Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the wife of the President, Aishat Buhari, are among guests expected at the launch of a book on women challenges and achievements written by renowned Professor of History, Bolanle Awe.
The launch of the book, entitled Nigerian Women Pioneers and Icons, is slated for 11am on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at the Muson Centre, Lagos, and is expected to attract the crème de la crème of society.
According to the book’s publisher, Tokunbo Ajasin of Childsplay Books Ltd, other dignitaries expected at the launch include the Sultan of Sokoto, governors of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti, Sokoto, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Imo, Cross River states, women members of the National Assembly, women rights groups, family members of living female icons reviewed in the book, as well as representatives of some of the deceased icons.
While the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titilayo Tomori, is expected to be the Chairman of the event, Modupe Alakija of Famfa Oil is the Chief Launcher, while the former Secretary to the Niger State Government, Professor M. K. Yahaya, will be the book reviewer.
In her initial reaction to the publication of the book, Mrs. Buhari, through her Special Assistant, Mrs. Hajo Sani, had commended the publication, centered on Nigerian women, as “beautiful and a useful resource”, promising to attend the event after her arrival from the United Nations General Assembly event.
In his own comment on the book, Obasanjo commended it as a “laudable effort” which he said will “complement her (Awe’s) seminal works on the contributions of women, both to the political and economic history of Nigeria.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the book will be a great asset to the nation and a source of inspiration to many of us, young and old.
“Indeed, the proposed public presentation of the book could not have come at a better time as I am sure the content will offer direction and guidance for the generality of Nigerians,” Obasanjo said.
The book, Nigerian Women Pioneers and Icons is a chronicle of 33 Nigerian women whose lives and achievements distinguished as outstanding, made notable contributions to the development of Nigeria and who, as pioneers, attained leadership positions in their chosen fields, in spite of erected male gender-made roadblocks, eventually becoming potential role models for young Nigerian women in a male-dominated Nigerian society.
They are, Nana Asmau, the legendary poet; Hajiya Fatima Lolo, pioneer female musician; Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti; Wuraola Adepeju Esan, educationist/politician; Lady Kofoworola Aina Ademola, foremost Oxford graduate; Margaret John Ekpo, foremost politician and pioneer parliamentarian; Irene Modupelola Thomas, renowned medical practitioner; Folayegbe Akintunde-Ighodalo, First Lady Permanent Secretary; Ladi Kwali, world acclaimed potter; Adetowun Ogunsheye, pacesetter in education; Mabel Segun; Flora Nwapa Nwakuche; Folake Solanke, first lady SAN.
Others are Grace Alele Williams, scholar; Bolanle Awe; Gambo Sawaba; Francesca Yetunde Emmanuel; Oyinade Olurin; Batule Alake, pioneer and Queen of Waka music; Bola Kuforiji-Olubi; Oluwatoyin Olusola Olakunrin; Jadesola Akande; Aisha Bridget Lemu; Aderonke Kale, first Lady Army General; Aloma Mariam Mukhtar; Joy Ogwu; Hansine Napwanijo Donli; Zaynab Alkali, novelist and feminist; Folorunso Alakija; Onyeka Onwenu; Bilikisu Yusuf, first woman newspaper editor; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Chioma Ajunwa and Chimamanda Adichie.
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