My curiosity has brought more harm to me than good, yet I don’t give up on it. Like it is said, that healthy curiosity kills ignorance. In my quest with curiosity, I found the need to lift the shroud of silence that has been draped over the lot of the Nigerian heroes of the Feminine gender.
My curiosity has brought more harm to me than good, yet I don’t give up on it. Like it is said, that healthy curiosity kills ignorance. In my quest with curiosity, I found the need to lift the shroud of silence that has been draped over the lot of the Nigerian heroes of the Feminine gender.
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Have you ever been curios to the extent of wondering why no woman, is singly honoured with a space on the Nigerian currency? From coins to notes, only one known woman appeared and she did not even grace the front side but the rear part of the twenty Naira note. Ladi Kwali is the only Lady on any Nigerian currency. The question my curious mind asks is; why? Why is she the only one? Have we not as a people had great women who have done great things to improve us? Do we not posses heroes who are priviledged to be female? Have we not been blessed with virtuous women of hard working and goal getting descent?
Dr. Hadiza Ladi Kwali Hajiya, the only known woman on any Naira Note, was born in 1925 in a village in Gwari region in northern Nigeria. She worked with an Aunt as an apprentice in pottery, and became so good at it that it became her. Her works became so great that they soon crossed the borders of the Nigerian state for many European Nations.
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In 1960, her works in pottery were displayed at The Nigerian Independence day. She was awarded OON (officer of the [order of the] Niger), as well as a Honourary Doctorate degree by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Ladi kwali represented Africa’s rich Pottery heritage beyond the Nigerians shores to the extent that she was awarded OBE (0fficer of the [order of the] British Empire), by the British Government.
This giant stride of Dr. Kwali has made her secure a spot on the Nigerian currency as the only known female on the Nigerian currency from coins to notes. Since we are working towards a gender sensitive Nation, why should we have eight different notes and just with one woman and even on the rear part of that one. Are we to believe that no other Nigerian woman has been able to match strides that can “buy” them a spot on the Naira?
HAJIYA HADIZA LADI KWALI WITH HER HANDIWORK.
Join me as we take a look at notable Nigerian women and contemplate a spot for them on the Naira.
QUEEN IDIA: Queen Mother Idia was the mother of Esigie the Oba of Benin from 1504-1550, she is one of Nigeria’s greatest Female Warrior. She paved the way for Nigerian women of yester years and present times to have their part in decision-making as touching the political issues. Queen Idia was instrumental to the ascension of her son to his Father’s throne after battles which she played defining roles in attaining victory.
Idia was the first Queen Mother of Benin Kingdom; many masks (Sculptures) were made carrying the face of Queen Mother Idia, which heralded the Benin Carving culture which the West envies. These masks went on to be the Signature of African culture and arguably the most common face in the History books of African Culture.
MADAM EFUNROYE TINUBU: The story of slave trade in Nigeria will not be complete without the input of this great woman from Egbaland. Madam Tinubu was a stern adversary of the Colonial government and the first Iyalode of Egbaland. She was actively involved in slave trading, but withdrew from the business when she realized the ill treatment that differentiated domestic slavery from transatlantic slave trade. She became a strong opponent to the length that she was expelled from Lagos to her native land (Egba) Abeokuta. Her giant strides would not be overemphasized if given a spot on the Naira.
MARGARET EKPO: Popularly referred to as the first female political activist in Nigeria. She was an active member of NCNC and she represented Nigeria in Inter-Parliamentary Union conference in 1964. She was also present as a Nigerian delegate at World women’s international domestic Federation conference also in 1964.
As an active Political activist, she was a Member of Parliament government of Nigeria from 1960-1966. She also represented women Interest at the Nigerian constitution conference in 1953, 1957 and 1959. She played great political roles alongside Hajiya Gambo Sawaba and Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti.
OLUFUNMILAYO RANSOME KUTI: Funmilayo is well known as the First woman to drive a car in Nigeria, and also as the Mother of Political Musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. But Funmilayo goes way beyond this and has been seen by many as the greatest woman to come out of Nigeria.
Olufunmilayo was born in Abeokuta, Ogun state Nigeria on the 25th day of October 1900. She grew up to become an Educationist, Politician, and Women’s right activist. Funmi was born in an era when women were only seen but not heard, in an era when greatness was not an option for the women, in an era when women were second class citizens of the world. Yet she singled herself out as one of the greatest leader of her generation. She challenged the status quo from time to time and always wanted to do better what a man could do, apart from being the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria, she was also the first woman to ride a bike.
The “Lioness of Lisabi” as nicknamed by The West African Pilot, fought for Women right to vote in Nigeria. At some point during the British reign, women were allotted separate tax rate, and she successfully abolished this “gender injustice”. She was also successful in founding Nigerian Women Union and Abeokuta Women Union with Eniola Soyinka (Mother to Prof. Wole Soyinka). She was also known to have started Female Adult literacy program in the country. “The mother of Africa” as she is also known was one of the delegates that negotiated Nigeria’s independence with the British government and paved the way for women in Nigerian Politics.
In 1965 she was awarded OON (officer of the order of Niger) and an honorary Doctorate degree of Law by the University of Ibadan in 1968. She was claimed to have been assassinated for political reasons but succeeded in handing activism to her three sons; Fela, Beko and Olikoye Ransome Kuti. She is no doubt worthy of a spot on the Nigerian Currency.
Speaking with Ladies at random from University of Ibadan and Bowen University, it was interesting to know that many of them had no idea of any spectacularly great woman, but gave their opinions.
EXCERPTS:
Question: Who is the greatest Nigeria woman ever?
Idowu Omobolanle, 200Level Sociology (University of Ibadan): “Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, my Mom said she did some activism, I don’t really know...the paradox might even be that those renowned ones might not be much of a hero as the ones we forget in many homes”.
Justina Olayinka, 300Level MBBS (Bowen University): No Idea
Omotolani Babayemi, 200Level Physics and Solar energy (Bowen University): “speaking of the greatest, I really don’t know but for me, my woman, Bimbo Odukoya”.
Victoria Osuji, Graduate, Association of Faculty of Arts Students’ President2010/2011 (University of Ibadan): After a study, gave me a list of Nigerian Female Pioneers; “Dr Bertha Johnson- 1st female Psychatric, Mrs Chinyere Oyenaucheye- 1st female pilot, Bisi ugowe- 1st Female D.IG NPF, Dr Elizabeth Awoniyi Abimbola-1st female Doctor, Dr Doyin Abiola-1st Female Editor National Newspaper, Prof. Elfrida Adeho-1st Female Prof, Mrs L Okunnu- 1st Female Deputy Gov, Wura Esan, 1st female senator, Mrs Rosemary Ukeje-1st female Judge, Margaret Ekpo-1st Female Political Activist, Efunroye Tinubu- 1st Female to buy a car, Lady Virginia Etiaba of Anambra State-1st Female governor”.
Many other great women of Nigerian origin are going or even gone unheralded, the likes of Simbiat Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, who fought against oppressive tendencies of Military governments. Kofo Ademola leading the way, as the first Nigerian woman to obtain a University Degree, Grace Alele Williams, First female Vice Chancellor in Nigeria, Flora Nwapa, Buchi Emecheta, Prof. Elfrida Adeho, Queen Amina of Zaria and many more.
Conclusively, this piece is not to paint those on the Nigerian Currency as not worthy of the spot, as some have argued the presence of Clement Isong and Aliyu Mai-Bornu, asking if Charles Soludo will be there someday. But is aimed at exhibiting Nigerian Mothers of great Quality, and recommend them for years ahead and Notes to come.
GOD BLESS OUR MOTHERS
GOD, SAVE NIGERIA.
---TIJANI, OLUWAMAYOWA EMMANUEL.
• Tijani is a seasoned student journalist and a member of The Union of Campus Journalist, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
• He is also the Present Editor-in-Chief of Mellanby Hall Press Organisation, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
• And above all, a concerned Nigerian.
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