Senator Daisy Danjuma is a law graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with over 40 years of post-call experience. She began her career as a state counsel in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and was Company Secretary/Legal Adviser at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). In 2003, she was elected Senator, beating some formidable opponents along the way. While at the Senate, she chaired the ECOWAS Parliament’s Women and Children’s Rights Committee and the Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development. Senator Danjuma is a member of the International Bar Association (IBA) and the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), among others. Senator Danjuma, who chairs the HID Awolowo Foundation, was the special guest at the Fourth Edition of the Inspire Her Series organised by the Advocacy Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Women Forum in Lagos. She shared her experiences with women lawyers and offered tips on building a successful career. Deputy News Editor JOSEPH JIBUEZE presents highlights of the mentoring session.
Growing up
I’m the fourth child of eight children. I grew up in Benin City and Port Harcourt, partly with my aunt. Going to Port Harcourt with her changed my life. I grew up in a big house in Benin, where everything was done for us. I went to Port Harcourt to live with my aunt, who was married to a police officer. Most skills in life I acquired were through my aunt. I am a very good cook because she taught me. She would tell me, ‘Sit down, let’s cook.’ She was a trader and used to design George’s materials. She was very creative. I used to go to the market with her. When I closed from school, I would join her in the market. I acquired business skills from her. So, in my family, I’m slightly different in my upbringing. I speak Igbo in my house having learnt it in school in Port Harcourt. I actually forgot how to speak Bini, but I learnt the language again during the Civil War.
Career trajectory
I served in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. My first posting was to the DPP’s office. In the same office with me, I had Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour and Femi Lucas. It was like a family. I was later posted to the Legal Aid Council where Mrs Hairat Balogun was the assistant head. A day or two after our call to the bar, I was told I would go to court. Some of my colleagues refused to go. I survived and the case was adjourned. When they know you’re new, judges and senior lawyers would often help you in court.
First job
In life, chance and luck play a role. I walked into the office of the Chairman/CEO of investment bank Nigerian Acceptances Ltd (NAL), the late Gamaliel Onosode and I said I needed a job. He asked if I was a lawyer and I said yes. He said he needed an executive assistant and that I should start work the following day. Whatever you do, you’re not necessarily the best. I started work in the first merchant bank in Nigeria. I had colleagues who later became bank CEOs – Atedo Peterside was one of them. Onosode taught me a lot of things, including how to write minutes. I used to go to lunches with him. He later transferred me to another department. I learnt a lot there.
Marriage
When I got married, my career in NAL ended. My husband was posted to Port Harcourt. I had a good career at NAL in Lagos, but I left. In quick succession, I had two sons in 18 months. I joined the civil service. I went to see the Secretary to the Chairman of NTA. I happened to see the chairman, and I went to say hello to him. He mentioned they needed a legal adviser, and I said: ‘I’m here.’ The following day, I started work. That was how my career in NTA started. I travelled the length and breadth of Nigeria by road and I enjoyed it. Occasionally I went by air. It was a fulfilling career.
Political career
When my husband became a minister, we moved to Abuja. The late Chief Bola Ige (SAN) lived near us. He encouraged me to join politics. He said more women were needed in politics as it was in other countries. I first said I did not like politics, but he managed to convince me to go and register in my place. In fact, my joining politics was due to Chief Ige. He said he thought I was a Moroccan and Egyptian because of how I often dressed. I eventually declared interest in representing Edo South in the Senate. The first thing they said to me was: ‘Have you seen any woman in the House of Representatives?’ I said let me try. There were about eight people interested in the office. I went round to the elders, who promised to support me. Some said my father was good to them. Some asked if I spoke Bini well. I started talking to them in Bini.
Convincing the elders
The most prominent candidate was the late Col. Paul Ugbebor. The elders asked us questions. Col. Ugbebor spoke about his military career and experience. When it was my turn, I said I was a lawyer, and that in the Senate, there would be bills and laws to be made. I said there was no shooting range in the National Assembly where my opponent would be needed. I said my profession was more relevant. The elders started laughing. The elders decided they would support me. So we went to primaries and I defeated him. He went to another party. At the election, I won. I did not know he went to court. One day I got a call that I won the case. I did not give any judge a penny or go to anyone for help. It was a country where everything worked right. Trying to convince very traditional people that a woman should be in such a position was very difficult. I would not have been able to do it if I didn’t have the resources. I had the resources to fight my cause.
Campaigning
When it was time to campaign for Senate, some did not believe I could speak Bini. But I defeated them from that angle because I was already a master in the language.
Senate experience
Knowledge of the Law was an advantage for me in the Senate. I was sworn in in June, and in July I went to the Commonwealth Conference in Nairobi. I was told I would represent Nigeria on the executive. On the flight, I read up about Commonwealth Parliament. After speaking at the conference, the Secretary of the Commonwealth Association asked how long I had been in the National Assembly, and I said I only got there last month. He asked if I was a teacher or lecturer, that I was so confident. I told him it may be because I was used to talking to people. At the Commonwealth, I became an executive member. They wanted me to be the chair of the female section. My stint in the National Assembly was interesting. One of the things I fought against was female genital mutilation (FGM).
How childhood shaped my life
As a child, I was told I had big eyes, a long neck like a giraffe, and that I had the tendency to get tall. I was told I would not find a husband if I grew too tall. My hair was brownish. Maybe because I felt I was not pretty – I was never a bridesmaid to anyone like my sisters – it probably gave me a fighting spirit, a zeal to be determined to excel and to be strong. But those attributes became fashionable later on. When I was in university, modelling agencies were asking me to model for them.
Why I fought FGM
FGM was practised where I come from, but in my family, my grandfather banned it. Nobody in my family was circumcised because the first daughter died while being circumcised. So, all my generation and my aunts were not circumcised. I decided it was something I was going to tackle. I decided to work with religious leaders and traditional rulers to get to the root of it. I went to the Oba of Benin and spoke to him. I went to various churches. I organised a summit and invited women’s groups, gynaecologists and doctors. Experts came from Ghana, Gambia, Namibia and other friends from the Commonwealth. I invited youth leaders. I raised the point that people practise FGM to prevent promiscuity. But I noted that some of our girls who were circumcised were in the sex trade. I emphasised that the purpose has been defeated and that FGM does not prevent promiscuity. I also worked on providing alternative employment for the women who were in the trade. There were about 25 in my constituency alone. The Edo House of Assembly also passed a bill to ban FGM. We raised funds to give the women to start another trade. That was how I was able to stop it in my constituency. I also made appearances on radio and television to speak about it.
Addressing leadership challenges
A major problem with the country is non-adherence to the rule of law. Anybody who errs should be punished. People should not do things and get away with it. If the rule of law is not in place, we won’t have an orderly society and things won’t work.
Policy consistency important
Stable policies attract foreign investment. Some are scared to invest due to policy inconsistencies, so we need good leadership and consistent policies.
Tips for those aspiring to join politics
Start going to where you wish to be. Let them know you. All the political parties are almost the same, so join the one where you stand the best chance. But build your careers. Is being a politician a career? I see people who say they are politicians when asked what their career is. They will say ‘I am a politician’. We have to change the narrative.
‘Be the best you can ‘
Whatever you do, do it well. Be creative; be innovative. Strive to be the best in whatever you do. Support yourself first. You must go halfway for someone to push you higher. You have to do something for others to support you. You must work hard and have integrity and people will support you. Have confidence and don’t make yourself cheap. Mistakes are fine; you will learn from them so don’t be afraid of making mistakes. You must develop a strong, patient, persevering and resilient attitude.
Work, life balance
Planning is essential. When you have children, don’t leave them alone. Create that time – a few hours after work, weekends. Create that time. Make sure you balance things. Also, take care of your mental health. Do the things you love; learn something new.
Finding opportunities
Go for ‘owambe’ (parties). Attend social gatherings, clubs and churches. Network. Be accessible. Some of you when you make little money, you stop picking up calls. I don’t give my phone to a personal assistant to pick up my calls. I answer my calls myself. No one carries my bags. Pick your calls yourself. Accessibility is the first step for those who wish you join politics.
‘Women should support women’
If women decide to vote for only women, we’ll have a woman president because we’re more in number than men. More women should be in policy and decision-making positions. We need more women on board. All the countries that have succeeded have many women in government and in their cabinets. We should stop the pull-down syndrome.
‘I had no godfather’
My parents were my mentors. In politics, I had no godfather. I had the resources and willpower to fight, but being in the right party helped too.
Dealing with sexual harassment
I never experienced sexual harassment. Maybe it’s more to do with my mien and carriage. I don’t suffer fools gladly and I would tell you off immediately. Don’t suffer from low self-esteem otherwise, people will take advantage of you. Build up your self-confidence. I had many skills so I could have also been self-sufficient. I could manage events and I could make wedding cakes and other pastries. I acquired many skills.
Tips for married career women
Your home is your first constituency. You need to be able to communicate well. Build a closer relationship with your husband. Always reassure him that you’re there for him. When you have money, still be yourself. Don’t change. Some of you, when you have little money, your husbands cannot control you anymore. It should not be so.
If your husband is in a career, strive to grow with him. You have to grow with your husband. Let your level change with his level. Do something to improve yourself. If he’s posted to Abuja, follow him, then enrol for a programme at the university there and improve yourself too.
‘Learn time management’
You must learn how to manage your time. I love cooking. I come back from work, I remove my jacket and I’m in the kitchen. A friend once said I was too big to be removing the jacket and entering the kitchen to cook, but I made sure I cooked myself. I enjoyed it, so it was not stressful for me. Some women would say: ‘I don’t cook.’ That’s rubbish. I don’t admire women who don’t cook.
‘Be contented’
Contentment is the best virtue in life. When you envy others, you will be ill. You will no longer enjoy anything. What you cannot change, live with it. Make the best of a bad situation to favour you.
Getting your husband’s support
I have a husband who does not discriminate. He encourages me. But you have to build him a good home. I give him good food. I built my home. I do the right things at home, so why would he not encourage me? He even made me chairman of a company. Build your relationship. Integrity is also important. As a wife or mother, manage your time well. With integrity and focus, you can go to the next step and achieve what you want in life.
