The month of March: Celebrating Nigerian women

There are always many reasons to celebrate women – as mothers, sisters, wives, or friends. Or as community members who contribute immensely to the development of society.

For every woman celebrated, however, there are many others who have made huge impact, yet remain unacknowledged.

• Women’s March: Celebrating Oby’s passion for a new Nigeria
• Okorocha’s Son-In-Law Shot During Brawl Over Seized Property To Be Flown Abroad

They are heroines, albeit unsung ones.

To recognise these women and their footprints on the sands of the development of humanity, the month of March – all 31 days – has been set aside in some parts of the world.

Women’s History Month

Throughout March, in Australia, the UK and the US, the Women’s History Month is celebrated to recognise the contribution of women to events that happened in history and in contemporary society.

The Month is also celebrated elsewhere, but at other times of the year.

Although it is not officially celebrated in Nigeria, there are many women who have contributed, like their counterparts in other climes, to the historical and contemporary development of society.

On selected days in March, Daily Trust intends to bring you highlights of the achievements of some Nigerian women who have left a mark in their communities or the country or even on the international scene.

The 8th day

Talking about the international scene, more recognisable, perhaps, in the month of March is the International Women’s Day (IWD).

Celebrated globally, the IWD is declared to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

And the theme for this year is #ChooseToChallenge. It is chosen because “a challenged world is an alert world. And from challenge comes change”.

That is why we begin our series with a woman who is passionate about changing Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili.

The Nigerian women:

Oby Ezekwesili: An untiring activist for change: she founded the #RedCardMovement to advocate for the sort of change she believed Nigeria needed, but which other politicians were not ready for. She also co-founded the #BringBackOurGirls movement to put pressure on government to save the Chibok girls.