It’s funny that in twenty-first century and with all the breakthroughs and advances in technology, a large portion of our society still retains a conservative mind-set about women. It’s still believed that women should be seen and not heard. And so when a woman manages to distinguish herself in any area of life she is considered weird and all manner of negative connotations are attached to her either to intimidate her out of the way, or to force her to submit and conform to age-long social expectations and economic bracketing.
Consequently, when a woman is strong-willed, she is dubbed stubborn, rebellious, uncontrollable, controversial and contentious. On the flipside, when a man is strong-willed, it becomes a positive value: he is determined, performing, masculine, vigorous and strong. We must sit back as a people to re-think some of the obnoxious values that cage and stifle the potentialities of the woman, while giving the man a ridiculous sense of braggadocio.
Let me give more practical examples: Ngozi Okonji Iweala was our Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy when Nigeria overtook South Africa to become the largest economy in Africa. Yet, she had to endure legions of cat-calls, mockery and howlings on the floor of the Federal Executive Council, especially when she insisted that Nigeria must either save for the rainy day or perish. Now, she has been vindicated and we know better. She has become our own Nostradamus: the one who saw tomorrow. Iweala is today an international brand, and even our President would consider it an honour to grab some pictures with her.
Arunma Oteh was so highly rated as Treasurer and Vice President of World Bank. When she later became the DG of our Securities and Exchange Commission, some people made sure she knew no rest. All manner of demonisations, fabrications and machinations were lobbed like missiles on an innocent woman, whose only crime was a deep-seated desire to serve her country. In end she capitulated and left. Today, Oteh is highly sought-after as a high-voltage brain by leading universities in the world. As I pen down these lines, both Iweala and Oteh are on the Transition Council for the Incoming Government of Abia State.
How many of us remember Professor Ruqayyah Ahmed, the Jigawa woman, who was Minister for Education under Jonathan? She was a Professor of Curriculum Planning, and she displayed magisterial competence as Minister, yet she was hounded out of the way. What about Prof. Mobolaji Johnson, the former Minister for ICT? Educated in the University of Manchester and quintessentially intelligent, how much positive recognition did we accord her until she had to leave?
It does appear that as a country, we are still locked in some type of reactionary mind-set that does not support the self-realisation of women. Sadly, no society can make real progress that way.
Now to the point! Yesterday, someone posted a dirty essay on Dr Favour Ugwuanyi, the Chairman of PPSMB in Enugu State. I was emotional. For the first time in many years my eyes were watering? Was I going to cry? No! Favour does not deserve tears, what she deserves are accolades, awards and celebrations. Agu Nwanyi as I fondly call her. One of the best-hearted women I have encountered in my life. Nevertheless, I took a mental trip into the careers of high-performing women in Nigeria politics, and there is something common to all of them: they are all seen as strong-willed, determined, and not-easily-intimidated, and so they become a problem. How long shall we continue like this?
I find it personally depressing that someone will sit down to pen down an essay insinuating that Dr Favour Ugwuanyi was one of the political office holders that ruined Ugwuanyi Government. It amounts to what Chimamanda Adichie refers to as a ‘suspension of conscience’. And it is extremely demoralising that in spite of the honest efforts of some of our gifted and high-achieving women to help transform our world, they continue to face image-battering, conspiracies and intrigues.
I do not intend to defend Dr Favour Ugwuanyi. Why would I? It is absolutely unnecessary! To do so is to demean the idea of defence itself. But let me point out a few things. It is public knowledge that in 2021, she led PPSMB to become First in WAEC Nation-wide. It is an unprecedented record in the history of our State. Enugu State was honoured at the National level for the extraordinary achievement. Favour Ugwuanyi led the charge. Of course, it earned her the respect of men and women of goodwill. But as would be expected, it also drew the wrath of her detractors. And they deployed all the weapons in their arsenal to pull her down.
Today, the Amazon, who brought us honour has become an agent of ruin. Why must we taint everything with politics? Where is our conscience? Where is our morality? Where is our sense of rage?
Amidst all these storms, Favour has continued to soar higher and higher. Her life’s journey is an embodiment of her name. Favour! There is no section of the public service in Enugu State, where you will find staff who are as contented and fulfilled as secondary school teachers. In Promotions, Minimum wage, and Allowances, Favour Ugwuanyi’s PPSMB remains the best example. Everyone gets what is due to them. Favour Ugwuanyi will never hold back what is due to someone else. She has a history of transparency and open-handedness, and no stain of greed or avarice in all her working life.
Yet, they won’t let her be. Personally, I have wondered where she is sourcing funds with which she is constructing the magnificent, multi-purpose edifice at PPSMB. I don’t even think she herself can explain. It is in her nature – an incarnation of blessings. Whatever she touches multiplies like the Biblical Mustard Seed. Was she the first person to head PPSMB? Definitely no! The difference is that for her public money should she channelled for public good. History will be kind to you, Dr Favour Ugwuanyi!
Favour is an agent of excellence. She cleaned up the Augean Table called PPSMB! She returned sanity to our secondary schools. Has anybody wondered why cultism suddenly vanished from secondary schools after she took over? That is a story for another day. But let me say this: she is a spiritual, intellectual and physical power-house.
She re-organised the organogram of power in Enugu State secondary schools for closer monitoring and supervision. With Favour Lesson Notes have become a more serious business; and the era of combining petty trading and school-work ended. Favour is an Evangelist of high-standing, and brings her spiritual force to bear with her job – we must be careful the way we treat a woman of God.
Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1979 to 1990. Do you know who nicknamed her Iron Lady? The Russians! Yet, Russia is a long standing enemy of Britain. Those who are running from pillar to post to defame and de-market Favour Ugwuanyi will end up giving her the ladder to ascend to greater heights. It is a spiritual injunction. Mark my words!
We have our own Iron Lady in Favour Ugwuanyi. Let us place manure around her so she can grow and bloom and blossom. The good thing is that the lines on our palms are our spiritual DNA – no power can erase them.
Bravo to a quintessential teacher, administrator, planner, and leader! May God keep you, Dr Favour Ugwuanyi!
Dr Mark Ndubuisi Michael
