Dames of honour

FG honours Kudirat, Adadevoh, Tinubu and 19 others

The 12th of June would officially become the Democracy Day replacing May 29th that had since 1999 been celebrated as Democracy Day in Nigeria. June 12 has a profound historical relevance to the Nigeria’s democratic journey. It was the day in 1993 that late MKO Abiola made history in a presidential election that has been adjudged the freest and fairest in the country.

However, for the Nigerian women, the celebration would come two days earlier on June 10th when twenty two illustrious women would be inducted by the federal government into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame. This is a brainchild of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) through the Ministry of Women Affairs.

The significance of the choice of these very admirably outstanding women in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. They all stand out as beacons not only for younger women but for a nation in dire need of heroes/heroines. They would help re-direct the focus of the country towards the holistic development of the girl-child and women in general so they can contribute to national development.

It is apposite to recall the qualifying criteria, according to the DG of NCWD, Mary Ekpere-Eta, the honour is reserved for, “first woman, historic or living to achieve recognition in a field of endeavour; a significant statewide contribution to arts, athletics, business, government, philanthropy, humanities, science and education”.

The late Kudirat Abiola, as top of the list cannot be more enchantingly awesome as the nation marks the 23rd anniversary of her martyrdom. The other twenty one outstanding women are no less deserving of the honour. They have spoken loudly of the strength, ingenuity, diligence and cerebral capacity of women. They all are possibly energized by the heroines of the past, Moremi, Aba Women, Queen Amina, Hajia Sawaba, Margaret Ekpo, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti etc. who all deserve the highest honours possible beyond the hall of fame.

The list is a rainbow of excellence. From politics; besides the late Kudirat, the first Nigerian female Local government chairperson, Mma Regina Achi Nentui in the defunct Eastern Region from 1960-1962, Iyom Josephine Anenih, spearheaded the admission of females as regular combatants into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, (OON) first woman to win three consecutive elections into the Senate and the first First lady to introduce the Spelling Bee Competition in Nigeria, Senator Binta Garba, the first woman to win elections in two different states.

From health, the legendary Dr. Stella Adadevoh who gave her life by professionally curtailing the spread of Ebola in 2014 and Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Okoli, the MD of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. From business, late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, the first President General of Market Women and Men Association of Nigeria and Iyalode Alaba Lawson, first female President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). Mrs Folorunso Alakija is the richest woman of African descent.

Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu is the first female Rear Admiral in West Africa, Flt. Lt. Blessing Liman was the first Military Pilot, Captain Abimbola Jaiyeola, first Helicopter Captain who equally saved 11 lives through a controlled emergency landing on water. Maureen Madu, is the first female to coach a top club in Europe after a historic 100 appearances for the Women’s National Team.

An outstanding sense of philanthropy pushed Hajia Mariya Sanusi Dantata into the hall of fame. She feeds an average of 5000 people every day and mentors young women. Professor Adenike Osofisan is first female professor of Computer science while Mrs. Priscilla Ekwueme Eleje is the first female director of currency and the first female to sign on Nigeria’s currency. Mrs Adebimpe Balogun is the first female President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation Nigeria.

The Media is represented on the list by the late Hajiya Bilikisu Yusuf, the first female Northerner to become Editor of a national newspaper and Mo Abudu, the CEO of a Pan African television channel. Barr. (Mrs.) Oby. Nwankwo was a pioneer of gender advocacy at a continental and global level and a two-time Representative at the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee. Chief Nike Okundaye, the positively exuberantly flamboyant lecturer at Harvard even without strict formal education is an inspirational woman whose sun would continue to shine and speak of the ingenuity of the human spirit.

We commend the decision of the government and congratulate the women for their inspirational careers. However, the state of the Nigerian girl-child is still very dire. We hope that this can point to the capacity of the female to achieve just as the male and sometimes even better and engender more government action.

While we commend the recognition, we seem to have observed that too many women achievers in most sectors seem left out. This is particularly obvious with the media, liberal arts, sports, Financial sector and academia. Names like Professor Grace Alele Williams, first female Vice Chancellor, author Buchi Emecheta, first published author, Professor Bolanle Awe, renowned Professor of African history, the late Professor Sophie Oluwole, the late Jadesola Akande, first Nigerian female Professor of Law,   Mrs. Doyin Abiola, the first woman PhD holder in Mass Communication and a pioneer female MD of the defunct Concord Newspapers. In sports, Chioma Ajunwa made history in 1996 Olympics as the first woman to win an individual gold medal in long jump, we have  numerous others and some older names ought to have made the list lest their achievements be lost in history.

Recognition is as important as the value of correct data because history is made of those and the old achievers ought to be the pillars and references for the future generations. The women Affairs Ministry must make effort to get its documentation right and sustain a steady compilation for better impact and progress.

While it’s not yet uhuru for women across the world in terms of gender equality and justice, most nations have realized the value of inclusiveness to national growth given that almost half the human population is made up women. The education and health of women must be prioritized. A 180 out of 190 position on the global chat of Women in National Parliaments speak volumes of how far behind Nigeria is as opposed to a Rwanda that is number one! We are supposed to be the giant of Africa through valid actions and choices.