Stella Effah-Attoe, the National Woman Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023, after a brief illness. She was 63 years old.
Effah-Attoe was a professor of English and a former commissioner for education and information in Cross River State. She was also a member of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), the highest decision-making body of the party.
Her death was announced by the PDP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who described her as “brilliant, towering and magnificent in all spheres” and said the party was devastated by her demise.
Who was Stella Effah-Attoe?
Effah-Attoe was born on June 12, 1960, in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State. She attended the University of Calabar, where she obtained her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in English.
She joined the faculty of the same university in 1985 and rose to the rank of professor in 2005. She was also a visiting professor at several universities in Nigeria and abroad.
She authored several books and articles on literature, language, culture and gender studies. She was a recipient of many academic awards and honors, including the Fulbright Scholarship and the Commonwealth Fellowship.
Stella Effah-Attoe was also a prominent politician and a loyal member of the PDP. She served as the commissioner for education from 2007 to 2011 and the commissioner for information and culture from 2011 to 2015 in Cross River State under the administration of Governor Liyel Imoke.
She was elected as the National Woman Leader of the PDP in 2019, becoming the first woman from Cross River State to hold that position. She was responsible for mobilizing and empowering women across the country to participate in politics and governance.
She was also a vocal advocate for justice, equity, and fairness in the party and the nation. She played a key role in the rebranding and strengthening of the PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Stella Effah-Attoe’s Death, Obituary and Condolences
Obituary: Effah-Attoe’s death has elicited an outpouring of tributes and condolences from various quarters, including her family, friends, colleagues, political associates and admirers.
Her husband, Dr. Attoe Attoe, a retired lecturer and former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Calabar, said she was a loving wife and mother who devoted her life to serving God and humanity.
He said she died peacefully at their home in Calabar after a brief illness. He said she had been battling with some health challenges for some time but did not disclose the nature of her illness.
He said he was grateful for the support and prayers of well-wishers and asked for privacy as he mourned his wife.
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Stella Effah-Attoe’s children, who are based in different parts of the world, also expressed their grief and appreciation for their mother’s legacy. They said she was an inspiration to them and many others who looked up to her as a role model.
They said they were proud of her achievements and contributions to society and hoped to continue her work in their own capacities.
The PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, led a delegation of party leaders to visit Effah-Attoe’s family in Calabar on Monday. He said she was a pillar of strength and a source of wisdom for the party.
He said she would be greatly missed by all members of the PDP family and prayed for God to grant her soul eternal rest.
He also announced that the party would hold a special tribute session for her at its national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday. He said the party would also support her family in organizing a befitting burial for her.
The Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, also paid a condolence visit to Effah-Attoe’s family on Monday. He said she was a distinguished daughter of Cross River State who made remarkable impacts in various fields of endeavor.
He said she was a loyal party member who served the state with dedication and integrity. He said he had lost a friend and a sister who always gave him wise counsel and support.
He said he would honor her memory by continuing to implement policies and programs that would uplift the people of Cross River State. He also promised to assist her family in any way possible.
Other dignitaries who have sent their condolences include former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Governor Liyel Imoke, current and former members of the National Assembly, state governors, ministers, ambassadors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, women organizations, academic associations and media practitioners.
They all described Effah-Attoe as a woman of substance, a leader of excellence, a scholar of repute, a politician of principle, a champion of women’s rights, a mentor of youths, a philanthropist of generosity and a patriot of passion.
They said her death was a huge loss to the nation and prayed for God to comfort her family and grant her soul eternal rest.
A Legacy of Excellence and Empowerment
Stella Effah-Attoe will be remembered as a woman who broke barriers and achieved greatness in her chosen fields. She will also be remembered as a woman who used her influence and resources to empower others, especially women and youths.
She was a trailblazer who inspired many to pursue their dreams and aspirations. She was a visionary who foresaw the potentials and challenges of the nation and worked hard to make it better.
She was a leader who led by example and with compassion. She was a teacher who taught with passion and with wisdom. She was a mother who nurtured with love and with care.
She was a friend who related with sincerity and with loyalty. She was a human being who lived with dignity and with grace.
She was Stella Effah-Attoe, the National Woman Leader of the PDP, who died at 63. May her soul rest in peace. Amen.
