SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI- UDUAGHAN; A PROFILE IN COURAGE AND TENACITY
By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo
Few women, and even men, could have withstood the fire power and intimidation of Gov Yahaya Bello of Kogi and still be standing.
This courageous Amazon took it all in and at the end of the day she conquered and we are proud of her. Her supporters had been killed, homes burnt, vehicles destroyed, shot at many times but not detered. Once she was traveling to her senatorial district one beautiful day only to discover that caterpillars and Earth moving machines had been used to dig holes dig trenches in the road, making passage impossible. Lesser women would have given up but not this woman of great strength, resilience and faith. She surmounted all those darts that her State Governor threw at her and today she stands , heads up as a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria representing Kogi Central.
On Thursday, November 2nd 2024, The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, supervised the oath of office administered to the new senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, during plenary on Thursday.
The oath was administered to her by the Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Chinedu Akubueze, at about 11:41 am.
She thereafter proceeded to have a handshake with the Senate President, who handed over to her a copy of the Senate Standing Rules.
She was later led to her seat by the sergeant at arms after an exchange of pleasantries with her colleagues.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, affirmed on Monday that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, of the Peoples Democratic Party, was the duly elected candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial Election on February 25, this year.
Natasha Hadiza Akpoti was born on 9 December 1979, she is the second of four children and the only daughter of a Nigerian father and a Ukrainian mother. Her mother, Ludmila Kravchenk, is a Ukrainian from Rakitna in the region of Chernivtsi. Her father, Dr. Jimoh Abdul Akpoti, is from Obeiba-Ihima, Kogi State. She spent her early years in Ihima, Okehi Local Government She lost her father in 1998 and the family had to relocate.
She studied at the University of Abuja from 2000 to 2004 and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree. She was called to the Nigerian bar in 2005 upon graduation from the Nigerian Law School in Abuja. In 2011, she proceeded to the University of Dundee and graduated with a Master of Laws degree in 2012. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Oil & Gas Management from the University of Dundee.
The StoryTeller has outlined an Agenda for Change:
Senator AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN’s tenure should be dedicated to empowering women and fighting against inequality. Her agenda must to address the systemic barriers faced by women in Nigeria, and uplift them to reach their full potential. Here are some key focus areas she has to prioritize:
Advocacy for Gender Equality Laws:
Senator AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN should commit to advancing legislation that promotes gender equality in Nigeria. With a focus on equal pay, gender-based violence prevention, and increasing women’s political representation, she should raise awareness and collaborate with fellow lawmakers for effective implementation.
Economic Empowerment:
Recognizing economic independence as a catalyst for change, the senator should also advocate for policies that enable women to thrive economically. By advocating for accessible credit, entrepreneurship programs, and vocational training, she aims to bridge the gender gap in economic opportunities.
Education and Skill Development:
Education lays the foundation for growth and progress. Senator AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN should prioritize policies that enhance access to quality education for girls and women, particularly in marginalized areas where gender disparities in education are prevalent. She should also aim to promote vocational and skill development programs tailored to the needs of women, providing them with sustainable livelihood options.
Maternal Health and Reproductive Rights:
Improving maternal health conditions and ensuring reproductive rights are critical aspects of women’s well-being. Senator AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN must actively support initiatives that advocate for adequate healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. Additionally, she should push for the provision of affordable family planning services, contraceptives, and comprehensive sex education to empower women to make informed choices about their reproductive health…among others.
It’s been a long and hard battle to victory. And I hope Senator Natasha AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN will realise the enormous responsibility hanging on her capable shoulders. It can no more be a one woman show, if ever the thought crossed her mind, now is the time to erase it completely. The Nigerian women are looking up to her. She is the flag pole that will fly the banner of the Nigerian woman moving forward. She must not forget she navigated through obstacles, fought many battles to get here and she must keep fighting to make way for other woman. She must never forget blood was shed too. Ordinary people fought, sweated, toiled and shed tears to ensure a tyrant did not subdue her. She cannot afford to let them down. Some day, she will be viewed in the same space with Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. Those are pretty big shoes, but I know she is capable of wearing them. Greatness is lurked deep inside of her. It’s also not surprising that she is one of the StoryTeller Icons for a New Nigeria.
By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo ( The Story Teller)
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Email; Nigeria360online@gmail.com