DAME JONATHAN AND HER 50 "WOMEN OF DISTINCTION" AWARDEES

Sir,

DAME JONATHAN AND HER 50 "WOMEN OF DISTINCTION" AWARDEES

After going through ThisDay and Leadership newspapers September 23, 2010 wherein fifty (50) "Nigeria Women of Distinction" published lined up for recognition by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to mark Nigeria’s 50th Independent Anniversary; I wish to make some worthy comments. Let us agree that it is the prerogative of the First Lady to so choose, I feel there were unworthy names among those listed. If the First Lady was thoroughly sincere, a little research would have helped her.

Why Dr. Doyin Abiola should make the list could not be ascertained safe to assuage the loss MKO Abiola’s family sustained on June 12 issue. This could also be to dissuade the family’s support of IBB’s bid. For post-humors; why only Mrs. Mariam Babangida? There were political activists like late Mrs. Margaret Ekpo and Mrs. Ransome-Kuti (Fela’s mother)?

Women who distinguished in heading various professional institutions and organizations like Professor Grace Alele Williams (First Female VC), Dame Presilia Kuye, Chief (Mrs.) Bola Kuforiji-Olubi (ICAN ex-Presidents), Senator Lady Eme Ekaette (Pharmacists Association ex-President), made the list but one did not see someone like Chief (Mrs.) Christy Essien Igbokwe who as a young girl brought dignity (to women musician) and at age 22 single-handedly initiated the formation of PMAN, a Union that both the living and late musical legends associated/associate with. She refused initially but later became elected two-term President to revive almost-moribund Union and till date remains the only female that has presided over it. In addition, this lady brought succor to the littoral States; now enjoying 13% oil derivation made possible by her persuasion that enabled the abrogation of off/onshore oil dichotomy.

One could understand Ms Onyeka Onwenu making the list because she sang "Run Jonathan Run" towards Jonathan 2011. But one is at a loss how ex-Speaker of the Federal House of Representative, Mrs. Patricia Etteh, who was disgraced out of office but recently given OFR by President Jonathan, made First Lady’s list. The OFR President Jonathan gave her merited many media condemnations and now First Lady Patience Jonathan is honouring her, for what? We have Dame Virgy Etiaba of Anambra State, who can be said to be the first female State Governor; she was believed to have performed better than even Governor Obi, during her stint. What is Hajia Bola Shagaya there for; one wonders when showing off fashions translated to "Distinction". We all know Mrs. Farida Waziri and her job in trying to complete what Dame Jonathan left on Governor Amaechi, et al.

I shall not live to regret pointing out all the above and there are more unworthy ‘distinctive’ names contained therein the list; research and space could not allow me to comment on them.

Dr. Jerome Jiga, Shehu Close, Zaria, Kaduna State.