Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan, the first female SUG President of ABU Zaria
Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan popularly known as “Mama Taraba” is a distinguished Abusite and prominent Nigerian politician who is a former minister of women affairs and former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who represented Taraba North Senatorial District. She was also APC’s Gubernatorial Candidate for Taraba State in the 2015 general elections. She contested for the same seat on the platform of the UDP in the 2019 general elections.
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan was born on the 16th of September, 1959 in Jalingo, Taraba State, to Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim OON, Sarkin Ayukan Muri.
Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan attended Muhammed Nya Primary School, Jalingo and LEA Primary School, Tudun Wada, Kaduna before proceeding to Saint Faith College (now GGSS) Kawo Kaduna where she studied between Jan. 1973 – June 1977. The first set to do 4½ years in Secondary School because of the change of commencement of school year from January to September.
She proceeded to the School of Basic Studies (SBS) Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria from July 1977 to July 1979 for her preliminary studies.
Hajia Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan Joined student politics at ABU Main Campus in 1977 when she was a little over 18 years. She Contested for the post of Vice President of the SUG in 1978. The first time by a non-undergraduate. Based on the informal political arrangement at this time, the position of Vice President was always reserved for women and winners always emerged un-opposed.
But it was different this time, 1978. For the first time, three female students contested for the position. A female student Elizabeth (Lizzy) Wambebe then an undergraduate studying Fine Arts and Lead Vocalist of ABU JAZZ Club was a strong contender. Also, for the first time too, a male undergraduate contested for the position.
Despite the fact that she was a prelim student and perceived by some to be an underdog, she won the election and became the Vice President and only female in the SUG Exco of that year (1978 – 1979) headed by Mal. Abdulhameed Imam, who was the president. The Secretary-General was Comrade Isa Bala Lawal while Assistant Secretary-General was Comrade AbdulRahman Black of blessed memory.
All members of SUGExco of that year except Aisha were undergraduates and males. During their tenure, there was a student crisis as a result of which some of the Exco members including the President were indicted and expelled from the University. As a result, Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan became the Acting President and completed the Tenure of Mal. Abdulhameed Imam.
During her days as an SBS ABU Student and Vice President/ActingPresident SUG Main Campus, she met her first husband and father of her three children, Professor Ango Abdullahi who was then the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He always represented the then Vice-Chancellor Prof. O. O. Akinkugbe at meetings with the SUG Exco.
She married Prof. Ango Abdullahi in September 1979 after completing her SBS when her husband was still the Deputy Vice-Chancellor. He became Vice-Chancellor three months after their marriage, in December 1979. Due to her new status as a wife and mother, she switched over from being a Science Student to Arts after her first baby (girl) in 1980.
That same year (1980), Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan enrolled for a Diploma in Law at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. She had to start from the Diploma because of her pure science background. She was lacking the required Arts subjects to enroll for LLB. She proceeded to read LLB at the same ABU Zaria from October 1982 to June 1985. She went to the Nigerian Law School Lagos 1985 – 1986, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986 and did her NYSC 1986 – 1987.
