Hajiya Aishat Maina, a special adviser to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on female education, has passed away.
She passed away shortly after attending the People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential rally in Sokoto state on Tuesday.
According to Prime 9ja Online, Maina was engulfed in a stampede that happened at the Giginya Stadium exit gate, where the event took place.
“A motorcyclist fell down from his bike at the exit way of the stadium and that caused a serious stampede, with people falling upon one another. She was one of the victims,” a staff member of the Ministry of Information who sought for anonymity told our reporter.
In support of this, Ibrahim Magaji Gusau, the chairman of the Forum of Special Advisers, stated that the deceased was saved and taken for treatment to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.
“But unfortunately she died a few minutes after her admission,” he said
Magaji, who described her as hardworking and energetic, said they were together throughout last night as they were putting finishing touches to some of the items for the event.
“Even during the rally, we were together, not knowing that would be our last meeting,” he said
He prayed to Allah that He would pardon her transgressions and grant her jannatul firdaus.
The deceased was the previous chairwoman of the Sokoto state branch of the National Woman Journalists Association of Nigeria (NAWOJ).
Prior to joining the Female Education Board, she served as the former special adviser on new media for Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Isa Abubakar Shuni, a former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto state council, expressed shock over the abrupt passing of the journalist who, in his opinion, had mentored many female journalists and made a significant contribution to the growth of the profession in the state.
Three children as well as ageing parents remain.