June 12, another anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993. It is therefore imperative to identify and celebrate some of the outstanding women whose various roles etched on the marble of June 12.
Justice Dolapo Akinsanya is praised for her bold 1993 ruling that declared the Interim National Government unconstitutional, reinforcing judicial independence during military rule. In Northern Nigeria, Hajia Gambo Sawaba relentlessly championed women’s rights, facing repeated arrests yet remaining a potent symbol of grassroots civic resistance.
Kudirat Abiola, who led pro-democracy protests after the annulled 1993 elections and was assassinated in 1996, becoming a martyr for electoral integrity, is also commemorated today. Earlier activists Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Margaret Ekpo are also lauded: Ransome Kuti for organizing the Abeokuta Women’s Union against colonial rule and demanding political rights for women, and Ekpo for becoming the first Nigerian woman in a legislative body, advancing gender-inclusive governance.
These five “sheroes” are portrayed as architects of Nigeria’s democratic journey from colonial resistance through military repression to the Fourth Republic. Their collective legacy of courage, resilience, and advocacy underscores the vital role of women in shaping the country’s path toward inclusive governance.
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