A Courageous Woman! Nigerian Human Rights Activist Josephine Odumakin honoured with the 2013 United State Secretary of State’s International Woman of Courage Award
Posted on Monday, March 11th, 2013 at 7:42 AMBy Adeola Adeyemo
At BellaNaija, we love to celebrate brave Nigerian women who are doing the nation proud with their selfless services and dedication to the promotion of equal rights. Today, we are so proud of Nigerian democracy activist and women’s right advocate Dr. Josephine Odumakin who was recently awarded the 2013 United State Secretary of State’s International Woman of Courage Award.
The U.S. First Lady, Michelle Obama, with Secretary of state, John Kerry presented Josephine’s award to her at the Dean Acheson Auditorium of the US State Department at a ceremony which coincided with the International Women’s Day.
Dr. Odumakin is an inspiration to young women; a brave woman who has been on the forefront of over 2,000 cases of violations of women’s rights, including cases of extra judicial practices committed by government security agencies against women. Often times, these cases include extra judicial killings of women by the police or their spouses, assault of women by law enforcement personnel for any pretext as well as deaths of children and women through negligence on the part of school or hospital authorities. Dr. Odumakin heads the Campaign for Democracy and has been involved with a lot of initiatives to broaden Nigeria’s democracy.
She is currently the Executive Director of the Institute of Human Rights and Democratic Studies; President of Women Arise for Change Initiative; Chairman, Task Force of the Citizen Forum; Spokesperson, Coalition of Civil Society Organizations; and President, Centre for Participatory Democracy.
Dr. Odumakin is usually seen leading almost every protest, march, lecture or workshop aimed at encouraging the rule of law and governing justly and democratically. She was one of the prominent people behind the Occupy Nigeria protests against the Federal Government’s increase in the price of fuel early last year. Her advocacy led her to be arrested and detained seventeen times during the dictatorship of General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime.
The annual Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award which was established in 2007 honors women around the globe who have exemplified exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights, women’s equality, and social progress, often at great personal risk.
The award was also presented to nine other women from other countries including Afghanistan, Egypt, Honduras, Russia, Somalia, China, Syria, Vietnam and India.
Congratulations Dr. Odumakin!
Tags: Ibrahim Babangida, international women's day, John Kerry, Josephine Obiajulu Odumakin, Michelle Obama, occupy nigeria, United State Secretary of State's International Woman of Courage Award, Woman of Courage Award
Congratulations Dr Odumakin. There’s no denying d evident appreciation and admiration on Michelle’s face for this lady. I didnt know her before now but i can say she has inspired and challenged me with her great achievements. I wish more Nigerians will continue to step up their game despite the economic harshness. We need more international recognitions in postive light like this.
love it love it! Congrats to Dr. Joe!
Wow! Very impressing and inspiring. Congrats Dr Odumakin
Note to myself:joblessness is no excuse anymore,its time to work on my ideas to make it a reality! Great woman…Dr Josephine. God’s blessings now and always.
Amen sister!! me too oh.. exactly what I was thinking
Stories like this makes me proud to be a Nigerian.. More grease to your elbow Ma
Dr Joe, i have always admired your ccourage and the zeal you have in human rights activism…God will continue to lift you higher and i implore more women to emulate her
Thank you Mrs Odumakin for making us proud. And God bless your family for the unflinching support so far. Wish more women like me could join you in this fight.
CONGRATS!!! MORE POWER TO YOUR ELBOW!!!
Awwwh…awesome. I have always feared for her and her family but you can just see the passion in her eyes. She is fullfing her purpose. God bless and continue toprotect you. You’re a great inspiration.
Congrats Dr Joe….
Congrats madam,you have done africa proud
So many Nigerians doing great things and being recognised abroad. I pray we see the day when great Nigerians would begin to get the recognition they deserve in Nigeria instead of how corrupt officials and ex convicts are being recognised and given National awards.
Congratulations Dr Odumakin!
rare gem,a woman to be admired.its not all about being a beautiful woman on the outside.kudos to a woman who fights for what is right.I LOVE U MA.
this is definitely an article worth sharing…
Thank you Ma for standing out. With this i can i am proud to be a Nigerian.
Congratulations, Dr. Odumakin! Thank you for making Nigerians proud.
Gosh! I am simply in awe of her.!
I am really happy and proud that finally somebody out there has finally recognized her works and struggles for Nigeria women, she has put in so much for her country all these years. Dr. Odumakin this is the beginning of a new dawn for you congratulations ma..
I love seeing Nigerians being recognized for doing positive things. Congratulations Dr. Odunmakin! You’re an insipiration to many!!!
wow
wow, amazing. congratulations Dr Odumakin!
Congratulations Dr. Odumakin!
Also a big congrats to your husband for supporting your dreams and pursuits.
Amazing woman. You are a brave campaigner and I’m so glad that even if your own government doesn’t recognize your commendable work, the greater world out there does.
Very proud of you, Dr. Joe! I love the picture of you and Michelle, holding hands. It seems like you both were “connecting.” And I couldn’t help but notice your shirt- GREEN, Proudly Nigerian, written all over you. Well done!
I AM PROUD OF YOU.
very proud of you! continue doing what you are called to do-God will always provide you with strength even from strangers if need be.
Am so sorry to say,u re all. Useless,girls re raped in this country and u can’t do notin about it,d gal dat was raped in abia is an orphan nd u re der celebratin rubbish,mad pple
The award asks three fundamental questions:
1). Is the USA government democratic internally and internationally?
2). Based on what moral standing, activities, democratic principle, practice or value does the USA government, in particular and especially the government of Barak Obama, evaluate, judge, and decide concerning the activities, democracy and governance of other governments and nations of the world?
3). What is intended to be achieved ultimately in Nigeria by this award?
Congrats madam,u have done so well and u still have alots to do. We have been robbed badly in nigeria. Take for instance the case of my brother, Koria Christiantus Nwabueze that was shot dead by a Nigerian Police at Daleko Isolo on the 11th of April 2013 about 7.15 in the morning,uptill now the police has refused to provide the killer. Pls ma, i want you to come into this case. You can contact me with, +2348030432674 or f_harriton@yahoo.com.