3 Influential women who are unsung heroines of Nigeria’s Independence (With Pictures)

1. Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti (1900-1978)

Mrs Ransome-Kuti, born 25th October, 1900 in Abeokuta, is the mother of legendary afro beat musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti. She was a very powerful force advocating for the Nigerian woman’s right to vote and has been described as the doyen of female rights in Nigeria. In 1947, she was described by the West African Pilot Newspaper as the ‘Lioness of Lisabi’ for her leadership of the women of the Egba clan in a campaign against arbitrary taxation.

That struggle led to the abdication of the Egba high king, Oba Ademola II in 1949. She was one of the women elected to the native House of Chiefs, serving as an Oloye of the Yoruba people and one of the delegates that negotiatedNigeria’s independence with the British government. A ranking member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroon, Mrs Kuti was the first lady to drive a car in Nigeria. In 1965 she was awarded OON (officer of the order of Niger) and an honorary Doctorate degree of Law by the University of Ibadan in 1968. She died on April 13, 1978, from injuries sustained when she was thrown from a third floor window in her son’s compound but succeeded in handing activism to her three sons Fela, Beko and Olikoye Ransome Kuti.

CLICK HERE to join our BBM Channel for faster updates

TOP POSTS YESTERDAY

• 15 Throwback pictures of Nigerian celebrities that will help restore your hope in life..
• 20 ways to make your girlfriend incredibly happy – She will love you more!
• Top 10 Most popular slang words used by Nigerian university students and their meanings
• 44 Countries Nigerian passport holders can visit without a Visa
• The hottest cleavages at the AMVCA 2016 (With Pictures)
• LADIES: If you do these 9 things, No man can ever play you!
• Top 10 worst dressed Nollywood celebrities at AMVCA (With Pictures)
• Top 10 most beautiful African actresses 2015 (+Photos)
• 10 celebs who act like they’re broke but are filthy rich (With Pictures)
• Top 10 best dressed Nigerian men in 2016 – See who’s number 1! (With Pictures)