Former Deputy Gov. Loses Husband

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

Mr. John Tallen, husband to former Plateau state Deputy Governor and Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mrs. Pauline Tallen is dead.

Mr. Tallen died on Tuesday at the age of 83 at his residence in Abuja after a protracted illness.

Mrs. Tallen was on President Buhari’s Ambassadorial nomination list sent to the Senate last October for confirmation which she turned down citing need “to take care” of her “ailing” husband and other “family matters”.

Meanwhile, the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has condoled with Tallen and her family members over the death of her husband.

The president’s wife, was received at Tallen’s residence by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung and former Governor of Plateau state, Sen. Joshua Dariye. She prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Mrs. Buhari was accompanied by wives of service chiefs and wife of Nasarawa State Governor, Mrs. Mairo Al-Makura, as well as her Senior Special Assistant, Dr Hajo Sani. Also on her entourage were wives of Gombe and Zamfara state Governors.

In his response, Dariye said Mrs. Buhari’s visit was symbolic and people of Plateau would forever remember her. He said that “your coming for condolence is very symbolic because the people of Plateau will forever remember this visit.

“It is the humility in you that brought you here, in spite of the short notice given to you about the death.’’