Women Politicians In Nigeria

"“I wonder why government is not doing anything to protect the copyright of artistes. These are the things that affect our economy. The music industry is a large section of the economy of this country. Why is government not paying attention, not caring? These are frustrations. Your intellectual property is your wealth and somebody is sitting on it. People are making money off someone’s work.”"

"“My mum was the one who when I was in college would write, ‘remember your music.’ She knew that I had followed the family tradition by going to school, she encouraged me to not forget the artistic side of it. There was a rule in my house that when you had done your Masters, and only after that, get your education first.”"

"“The example of her life was a teaching tool because she showed that she could stand as a woman on her own…be a contributing member of the community.”"

"“When people ask me, ‘what is it that you have,’ I tell them it is contentment. My spirit as a Christian fills me in with contentment. We are here for a purpose. Find that purpose and work towards realizing it. The challenges will come. I mean you can’t run away from them. In life there must be issues. It is only when you’re six feet deep that you don’t get them anymore. If you can put all that together and put your faith and trust in God who sent you here, you’re fulfilled.”"

"“Small minds, narrow minds can’t comprehend a great spirit when they see it. When they insist in stereotyping you, even when the evidence is there, look at them carefully, they are lacking some sort of professionalism.”"

"“These young artists of today will evolve. They will evolve. I am hoping that they will evolve. They cannot remain at the nonsensical level of shaking their bum-bum and exposing body parts. No. That’s not what your art is all about. You can express yourself that way, but please, to a certain extent, do not make music a pornographic thing,”"

"“Mistakes make you human. But the point is, how do you look at your mistakes? What are they there for? Nobody is infallible. You are going to forge ahead based on what you have learnt from them. When you fall down, you have to get up. Learn your lessons, get up and keep going even stronger.”"

"“I have learnt to keep my privacy out of the public purview especially in discussions with journalists. But there is nothing hidden in my life. I live a very open life. But I decided from day one not to discuss my family on the pages of newspapers, because it is not fair to them. They do not have the opportunity to present themselves the way they would have liked to. And that is not fair.”"

"“I don’t live like a star. When I go on stage, my reality takes nothing away from me, because I will diva you. That is my training that is my life. I will bring whatever I have to bring to the stage. I give the best performance and lift people up. When I come down from the stage, I am a mother, I am a homemaker, I am a gardener, a cleaner, I go to the market, I cook. I have never employed a cook in my life. Those are the things that rule my life.”"

"“I probably would have been somewhere buying and selling like every other woman who is trying to survive. If I didn’t have education, it would still have been the same thing. I can buy and sell at all levels, considerably.”"

"I have great admiration for market women. The incredible thing that we don’t know is that they are holding up a large sector of the economy of this country. These women that sell tomatoes, pepper, onions; that is how they raise their children. That is how they train their children up to university level. That is how they hold their families together."

"I am just an ordinary human being, a woman trying to live her life in the best way possible; dealing with the issues of life, making contributions to the society and to leave this place better than I met it. Hopefully, I can achieve that even at a personal level, because if you look at the country as a whole, the country has deteriorated. So I probably will not leave it better than I met it, unfortunately."

"“My personal memory of Dr Alvan Ikoku covers the period of the Biafra war when he made every effort to ferry my sister Ijeoma, my first cousin Ifeoma Ejindu and myself to Gabon, to save us from the war. Eventually, Ijeoma and Ifeoma were cleared to leave but I was not. I remember vividly how we all visited with the old man and knelt down to thank him for his efforts in saving us from the war. Dr Alvan was particularly touched by my show of gratitude, even though he did not succeed in getting me on the approved list and he said so. As fate would have it, the war ended just two weeks before my sister and cousin were to leave Biafra.”"

"“I cried my eyes out, with the realization that as difficult as my life was, it could not be compared with what Winnie Mandela was going through. I was no Winnie Mandela for sure, but I could identify with her loneliness and some of her pain. That night, I could not sleep. I had to put my pain to a song. I needed to give something back to Winnie for the sacrifice of her life to the Apartheid struggle, in which every decent human being had a stake. I saw her sacrifice as a global one, made by an African Woman, brave and courageous beyond words, for her man and her country.”"

"“Be careful of what you live for posterity. If you can’t give your best, don’t step out because what you recorded is always going to be there for long, so you got to give it the very best. Center your artistry around something that will last with meaning, not just shaking bumbum and it’s just the women that are always shaking it, the men don’t shake anything. Women are worth more than shaking their bumbum. Enough of the bumbum. Though, everyone is free to be creative, but just know that yours will not last while the other person with meaningful lyrics will remain evergreen.”"

"“I was targeted and abused for being an Igbo woman who came to give jobs to and elevate my people while sidelining them.”"

"“Politics must not be left in the hands of notorious people or the mediocre. We must bring our best into it and no one has a right to complain if one refuses to get into politics, and some other people ventured into it and make laws that will affect your generation yet unborn.”"

"“NTA used ‘Iyi Ogogo‘ to open and close their station for eight years, but they didn‘t pay me a kobo. They didn‘t even ask my permission. When I asked, they barred me from being shown on NTA and I went on hunger strike. They felt they were doing me a favour by using my music. Ben Bruce said ‘Don‘t touch that lady. I don‘t want to see her face, I don‘t want to hear her music on my station‘. And I said no, it wasn‘t his station, that NTA belonged to the nation. This was in 2000.”"

"It is most unfortunate that Obiano decided to remove the picture of Ojukwu on APGA uniforms and replace same with his picture, just to drive home his statement that he would no longer tie the fate and fortunes of APGA to the memory of a dead man, obviously in reference to my husband."

"12 years in wait, 7 years after our wedding and 3 children later, the father of the bride said ‘Yes’!. Enugu was shut down by a mammoth crowd as people from far and wide, distinguished personalities from all over the country as well as all the governors of the south Eastern States stormed the legendary ‘Okwor’s Fortress’, the ancient stone palace of the late High Chief Gabriel Okwor Onoh, Father of Chief C.C. Onoh, to witness this significant event. It was nothing short of a carnival!"

"Ojukwu’s personality transcends a political party. He means much more to the Igbo nation. He is the son of the ‘Rising Sun’."

"Thirty years ago this day, 4th Dec. 1988, I ventured in trepidation onto the grand stage of the National Theatre, Lagos, as a contestant in the MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN NIGERIA PAGEANT by Silverbird Productions. By the grace of God I won the contest. I was then a law undergraduate at the University of Nigeria. The rest, as they say, is history."

"My presence at the Senate will further promote APGA ideology and acceptance of the Igbo nation by other states of the country."

"Our own Barrister Bianca Ojukwu is one of our brightest and best in Igboland. She is our priceless jewel of inestimable value. A classical and celebrated beauty in her own class. She is a scholar in the best tradition. She is well brought Child, former Ambassador to Spain, former Miss Nigeria, daughter of a former Governor of the old Anambra State, Chief CC Onoh, wife of Ikemba Nnewi, former President of Biafra, a well-respected scholar, soldier of soldiers, IKEMBA Nnewi, Dikedioramma of Igboland, Onuo Onaa of Igboland. Bianca is a big fish, a jewel of inestimable value in Nnewi where I come from. Her husband Ikemba Nnewi was a lion and Hon Bianca is a lioness. Please know this and have inner peace."

"We must unite to achieve our common goal. I know you are concerned about what is happening at home. We, as an ethnic group, have been denied the presidency of Nigeria for so long. However, we cannot make progress by becoming internally divided, with some of our major stakeholders working against our collective interests. But we must not box ourselves into a corner. We must continue to build pragmatic partnerships and anchor our aspirations on strategic engagements, alliances, and negotiations which, while tapping into our collective goodwill and progressive agenda, will advance our political interests."

"Kanu’s release will further buttress President Buhari’s commitment to healing the wounds of marginalization felt by the Igbo nation."

"APGA is now like a secret cult, and this has reduced our once vibrant party to a shadow of its former self."

"Otherwise, our case will be like a one-legged athlete competing with others who have two strong legs. In essence for Nigeria not to be left behind, in the new world of inclusive sustainable development, economic prosperity and healthy environment, the girl-child of today must not be left behind in STEM education. Gone are the days when brute strength and stamina gives advantage to the male folks. With tools and techniques a woman can do any type of job."

"It must be established that we are not and should not be advocating the displacement of men from the governance stage but we must remain resolute in our calls for more women to be given the chance to be active and important partners and this is the platform this conference provides for women to understand the issues militating against them while also learning from other accomplished women."

"As a woman and a mother, I can only imagine what you have gone through managing six children, it must have been energy sapping and depressing, but I salute your courage and I want to assure you that this government will not abandon you, we will stand by you and ensure that you are assisted to get back to a normal life."

"I had never, in my wildest dreams or imaginations, thought that I would be considered for the position of the deputy governor. I will always treasure the privilege."

"History teaches valuable lessons about human nature; it also helps people to abandon incorrect assumptions. History is an inexplicable subject which leads the past and the present. That is what history subject impacts in us and that is why Lagos State Government is very particular that we have history as a subject back in our curriculum."

"The major challenge in the education sector is the shortage of man power and it is a fact that quality teaching and learning is better achieved when there are fewer students for a teacher to handle. The injection of the huge number of corps into the school system should considerably address this area of challenge."

"Islam is a religion of peace and we must continue to tell ourselves the basic truths that will help us to do things that are right before God and man. Our state has the enviable record of being a place where adherent of all faiths coexist peacefully without any rancor."

"“We just came back from UNGA; it was successful for us as a nation. The world awaits Nigeria, and investors are teeming. We came back with good news. All we inherited are things that happened many years ago. We are not here to put the blame on any administration, but to fix what has been damaged.”"

"“There is no challenge, obstacle, or difficulty that we cannot overcome or surmount if we imbibe the nature of Christ who said in Matthew 11: 28; come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ”"

"“Good governance, she said, can only be impactful if we all follow the example of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who embodied the fruit of the spirit, including love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance and forgiveness ”"

"“If we do not have hope, how do we become part of this greatness that God has started in the Nation? We find through the love of Christ, a deeper message of hope, especially, in the theme for this year’s celebration, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” ”"

"“A Nigeria of abundance has begun, and to be part of the greatness that God has started in the nation, Nigerians must look beyond their current realities and embrace hope anew.”"

"“As women, we must also continue to show strength and courage, challenging assumptions and raising the bar in our homes, businesses, our chosen careers, management and public office.”"

"Beyond the rhetoric, I challenge men and women alike to support women and their causes, condemn in absolute terms all forms of gender based violence and crimes against women, and create around you, an environment that ensures that women can flourish and thrive."

"I have seen what insecurity has meted out to Nigerians and the vulnerable group in particular women and children. State policing: if we want to go there, we should allow states that are ready."

"I went into exile as an Anglican, came out as a Pentecostal. I remember I was looking for God from one church to another, it was very difficult. When I came back, l had amnesia, I lost my memory, it was traumatic for me and that’s why I don’t like attending social gatherings because people walk up to me and I don’t recognise them anymore."

"I haven't had any problem being married to a Muslim. I even put on the hijab during their festivals as a sign of respect but it hasn't affected my faith in any way."

"Yesterday, I was inducted into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame for being the first female Senator to be elected to serve in three (3) consecutive parliaments. This is only possible because of Constituents who have continued to believe me and I do not take it for granted."

"We need more inclusiveness of women in governance, allocation of appointments, in policy making and other aspect of leadership in the country. When both sexes work together a great lot of differences would be made and our nation would be best positioned to tackle most of the problems, which plagued our budding democracy."

"My advice is that women, who are fortunate to rise to positions of power, influence or wealth must invest such in the commonwealth of women. Rather than join the “men’s club”, they must reach out and pull other women along. From the girl-child to that young struggling graduate, that lady professional in between jobs, that woman who has to joggle domestic and professional duties and the woman out there who badly needs just one opportunity to prove that she is capable, truly need our help. In little or big doses, it does not matter, just do it. Because out there are women who can and will succeed on merit if given the chance."

"As elections draw close, I urge us to be resolute in the choice of our leaders. The future is not about me, but it is about our children and the legacies we want to bequeath to them. I invite you to join me and our party, the All Progressives Congress to work for a better Nigeria."

"The change that we seek in Nigeria may appear to be far off, but let us be reassured that we have set our hands on the plough, and we will not look back until the harvest of true development, social harmony, economic progress and political emancipation is realised across the landscape of Nigerian federation."

"Everywhere in Nigeria today, there is widespread concern that poverty and unemployment continue to foster intense insecurity across the nation. Several of us in the senate are not indifferent. I want to reassure you that I will continue to work with my progressive colleagues to fight and agitate for legislation that will lead to the creation of jobs for our youths."