As we are all celebrating international women’s day today let us take a stroll back to history and see various roles played by Nigerian women in our national development. One woman that readily comes to mind as first point of reference is the *Lioness of Lisabi* and *anti-colonial female activist* Mrs Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti who was the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria. Also her role in revolting against unfair taxation imposed on egba women by the colonial grandmasters can never be forgotten.
Her grand daughter Yeni Anikulapo Kuti who is fondly called YK Power has also shown that it flows in the gene to always break barrier of what many would ordinarily see as a male job. Yeni Kuti has taken the legacy of her father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti to the epoch . Her brainchild Felabration a yearly event in honour of Fela Anikulapo Kuti is one of the most widely recognised event in the world tourism calendar today . Other women who should be force to reckon with are the forerunners of Nigerian Music like Batile Alake who popularised the Waka music genre, Oladunni Decency who was one of the foremost female Juju Musician. Recognition should also be given to the Elegant Stallion Onyeka Onwenu for her contribution to indigenous music repertoire . Yinka Davies and Stella Monye shouldn’t also be left out for bridging the gap between the old and young female musicians in Nigeria.
Respectable Screen Divas like Joke Silver, Taiwo Ajai Lycett, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, etc can’t be left out of such recognition too.
Popular role models in the broadcasting sector who created the path for many of todays generations should be acknowledged ie Ronke Ayuba, Julie Coker, Abike Dabiri, Betty Irabor, Ruth Benemesia, Bunmi Sofola, etc just to mention a few.
Also in sport we have Chioma Ajunwa, Falilat Ogunkoya, Ayisat Falode,etc
Others are Margaret Ekpo ( First Female Political Activist), Adetowun Ogunsheye( First Female Professor), Ladi Dosei Kwali( Pioneer of modern Pottery), Grace Alele Williams( First Woman to Obtain a PHD in Mathematics), Mo Abudu( First Female to own a Pan African TV Channel), Francesca Emmanuel ( First Female Permanent Secretary).
Nigerian women’s right should be properly protected, recognised and represented in public consciousness and discussion during International Women’s Day Celebration.