country, urged the incoming administration to appoint more women in various offices.

    According to her, there are capable and qualified women in all the 36 states, including the FCT, who, when given the opportunity will contribute immensely toward national development, peace and security.

    She said “women are always the greatest voters, they sacrifice their time and energy and support every election but when it is time to enjoy the dividends of democracy, they are left behind.

    “We are appealing to the incoming president to consider filling the gap where women lost in the various elections. The statistics is low.

    “It is a very sad scenario and unacceptable that we have less than five per cent of women from the national down to the local government level as representation in the various houses of state and national and local government assemblies.’’

    The minister also urged the incoming government to keep to the campaign promises, especially the one on meeting the 35 per cent affirmative action.

    She encouraged women not to be deterred by the election results, but rather, show love and support others toward developing the country and ensuring gender equity.

    The minister commended the NCWS for the support and commitment toward women, especially at the grassroots.

    On her part, the NCWS national president said the council had achieved a lot, especially at the grassroots in promoting women in politics, leadership and governance.

    Other areas she listed were promoting health and women empowerment, support end Gender Based Violenec (GBV), child protection and education, as well as promote gender agenda.

    She said “I want to use this medium to call on the incoming government to ensure inclusiveness and consider women politicians, especially those that have tried and those that were dropped during primaries so that they would not be discouraged.”

    Dr Ejike Orji, the Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Health and Hospital Managent, stressed the need for women to use the digital space for economic empowerment and bridge gender inequality.

    He said “the world is moving ahead and one of the key things we are doing presently, we have developed tremendous programmes; one of which is how women will use Artificial intelligence (AI) to search for anything, do their project, market their goods and services and can humanise it to do their bid.

    “We are taking women to the next level and make sure they are equipped.

    “When you train a woman, you have liberated a country and maternal mortality will drop and women will be able to make informed decisions for themselves and support their spouses to enhance the family.”

    Also, Dr Asabe Vilita-Bashir, the Director General, National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), said digitising Nigerian women would help in bridging gender gaps, promote women empowerment in all sectors.

    She added that “the world has now gone digital and almost everything rely on computers one way or the other. New digital technologies have changed the world and we socialise and transact businesses using digital platforms.

    “I, therefore, encourage women to embrace digital technology as a tool of economic growth and social inclusion.”

    According to her, the NCWD trained more than 3,000 women and girls, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in ICT and gave them start-up kits, laptops and other supports to assist them.

    Other highlights of the event were the conferment of award to the minister of women affairs and others for their support to the progress of women in the country.

  • FG to monitor development of first babies of the year

    FG to monitor development of first babies of the year

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, says the Federal Government would sustain the reward given to every first baby of the year and also monitor their development.

    The minister stated this on Sunday while welcoming the First Baby of the year 2023, a baby boy named, Chimemla Testimony Uchenna at the Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja.

    Tallen, represented by Mr Ali Madugu, Director Child Development Department in the ministry said the tradition of rewarding the baby of the year had been sustained since 2012.

    She pledged the commitment of the ministry to monitor their growth and development.

    Also, Mrs Aisha Buhari, Wife of the President, advised expectant mothers to ensure proper antenatal care, engage in six months exclusive breastfeeding and strictly observe immunisation programmes to ensure adequate care for their babies.

    Mrs Buhari, represented by Hajiya Rukayat Gunri, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs and Administration, stressed the need to register birth of new babies by the National Population Commission to enable government plan for their welfare.

    “It is important to mention that exclusive breastfeeding is important for children and I would like to encourage mothers to strictly do so during the first six months to provide adequate nutrition and help growth and development of babies.

    “We always advise mothers and pregnant women to attend antennal and postnatal clinics to minimise incidences,” she said.

    Also, Dr Lasisi Muhideen, Medical Director, Kubwa General Hospital said that the hospital remained affordable for women and children in the provision of healthcare needs in the FCT.

    Mrs Amarachi Uchenna, the mother of the new baby expressed appreciation to the wife of the president for the gift, and assured that the donated materials would be used for the welfare of the baby.

    The government has been presenting gift items to children born on January 1st since 2012. Gift items were presented to other mothers in the maternity ward of the Kubwa General Hospital.

  • Loss of lives to insecurity depletes Nigerian resources – FG

    Loss of lives to insecurity depletes Nigerian resources – FG

    The Federal Government has lamented the continued loss of lives across the country to insecurity, saying it affects Nigeria’s national resources.

    The government therefore called for collective efforts to prevent violence and extremist attacks on the country.

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, stated this at the National Stakeholders Forum on Parenting for Peace in Abuja on Tuesday.

    She decried the loss of lives and properties to insecurity, stressing that it has a multiplier effect on the nation’s economy.

    Tallen, who was represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Idris Mohammed, said all hands must be on deck to tackle violence and extremism in all ramifications threatening the peaceful existence of the country.

    ”It is disheartening to note that we keep losing lives and properties. Many people are being taken as hostages for ransom, and there was a displacement of millions of people all over Nigeria.

    “These result in loss of livelihood and consequently billions of naira; resources continuously wasted leading to depletion of national resources which ultimately may contribute to the nation’s depleting economy.

    “All hands must be on deck to prevent violence and extremism in all ramifications to bring peace to our people, which is the essence of our gathering today to discuss the way forward.”

    Speaking, the Country Director of Mercy Corps, Mr Ndubisi Anyanwu, said that the corps had advanced peace and stability by addressing and mitigating gender dynamics that perpetuate and exacerbate conflict in the country.

    The Mercy Corps country Director was herself represented by Adesola Asogi, Acting Country Director.

    Anyanwu said that the Corps had worked with women government officials to improve their ability to peacefully manage disputes.

  • Another Buhari’s Minister withdraws from 2023 election race

    Another Buhari’s Minister withdraws from 2023 election race

    Women Affairs Minister Pauline Tallen has dropped her senatorial ambition in the 2023 election.

    Tallen made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    She said her decision was to enable her focus on the foundation laid towards the advancement and realisation of gender equality in leadership positions in the country.

    “With profound gratitude and great humility, I have decided to voluntarily step down from the Senatorial race sequel to the yearnings of Women and other well meaning Nigerians.

    “Who see the need for a strong voice for Women at the Senate having consulted widely with my family, well-wishers and supporters conscious of the role I play for Women in Nigeria today.

    “So to all Nigerian Women and young girls who have raised concerns as to what next, rest assured that I, Dame Pauline K. Tallen, OFR, KSG have not submitted any resignation letter.

    “And therefore, it is my decision not to go ahead with this request but carry on as the Minister of Women Affairs,” she said.

    According to her, President Buhari’s commitment to the advancement of Women, necessitated the need for her to continue as the minister, which will aide in addressing challenges affecting women and children.

    “Our nation has a long standing commitment in overcoming the challenges that inhibit women from bringing about positive changes and the requisite impacts when given a place at the table of decision making.

    “My appointment as the Minister of Women Affairs is indicative of this progress and I cannot lose sight of this opportunity,” she said.

    “The minister, therefore expressed her appreciation to the wife of the president, Dr Aisha Buhari, her constituency and all well-wishers for their continuous support.

    Recall that on May 8, Tallen announced that she will be vying for the Plateau South Senatorial seat in the 2023 general elections.

    Plateau South Senatorial District covers six local government areas namely, Langtang North, Langtang South, Mikang, Qua’anpan, Shendam, and Wase.

    Buhari had on Thursday, issued a directive to all appointees seeking nomination ahead of the APC primaries to resign on or before May 16.

    The directive followed the decision of the Court of Appeal to dismiss a suit that challenged section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, which prohibits appointees from participating in a convention as a delegate or nominee.

  • Husband of late Osinachi is an animal – Minister of Women Affairs

    Husband of late Osinachi is an animal – Minister of Women Affairs

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen has described Peter Nwachukwu, husband to late popular gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu as an animal.

    Tallen said this on Thursday in Abuja as she urged Nigerian women to speak out when in a marriage that is full of violence.

    While fielding questions from journalists at a world press conference organised by Women Radio 91.7 FM and Nigerian Women Trust Funds on “the Landmark Judgment on 35% Affirmative Action for Women on April 6, 2022”, the minister described Osinachi’s death as “appalling.”

    The death of the famous gospel singer had allegedly been linked to the domestic violence she suffered from her husband, Peter Nwachukwu. Though Peter had since denied abusing his wife, evidence from their children and colleagues of Nwachukwu had proven otherwise.

    “We are still mourning our sister, the lady with golden voice, who had suffered humiliation, pains til her dead. Women must come out and speak; all men and women of conscience should always come out and speak.

    “We call on neighbours where this act is being perpetrated to come out and speak. It is so sad that so many women are living in abusive marriage but are afraid to leave just because of what the society will say,” she said.

    Tallen said though she was not in support of divorce, where a woman was being subjected to all forms of violence, they should come out and voiced out.

    “Though she (Osinachi) is a twin, her twin sister cannot play her role. She is gone,” she said.

    The minister, who condemned Nwachukwu’s attitude to his wife, said it was until she spoke one-on-one with the deceased children that their father’s violent act was revealed.

    “Her story is appalling. The man is bad; I won’t even call him a man but an animal. Until I spoke with her four children who opened up that the father said they should not tell anyone of their mother’s experience.

    “I called the children separate and spoke to them. The first son spoke to me and opened up. He took me to the second child in another room and narrated the ugly experience too.

    “I have spoken with Mr President on this and he is committed and we will follow it to the latter. The I-G is also involved,” he said.

    She, therefore, called for quick dispensation of justice on the matter, saying “justice delay is justice denied.”

    “There is another case in Ebonyi where a man placed hot iron in a woman’s private part and you said you want to investigate. What sort of investigation do you still need?,” she asked.

    The minister, who described the late singer as “the breed winner of the family,” said her husband ensured she was cut off from her immediate family members to perpetrate the act.

    Her words: “When she sings, the man collects her royalties. But she goes out and comes back begging on her kneel. At times, she sleeps in uncompleted building. This is horrible!”

  • Lack of women in leadership, reason for crisis — Pauline

    Lack of women in leadership, reason for crisis — Pauline

    The Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen has stated that the insecurity faced in the country has not been successfully addressed because of “sheer” neglect of women in leadership and policymaking.

    Newsmen reports that Tallen said this during a stakeholders’ meeting on the network of policymakers to support reconciliation, peace and security on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Tallen said that women possessed the necessary capabilities to end the ongoing insecurity menace ravaging the nation.

    “Women also play a critical role in the home, in society and even in conflict resolution.

    “Any successful mediation that will be successful and bring about meaningful peace, women must be involved, and when they are involved we always get better results.

    “Ignoring who may participate on the decision table is what is causing the problem we are facing.

    “We must learn to admit and to address some of these security problems by looking inwardly and changing our strategy,” she said.

    Tallen added that the problem of Nigeria is the absence of love.

    “We should learn God’s love because God loves this nation beyond one’s imagination.

    “If not for God, we wouldn’t be sitting here today; God has shown us so much love, all we need to do is reciprocate and love one another and be sincere.

    “If we are sincere to ourselves, then by now we should have found a solution to our security problem; but there is no sincerity and we must go back to the drawing board,’’ she said.

    According to Tallen, President Muhammad Buhari is not a magician and he alone cannot protect Nigeria.

    “We are all involved in protecting Nigeria but we keep going around and around without telling ourselves the truth.’’

    The Minister of Foreign Affair, Mr Geoffrey Oyeama, while commending the minister of women affairs, said that a simple solution to the challenges faced in Nigeria regarding conflict was to put more women in leadership positions.

    “If we do this we will find out that we have a solution to a lot of these problems of insecurity.

    “We’ve been trying with the men for a long time, why don’t we try something different.

    “We all know that women are elements and source of love; it’s in their DNA.

    “I believe that women can play key roles when it comes to curbing insecurity in Nigeria,’’ Onyeama added.