Challenge Brings Change

In 1962, I left Nigeria for the United Kingdom with nothing but a suitcase and a mixture of fear and excitement, to begin a new life. I had no idea about the challenges that were going to be ahead of me but despite the obstacles, and there were many, I became the first black girl to head a private school in England. As a young teenage woman, I challenged my father’s wishes and joined the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Fast forward to 1976, all that I had experienced and learnt over the years paved the way for me to become the first female network newscaster in Nigeria. I chose to challenge!

45 years later, I am still challenging – who I am, what my body is capable of, what my mind can conceive, and what my heart will believe. Because despite the systemic discrimination against gender equality and despite the proverbial thumb of patriarchy, women have changed the course of history because they chose to challenge.

Women like Folake Solanke - the first woman to join the Senior Advocates of Nigeria; Captain Chinyere Onyenaucheya - the first female commercial pilot; Sandra Aguebor-Ekperuoh - the first documented female mechanic in Nigeria; Ire Aderinokun - the first Nigerian woman to become a Google development expert; Mo Abudu - the first woman to own a pan-African TV channel in Africa; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – the first woman and African to head the WTO; and Kamala Harris – the first woman to not only become Vice President of the USA but also be of Black/Asian descent.

This year’s theme in celebration of the International Women’s Day cannot be any more spot on. Until we challenge, there can be no change. So, as I make this pledge, I invite you to join me to step up to the podium, embrace the light, keep your eyes steady and choose to challenge. 

#choosetochallenge #march8 #iwd2021 #internationalwomensday