Some women in Nigeria have shown that their gender nor physical challenges can deter them from achieving their life goals. The Qoheleth presents some of them in this edition.
LOIS AUTA-UDONKANTA
Despite suffering from polio at age two, which permanently put her in a wheelchair Lois Auta still forges ahead to find herself in competitive politics. Auta has defied every barrier she’s faced with as a woman living with a disability in Nigeria.
She is the founder of Cedar Seed Foundation, a nonprofit organization advocating for the rights of people with disabilities in Nigeria. Auta was named Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Furthermore, Auta ran for a seat in Nigeria’s lower legislative house in 2019, becoming the first female person living with a disability to do so.
“I am an advocate of inclusive legislation. I am glad that the Persons with Disabilities Bill has been recently signed, which means we will have better access to infrastructure, health care, and transportation. If I win the elections, I will sponsor bills that provide an enabling environment for persons with disabilities, especially in the area of education. I will also ensure there is a 10% (reserved quotas) in every organization for graduates with a disability,” she proffered.
SANDRA AGUEBOR
Sandra Aguebor has shown that what men can do in the area of auto mechanic, women can do better. She is the first female auto mechanic. She has managed her won garage, Sandex Car Care Garage for over 30 years. Aguebor is challenging one of the biggest stereotypes in Nigerian society, that only men can fix cars.
Inspired by her own experience, Aguebor founded the Lady Mechanic Initiative, which teaches at-risk women how to fix cars, gain skills, and become financially independent. She has trained more than 1,000 vulnerable women in five states in Nigeria.
According to her, “Becoming the first lady mechanic in Nigeria is not a bed of roses. Men have been doing this for generations. The men thought I was crazy at first. I had to work five times harder than the men to prove myself.”
ADENIKE OYETUNDE
Adenike Oyetunde lost her right leg to bone cancer at the age of 20. She was not deterred but rose to the challenge breaking barriers that brought her to limelight.
She got a law degree, and she went on to grow a successful radio career, and started the Amputee United Initiative, a campaign that advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities. She also volunteers with the Irede Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works with kids who have had amputations and provides them with prosthetic limbs.
Adenike became an advocate, media personality, author, social media influencer, and life coach. At a point, she was appointed the Senior Special Assistant to the governor of Lagos State on Persons Living with Disabilities.
Through her work, Oyetunde has been able to shed much-needed light on the challenges facing people with disabilities.
“I am trying to teach people like myself, amputees, to love themselves because society does not accept them even though it is not their fault,” she said.
KAFAYAT SANNI
Kafayat Sanni broke the barriers of the male dominated Nigeria Air Force by becoming the first female fighter pilot in Nigeria at the age of 22. She is also the first woman to go through regular combat training at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to be winged for a fixed wing fighter aircraft.
Sanni has also trained in the US and was named the overall best pilot at the NAF 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna State.
Commenting on her achievement, she said; “it was what I wanted to do. And I felt that everyone is not supposed to fold their arms and watch what is happening in our country. Everyone could always play their part. So, I did not think there was any reason for me to think that it is not possible for me to actually fly the jet because there was no female that ever flew the jet. I believed I could achieve it and I did. It is a privilege for me to be winged as the first female fighter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force.”
