NOTABLE WOMEN OF NIGERIA

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRO
THE GEOGRAPHY

LOCATION

MAP

STATES, CAPITALS, & LINKS

LAND & CLIMATE

RIVERS

TOWNS & CITIES
PATRIOTIC STUFF

FLAG

COAT OF ARMS

NATIONAL ANTHEM

NATIONAL PLEDGE

MOTTO
PEOPLES

POPULATION

RELIGION
     -CHRISTIANITY
     -ISLAM
     -TRADITIONAL
     -INFLUENCE

ETHNIC GROUPS
     -YORUBA
     -IBO (or IGBO)
     -HAUSA (& FULANI)
     -OTHERS
CULTURES & CUSTOMS
LANGUAGES & INTRO

LANGUAGES
     -YORUBA ALPHABET
        & LANGUAGE
     -IBO ALPHABET & LANGUAGE
     -HAUSA ALPHABET
        & LANGUAGE
     -LINKS TO OTHERS

LANGUAGE RESOURCES
     -GENERAL RESOURCES
     -YORUBA RESOURCES
     -IBO RESOURCES
     -HAUSA RESOURCES
     -OTHERS
MORE ON LANGUAGES
     -NUMBERS
     -PEOPLE
     -BODY PARTS
     -HOUSE PARTS
     -PLACES
     -OTHER WORDS
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES
NAMES & ORIGINS

YORUBA NAMES
     -THE NAMING CEREMONY
     -COMMON PARTS
     -CIRCUMSTANTIAL NAMES

IGBO NAMES

HAUSA NAMES

LINKS ON NAMES
MARRIAGE & FAMILY

THE WEDDING

MARRIAGE TIDBITS

FAMILY TIDBITS

OTHER SOURCES
FOODS AND DRINKS

INTRO

SOME MEALS

SOME DRINKS
RECIPES

RECIPES

LINKS
FOOD: BUYING & DINING

BUYING (ingredients and food)

DINING (restaurants)
HEALTHCARE

TRADITIONAL HEALTH

CURRENT HEALTH POLICY

INFO FOR TRAVELERS

WOMEN ON THIS PAGE

The women outlined on this page, sorted alphabetically by last name, are:

Kudirat Abiola
Simbiat Abiola
Lady Kofo Ademola
Toyin Adewale
Queen Amina of Zaria (added on July 29)
Moremi Ajasoro
Christina Anyanwu
Bolanle Awe
Lola Ayorinde
Buchi Emecheta
Rebecca Ikpe
Major General Aderonke Kale
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Dr. Bene Madunagu
Flora Nwapa
Chief Bisi Ogunleye
Dr. Elizabeth Dupe Ojo
Synclair
Mrs. Bisoye Tejuosho
Madam Tinunbu
Hajara Usman
Mrs. Grace Alele Williams
Diana Wiwa

The following are links to groups of women:

In politics, some interesting articles are:

article1 (from 1999)
article2 (from March 6, 2000)

Kudirat Abiola

She was the second wife of MKO Abiola. She was assassinated on June 4, 1996.

When MKO Abiola was imprisoned in 1994, she launched a campaign for democracy and human rights.
- held pro-democracy rallies
- defied the military decree banning political associations
- presented victims of military repression to international fact-finding missions. Gave multiple interviews nationally and internationally.
- continued to call for her husband's release, though her and her family were under constant harassment by the government (by the way, her husband never saw her or his other family until he died later in 1998)
By staying persistent and courageous, inspired many people, especially women.
Won "Woman of the Year" award in both 1994 and 1995.
I'm not sure about this, but I believe there is a radio station called "Radio Kudirat". So far, I have not been able to get to this link which would have information on it, I think.

LINKS

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Mrs. Simbiat Abiola

She was the first wife of MKO Abiola, and is believed to have been instrumental in making him who he became. He was poor when he married her. She was opposed to politics, and pushed him as a businessman, which eventually led to his wealth. She died in 1992 (of a disease I think), and Haja Queen Salawa Abeni composed a tribute to her.

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Lady Kofo Ademola

Lady Kofo Ademola, the first Nigerian woman to receive a university degree (Oxford).

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Toyin Adewale

A Nigerian writer whose books became popular enough to be translated into German.

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Moremi Ajasoro

A pre-colonial Yoruba woman who saved Ile-Ife from invaders.

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Queen Amina of Zaria

She was queen of Zaria for a while, and well known for her military exploits, as well as building the walls of Zaria which still stand today. You can find out more about here from www.abcorpaffairs.com/gallery/21gal.htm

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Christina Anyanwu

She is an editor of The Sunday Magazine

Published a report about the arrest of authors of an attempted coup in March 1995. The SSS said that in the issue of The Sunday Magazine dated 19 March 1995 (published on 13 March), she had printed a list of 19 names of presumed "plotters" arrested for attempting to overthrow the government on 1 March. She was released on 22 March because of lack of evidence, but on 31 May she was arrested again and taken straight to prison. Was convicted of "publishing false information" and initially sentenced to life imprisonment which was later reduced to 15 years (was released by Abubakar after the death of Abacha).
In 1995 (December 9th) was awarded the Reporters Sans Frontières-Fondation de France annual prize. Wole Soyinka received it on her behalf, saying that he did not expect Nigeria's military leaders to annul the conviction but that "for her, for her three fellow prisoners and for all journalists in Nigeria, this prize is first and foremost a symbol of moral support and a valuable sign of international recognition". On October 21, 1998, she (along with 4 other women) was honored by a U.S.-based women's media foundation for her courage on the job.
Won the Courage in Journalism Award from the African Women's Media Center.
Won the 1997 CPJ International Press Freedom Award.

LINKS:

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Bolanle Awe

At one time (maybe still is) the director of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ibadan (Nigeria).

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Lola Ayorinde

(Article from May 1999):

A Nigerian local councillor, Lola Ayorinde, is set to become the first black Mayor of the south London borough of Wandsworth.

She will take up office at a ceremony on 19 May when the current Mayor hangs up her regalia.

Ayorinde, who was born in Nigeria, is married with four children and has lived in the borough for the past 25 years.

Wandsworth, with a population of 266,000, is one of the most affluent boroughs in Britain.

Ayorinde is not altogether unfamiliar with the post, having been deputy Mayor between 1996 and 1997.

Representing the Conservative Party, she has served in various local committees.

''Becoming the Mayor of Wandsworth is beyond my wildest dreams,'' Ayorinde said.

''It will be a cherished privilege and honour to serve the people"

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Buchi Emecheta

At a young age, Buchi Emecheta overcame many hardships to obtain her education in a time when educating girls was not a priority. She got married in her mid-teens and eventually joined her husband in London, where she was made to provide financially for an abusive husband and the children they kept having. She later left him - she was 22 years old, alone, broke and had 5 children to take care of by herself, and thus had to go on welfare. She was determined to rise from poverty, be a good mother, and get her college education. She got her Sociology degree while working and raising 5 kids, and later went on for an advanced degree. She also continued to write, and eventually became one of the best and most internally known women writers that Nigeria can boast of, writing books for both young and old, and getting her education while raising her children by herself. Some of her books talk about her life, and as you can see from the links below, she is studied in many Universities.

LINKS:

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Rebecca Ikpe

She is a sister-in-law to Colonel R.S.B. Bello-Fadile, a legal advisor to the Government, who was believed to have been one of the alleged coup plotters in 1995.

Charged with treason and jailed for support of her brother-in-law. Accused of being an 'accessory to treason' by distributing his defense submission.
Recognized by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience.
Initially sentenced to life imprisonment, which was later reduced to 15 years. Released by Abubakar after he took over.

LINKS:

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Major General Aderonke Kale

The highest ranking female officer in the Nigerian Army. (She retired from the army a couple of years ago.)
A medical doctor by profession and worked in the Nigerian Army Medical Corps.

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Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

She was a women's right activist in the early 1900's.
She was the first Nigerian lady to drive in Nigeria.
She fought the military against the unjust arrest of her son (Fela) and sustained an injury to her leg of which the resultant compilations allegedly led to her death.
Mother to Beko Ransome-Kuti and Fela Kuti.
Has many other accomplishments, so if you know of them, please tell me cause she is hardly on the web.

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Dr. Bene Madunagu

She is a biologist and the head of botany at the University of Calabar in Nigeria.
In 1982, was a co-founder of the feminist organization, Women In Nigeria (WIN).
She is the founder and chair of Girls' Power Initiative, Nigeria, which is an organization to promote self-esteem among young women and girls.
In 1995, she received an award from the MacArthur Foundation Fund for Leadership Development.
She served as a member of the National Task Force on Sexuality Education.
She was a member of the committee to institutionalize women's studies in tertiary institutions.
She is the
- Zonal Coordinator (covering ten states) of the Coalition of Nigerian NGOs on Health, Population and Development.
- Zonal Coordinator for the International Reproductive Rights Research Group (IRRRAG), Nigeria chapter;
- Anglophone West Africa focal point for DAWN;
- African Regional Coordinator of the DAWN Programme on Reproductive Rights and Population.

LINKS:

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Flora Nwapa

She was a famous Nigerian writer who is mostly known for being the first African woman to publish a book in English. She was also an administrator, teacher, cabinet minister and owned her own publishing company. She died in 1993 at the age of 62.

LINKS:

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Chief Bisi Ogunleye

Began helping women organize themselves by donating one month's salary to a group of rural women so that they could start their own businesses.
When loans were repaid, the money was reinvested in other groups.
In 1982, founded COWAN - the Country Women Association of Nigeria, with six cooperatives of 150 members. Now, that has grown to over 1400 groups and over 31000 active members across numerous states in Nigeria.
In 1993, COWAN incorporated CEDSHA - Center for Development and Self-Help Activities, which was created (by her husband Peter) for young women, and rural women.
In 1994, partnered with CEDPA (Center for Development and Population Activities) to aid with health and family planning issues.
Through COWAN, she established NARWA - Network of African Rural Women Association, which has programs in credit, agriculture, and small business development.
She serves as co-chair of the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO).
Is one of the women on the United Nations Earth Council.
1996 Laureate of the Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger from The Hunger Project.

LINKS:

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Dr Elizabeth Dupe Ojo

In February 1999, Dr. Elizabeth Dupe Ojo, won the Commission of Community and Non-Formal Education Award from the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education in November 1998. The award was given during the Association's annual conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, and Dr. Ojo was cited for her participation as a board member in the organization, for being the chair of the Minority and Human Rights Unit and for her involvement with Women in Higher Education in Tennessee. The news that she won this national award was published on the front page of her city's local newspaper and in her university's newsletter with her picture on the front page.

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Synclair

Even though she is German but she has been Yorubanised. She is now one of the highest Oshun priestess in Oshogbo.

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Mrs. Bisoye Tejuosho

She was the Iyalode of Egba / Abeokuta (and the mother of Dapo Tejuosho). She's was a very industrious woman in the manufacturing industry. She established 'Teju foam and other companies.

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Madam Tinunbu

She was the first Iyalode of Egbaland. She became filthy rich as a slave trader having her headquarters at Abeokuta. When she visited Badagry and realized the inhumane condition slaves are subjected to by the White man, she became an abolitionist. She spent a great deal of her wealth on the abolition of slavery. Tinunbu Square in Lagos Island was named after her for her gallantry.

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Hajara Usman

(Picture is compliments of BAOBAB.)

She died in Amsterdam in September of 1998, after a brief illness.

Joined Women in Nigeria (WIN) in the mid-1980's and was the National Secretary for two terms.
Was a research fellow in the Center for Social and Economic Research at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria.
One of the first participants in the annual Gender Institute of CODESRIA (Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa).
Among the founders of the Women's Studies Network in Nigeria.
Played a prominent role in the International Reproductive Rights Research Action Group (IRRRAG) as the Project Coordinator for the North of Nigeria.
Founding member of Women in Independence, Self-Sufficiency and Economic Advancement (WISSEA).
Organized and formed teams that undertook research in 12 states, involving legal matters and documentation.
Coordinator of the Women and Laws Nigeria Project of the International Solidarity Network of Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML).
Co-founded BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights, during which she
- was involved in solidarity work with those protesting abuse of their human rights
- tried to develop women's rights under Muslim, customary, and statutory laws
- was involved in the training and capacity building for activists
- pursued the development of legal literacy materials
- researched and published papers
Important player in NGO (non-governmental organization).

LINKS

WARN Report mentions a book that she participated in writing
Gender training in Nigeria from The British Council, SDG: Network Newsletter 14

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Grace Alele Williams

Mrs. Grace Alele Williams was one of the first Nigerian women to obtain a PhD.

She was also the first female Vice-Chancellor (Benin 1985-1991).

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Diana Wiwa

was involved in the struggle for human rights and environmental issues.
was a student leader at the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria
was elected Organizing Secretary of the National Youth Council of Ogoni people (the youth version of MOSOP - the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People)
international representative of the Federatioin of Ogoni Women Association (FOWA)
coordinator of MOSOP Canada.
international recognition for carrying the message worldwide about the military dictatorship, shell oil, Ogoni land.

Also, she is the wife of Dr. Owens Wiwa, brother of executed Ken Saro-Wiwa.

LINKS:

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