The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), yesterday, paid tribute to the deceased Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Aloisea Inyumba, describing her as an exemplary and dedicated leader.ICGLR Executive Secretary Prof. Ntumba Luaba said, in a statement, that Inyumba was a pillar of women empowerment, having played an important role in the establishment of the ICGLR Regional Women Forum.Inyumba, 48, was described as a pragmatist who was always creative in finding solutions to complex problems in different circumstances, a great mobiliser and a thorough negotiator.   "Her passing has robbed the Great Lakes Region and Africa a hardworking and young intellectual at a time when her services and knowledge were most needed,” the statement reads in part.The ICGLR secretariat conveyed condolences to the President, the family of the late Inyumba, the Government and people of Rwanda.ICGLR, headquartered in Bujumbura, Burundi, is a regional grouping composed of 12 countries.The late Inyumba, who lost her battle against cancer last Thursday, was laid to rest in Rusororo Public Cemetery, Gasabo District on Monday.Inyumba was the last born in a family of six.She is survived by a husband and two children – aged 16 and eight.