Mama Ataguba touched many lives with advocacy, mobilisation

The deceased renowned philanthropist and women’s campaigner, Chief (Mrs) Margaret Adija Ataguba (nee Haruna), has been described as one who touched many lives with advocacy, convening and mobilising groups for the advancement of women and children’s causes.

Her son, Emmanuel Ataguba, said their mother and matriarch died at the age of 87, noting that Mama Ataguba, who is a retired proprietor and founder of the Aunty Margie Nursery and Primary School in Makurdi, as chairman of the Benue State Women’s Association, founder of Ebulejonu Daughters Development Association (EDDA), initiated, designed and popularised the iconic achi Igala, a colourful woven cloth that has become the symbolic traditional colours of Igala people.

Mama Ataguba was a member of the Benue State Public Accounts Committee, member of the Benue State Committee on War Against Indiscipline (WAI), member of the Benue State Committee on Nursing/Midwifery, member of the Task Force on the Makurdi Modern Market, member, NTA (zone C) Committee and president of the Benue State chapter of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS).

Also, she was the national treasurer of the NCWS under the leadership of the late Hajiya Leila Dogonyaro; and together, they raised the profile of the NCWS to the national treasure that it is today. Mama was a strong Christian who disciplined many in the Christian faith, mentoring many women/widows as a founding director of the Igala Women of Faith.

After 70 years of marriage, Mama Ataguba, who was devoted to family and community as a princess of the Ife Kingdom in Kogi State, lost her husband, Baba Joseph Ejima Ataguba (MON), retired permanent secretary and career public administrator.

She is survived by six children, 9 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, among who are Emmanuel Ataguba, a retired Director of Legal Services at the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), now the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC); Noel Ataguba,  a retired manager, finance at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and now a real estate guru; Rowland Ataguba, a renowned international railway consultant and managing director of Bethlehem Rail; Taiye Harry-Doherty, an international health care practitioner; Ajuma Ataguba, a global innovation ecosystem expert and managing director of the Founder Institute (FI); and Ora Ataguba, a renowned entrepreneur and managing director of Luffa Factory.

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