African Women Culture

(1) Sandra Aguebor- Ekperuoh, Robert Kokoma, a native of Benin city, Edo state. The First Lady Mechanic in Nigeria (Sandra Aguebor) was born in the 70s into the family of late Mr. &Mrs. R.A Aguebor. She attended Ivbiotor Primary School, St Maria Goretti Grammar School in Benin, later to Benin Technical College for further technical skills and finally a graduate from Auchi Polytechnic, all in Edo state. She also had a degree from The GOETHE INSTITUTE, a German school based in Lagos State. Currently Sandra is acquiring a part time degree course in Mechanical Engineering. This young Lady Sandra is also the CEO/MD of Sandex Car Care, (specialist in maintenance, servicing of mostly used cars and sales of spare parts for commonly used cars), she maintains and services fleet of cars for MTN Communications, KAKAWA Discount house, Transocean, Alandick, Zenith Bank, Ikoyi Club, CNN News, BCC News, Games Shopping Complex, AIICO Insurance, WHO, United Nations and lots of notable individuals.

(http://www.edoworld.net/Sandra_Aguebor.html) and (http://www.voicesofedowomen.org/sandra_aguebor.html)

(2) Stella Obasanjo was from Iruekpen, Esan West, Edo State. Stella Abebe obtained her BSc at the University of Ife in English 1967 to 1969. In 1969 she was transferred to the UK to complete her studies, this time round, in insurance, in London and Edinburgh, Scotland, from
1970 to 1974. She completed her education with a certificate as confidential secretary from the Pitman College in 1976. She returned to Nigeria in 1976 and soon after married General Obasanjo, who had become Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, following the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed. She became Nigeria's First Lady in 1999, following the election of her husband as president, Obasanjo and established Nigeria Child Care Trust, for the care of underprivileged and/or disabled children.

(3) Eki Ogbeide is a Benin lady, director and manager of Edo state women Association (ESWA). ESWA is a registered British Charity established in 1991 improving the lives of mothers and children working on the markets in Edo State of Nigeria . ESWA also support important projects in the UK benefiting children from underprivileged backgrounds within the African community in London .(http://www.edowomen.org/)

(4) Barrister Grace Zemaye Egbagbe was born in Markudi, Benue State. She hails from Okpekpe in Etsako East local government area of Edo State- with Agenebode as the local government headquarters. Barrister Egbagbe spent 28 years with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) where she rose to the position of Executive Director in the DG's office. As at the time of her retirement in 2007, she made history as the first woman from Edo State to have served at the Executive Director level at NTA. (http://www.voicesofedowomen.org/grace_zemaye.html)

(5) Dr Sota Omoigui is an Edo lady. Manager and director of L.A. Pain Clinic, pioneer and world leader in the treatment of inflammation and pain. Specialize in treatments for simple to the most complex pain syndromes. Dr. Sota Omoigui is the world’s leading expert on inflammation and pain and a best selling author with drug handbooks published in eight languages, and used by pain specialists and anesthesiologists worldwide. Utilizing the very latest medical and clinical research, Sota Omoigui’s Law of Pain. Division of Inflammation and pain. State-of-the-Art Technologies Inc. Los.Angeles.USA. Pain Clinic - Medicinehouse.com, 4019 W Rosecrans Ave , Hawthorne, CA 90250. (http://www.spineuniverse.com/specialist/pain-management/us/ca/sota-...)

(6) Sonia Aimiuwu (Artiste Name: Sonia Aimy), a Benin/Nigerian/ World actress, songwriter/singer and art director. Base in Italy. She enrolled at the Academy of Music (Centro Jazz Di Torino) in Turin, Italy where between 1992-1997 she studied music. Within a short spell of time, she caught the imagination of the artistic community in Europe, as she became an instant theatre artiste, writer, dancer, choreographer and broadcaster, singer, producer as well as an activist. She has had the privilege of working with such troupes as Teatro Dell' Angolo Di Turino, Alma Teatro and Teatro Argentina Di Roma, National Television RAI 1, 2 and 3. Beside her making name as one of the few black faces who had been able to hold their own in Italy, she has toured Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, Germany and France among others plying her wares. Her work with immigrants and minority groups has stood her out. She is not just a flagbearer for the women folk only, but among Nigerian immigrants, she is held up as a role model, a saviour and the unofficial Ambassador for Nigeria. Her Alma Terra, a theatre group, is in the forefront of crusading for immigrants and minorities. They run among others what looks like a micro credit scheme to assist immigrants. She has also upped the stake by ensuring that issues concerning Africa are seen in a positive light and Africa voices heard. She is the founder and president of Afro Festival Association and she is also involved with a youth organisation known as Youth Express Network (based in Strasbourg). Sonia runs a radio programme, known as Afromania. Started in 2000, Afromania, which runs on Radio Flash of Turin 97.6FM, is a forum where issues affecting Africans are canvassed. It gives voice to Africans and government officials in Italy are engaged and made to explain their actions and policies as they affect immigrants and minorities group.On a recent visit home, Sonia, spoke to ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA Being an artiste "I think I was born to be an artist.I was born with it. It is from childhood. I have been acting all my life. That is what my mother used to say. She says, 'you have always been acting.' I used to sing as well. I was in the church choir from when I was a baby till I grew up. You know this Esigie Cultural Group (it was one of the famous cultural troupes in Benin then)... My mother was a member. They used to organise lessons, and my mother used to send me to them. So I was always there then. "I was in the drama group in school. And I had the opportunity to do something with this guy called Friday Agbontaen (aka I go die), a comedian with the former Radio Bendel (now EBS) and then also, my music teacher (Bro Preacher), who had a school in Benin. http://soniaaimy.com and http://www.voicesofedowomen.org/interview.html and http://www.edoworld.net/Sonia_Aimiuwu.html

(7) Lady Aghabiomon Nogie Ogbeiwi is the Founder/President of Uyi-Edo Cultural Troupe and Executive Director of Academy for Edo Arts and Culture, New York. She is a woman of unquestionable traditional qualities and highly respected for her community-based interests. Distinguished Award - Edo Leadership Assembly, USA, (2010). Merit Award- Edo Association, Austin, Texas (1998). Uyi Edo Cultural Group came first in the 1997 Centifair, a cultural competition organized by the National Museum and Monuments in collaboration with Edo State Broadcasting Services in Benin. The group came first in a Home Video Musical competition organized by the National Council for the Arts and Council in Abuja, Nigeria, tagged NAMAC 1997. They also came first in in a competition jointly organized by the Nigeria Tourism Board and Edo State Council for Arts and Culture in 1992. Uyi Edo cultural Troupe represented Nigeria in a Pan African Music Festival held in Congo Brazzaville in 1996. Known for initiating and organizing the one and only annual Cultural Carnival in Edo State, which started in 1992. The Carnival attracted performing groups from all over Nigeria, making it a national cultural event. The carnival also earned the group a prestigious position before the Oba (King) of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo ne Oba ne Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, CFR. His Royal Majesty graciously incorporated the Carnival into his annual Ugie Festivities. This was maintained religiously until the group relocated to the United States. (http://www.voicesofedowomen.org/culture_ambassador.html)

(8) Princess (Mrs) Eki Igbinedion. She is Princess (Mrs) Eki Igbinedion, wife of the former Edo State Governor, Lucky Nosakhave Igbinedion. Born into the royal family of Prince and Princess Oyemarense in the ancient Benin Kingdom, hardworking and amiable Eki attended several schools home and abroad. She later graduated with a Masters Degree in Economics and Statistics. Mrs. Eki Igbinedion is the President of the Idia Renaissance, a non governmental organization (NGO) in Edo state. The NGO which also has a youth resource centre was established in 1999 as her pet project when she was the first lady of the state, shortly after her husband, Chief Lucky Igbinedion was sworn in as Governor of the state.(http://www.edoworld.net/Eki_Igbinedion.html)

(9) Mabel Segun (OFR) was born in 1930 in Ondo town. Her parents, Reverend Isaiah and Eunice Aig-Imoukhuede were from Sabongida Ora in Edo State. She had her
primary education in Edunabon and Akure. From 1942 – 1947, she attended the oldest
girls’ secondary school in Nigeria- CMS Girls’ School, Lagos, founded in 1869 - and the University College, Ibadan,was in the second set of the oldest university, affiliated to London University where she graduated in 1953 with a second class London Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, Latin and History. At the university, she showed early promise both as a writer and sportswoman. She was deputy editor and advertisement manager of the University Herald. In 1954, a short story which she wrote in the year of her graduation won the maiden edition of the Nigerian Festival of the Arts Literature Prize. Mabel Segun has had a varied professional career as Hansard Editor, Education Officer, Information Officer, magazine editor, book editor trained in the USA, broadcaster, Book Development Secretary, Deputy Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, Chief Federal Inspector of Education and Senior Research Fellow, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. (http://www.edoworld.net/Mabel_Segun.html)

(10) Lady Daisy Danjuma is an Edo-born woman. She has a presence that's hard if not impossible to ignore. And at almost 60, her beauty can pass for that of a young woman in her 30's. There are just a few of the virtues of Mrs Daisy Danjuma, a lawyer, former Senator and wife of General Theophillus Danjuma, which ranks her among the A-list of Nigeria's most admired women. A very intelligent woman, Daisy always tells whoever cares to listen that she owes no one any apology for being beautiful and confident. And talking about style, Daisy is a dazzler any day. Always in tune with the modern trends in the fashion world, she knows what to wear to suit any occasion. A collector of expensive jewellery, this Edo-born woman, with every passing day, keeps getting better and beautiful like the vintage wine. (http://www.edoworld.net/Daisy_Danjuma.html)

(11) Osas Ighodaro was born to a Benin -Edo family based in the US. Miss Black Connecticut Osas Ighodaro has been crowned Miss Black America 2010. Ms. Ighodaro is a professionally trained actress, and she performed her winning talent: "What If I Am a Black Woman" in four dialects. She holds a B.A. in broadcast journalism from Pennsylvania State University. She is also a master of fine arts degree candidate at Pace University. She immediately gave praise to God during her acceptance of the crown at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. She will work with the Heart Truth campaign to build awareness of heart disease. She says that she would like to meet first lady Michelle Obama. One queen may meet another. Sounds good to us. (http://www.google.es/search?hl=es&source=hp&q=Miss+Black+Am...)

(12) Cherry Igbinedion Is the wife of the flamboyant Esama of Benin Kingdom. Since the Beijing Women Conference of September 1995, it is easy to say, besides and not behind every successful man; there you would find a woman who is not only just standing by, but as well actively getting involved in the execution of project(s) at hand. Lady Cherry L. Igbinedion, the amiable Jamaican- born heart-throb of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, is one woman who can safely be said to have contributed her bit to the outstanding success story of the Igbinedion household. She was right beside her husband as they traversed top-class schools overseas to forge a model for their intentions. The outcome was the establishment of one of Africa's leading private Education Centre in Benin City. The pioneering role of the Centre in the now popular Montessori model of education in Nigeria can hardly be in doubt. The combined excellence of the nursery, primary and secondary schools in terms of products and output coupled with the Igbinedion Montessori Teacher Training Centre to prepare teachers for competing schools, earned the institution clear identity and a much valued pronouncement by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) that the Igbinedion Education Centre is one of the four leading schools in the West African sub-region.Igbinedion Education Centre under her directorship in collaboration with council, management and staff has taken this Centre of Academic Excellence to enviable heights.(http://www.edoworld.net/Cherry_Igbinedion.html)

(13) MERCY A. OBAMOGIE MD, MPH, MBA, FAAFP. Mercy Obamogie is an Edo Lady a Professor University of California, Irvine, MBA Graduate School of Management Concentration in Health Care Management. Harvard University, School of Public Health June 1999. Certificate awarded in “Measurement Design and Analysis for Health Outcomes Research” Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD l987. MPH School of Hygiene and Public Health Concentration in Health Policy and Management. University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ l984. MD, Rutgers Medical School . Columbia University, New York, NY l980. BS in Biology. The only courageous female aspirant under the canopy of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), for Edo South senatorial district in the Senate of Edo state of Nigeria. (http://ihuanedo.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mercy-a-obamogie-md-mph-mba)

(14) Archbishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa: A native of Benin. Wife to the late Archbishop of Church of God Mission Int'l. Inc., Most Rev Prof. Benson Idahosa and currently the Presiding Bishop of same Church with several branches and hundreds of thousand of members worldwide. She also pastors the 5,000 capacity Faith Miracle Center Church, where multiple services are held weekly. Bishop Margaret Benson -Idahosa was born on the 29th of July, 1943, into the royal lineage of the Benin Kingdom. She was ordained into the ministry on the 24th of May, 1983 and consecrated Bishop on the 5th of April, 1998. This position makes her first female Pentecostal Bishop of a ministry of this magnitude in Africa.Together with her husband, she has preached the gospel of Jesus Christ in more than 140 nations covering the entire continents of the world. She is not just a woman preacher, she doubles as a father and mother to many spiritual children all over the world. Her vision and mission is to " reach the un-reached" irrespective of their location whether in the desert or riverine creeks. Since her consecration as Bishop, she has frequently traveled to America, Europe and parts of Africa and in communities far-flung from major towns and cities preaching, teaching and healing the sick.

Bishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa's love for children and strong belief that they be trained and raised properly saw to the establishment of the word of faith group of schools, which now has more than one hundred (100) branches all over Nigeria. She also has to her credit an orphanage for abandoned babies. Three of these children have been adopted into the Idahosa's family. CWFI-Her Brain Child. The women arm of the ministry which goes by the name Christian Women Fellowship International (CWFI) is a non-denominational body founded by Bishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa, to teach women how to discover their true potentials, be good mothers, wives and instruments for end-time evangelism. Members of this body can be found in America, Europe, Africa and Nigeria. In line with this is the building of a multipurpose facility called the Restoration Centre with a capacity to seat more than 10,000 women. This Centre will serve as conference venue, office space, a skill acquisition centre and a place to rehabilitate destitute young women. Thousands have been delivered from the bondage of evil tradition and have been spiritually and economically empowered. A recent addition to the Restoration Centre is a mobile medical clinic which offers free medical services to rural dwellers. She already has several books published. Some of which are, The Womb of harvest, The Female minister, Tearing the veil and Expansion without Limit Bishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa is a mother of four biological children- Feb, Ruth, Daisy and Freda and three adopted children Precillia, Osagie and Osasu. She is a grandmother (http://www.edoworld.net/Bishop_Margaret_Benson_Idahosa.html)

(15) Mercy Aigbe: Nollywood Actress Mercy Aigbe’s journey to stardom started in her teens when she was in the primary school. Known for her brilliance on stage, especially in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood, Mercy is one of the most sought-after actresses in the Nollywood country The Edo state born actress has a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Lagos. She graduated in 2001 and joined the movietoday. industry fully in 2006. Acting, for her, started when she was a kid. By then, she and her friends used to play fake roles of a father and mother with other kids. But she didn’t know that it will transform into something else because she thought it was just a child’s play. While in primary and secondary school, she also used to be a member of the schools’ drama and dance groups. It was after her secondary school education that she decided to go for Theatre Arts at the University. Upon graduation, she went for various auditions. The particular audition that got her career started was in Ibadan. She was later given a major role in the movie ‘Ara’ which shot her into the limelight. After ‘Ara’, she got more roles. Currently she does not feature in Yoruba movies alone but English ones as well. Mercy said she really had a tough time convincing her parent to study Theater Arts in the University. This, she explained, was because of the perception people have about artistes.(http://www.edoworld.net/Mercy_Aigbe.html)

(16) Osarieme Lebarty was born and raised in Edo State Nigeria. At the age of ten her parents moved to the United State of America, leaving her in the care of her grandmother along with her three brothers. She completed her nursery and primary school Education in word of faith school and did her first two years of high school in Word of Faith College before transferring to Negbenebor to finish up. She moved to the United State in 2004 as a permanent resident along with her three brothers to leave with her parents and her two younger sisters. She enrolled in Weequahic High School in September 2004 in 12th grade and she graduated with honors in June 2005. Ms. Lebarty was admitted into Kean University in September 2005, at Kean she was a member and the vice president of the Pre Law Club, African Student Association (ASA), youth Ambassadors/ Blessed Sacrament catholic Community NGO. Nigerian Gospel girls Organization, member of the student Organization, and Health Africa group Organization. She was also involved in community service in her church and her neighborhood. She graduated from Kean University in January 2009 with a BA in Political Science. Right now Ms. Lebarty is currently preparing for her LSAT examination. Her goal is to obtain a JD/LLM. Degree and get involved in legal research related to law cases in future. Osarieme Lebarty, Financial Coordinator and Assistant Director of Community Affairs projecthealthafrica.org

(17) Kate Imasuen, a young Nigerian lady, would pass for an African ambassador. In Germany, she runs two television programmes, through which she projects Africans and blacks. With her programme, Great Africa Live, aired on television across Europe and on You Tube, this pretty wife of wave-making Pastor Imasuen, has been able to tell the world Africa’s story in a positive way. (http://ihuanedo.ning.com/group/improving_edo_movie_music_and_entert...)

(18) Esohe Mercy Omoregbe is one of best Nigerian's linguistic Lecturer in the Department of Linguistics and African Languages ,Faculty of Arts , University of Benin. She is in the advanced stage of her Ph. D programme in Morpho-syntax. She is also doing researches in the areas of Linguistics, Translation, Language teaching and learning and other areas of Applied linguistic Research. Involve in various publications and articles, among who are Language Vitality: the Experience of Edo Community in Nigeria and in Language in India. http://www. lgindia.com. vol.5.3 March 2005. Re-As A Post -Verbal Free Form in Edo: A Morpho -Semantic. Re-Analysis in Morphon. http://Morphon.interna.pl.pp 1-13( by Yuka & Omoregbe E.M.2006), English -Edo Medical Translation in Perspectives: Studies in Translatology: Vol.13:14 pp.268-77 by Omoregbe ,E.M.2005, Problems and Prospects of Teaching Edo Language in Schools . In indian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research .Vol.3 (No.1).pp 67-78(by Omoregbe E.M 2007), Tense and Aspect in Edo Ihafa: a Journal of African Studies (Social Edition) Vol.6 No.4-6(2004-2008)pp. 114-131. Dept .of Linguistics & Asian Studies,UNILAG(by Yuka & Omoregbe,2006). Genrundization and Tones in Edo Morpho-Phonology-To appear in Emotan:Journal of the Arts Dept. of Fine an dAplied Arts ,University of Benin-2009. Taboos and Euphemistic Expressions in Edo : A case of Gender Disparity .InTechnical and Vocational Education Journal .Dept. of vocational and Technical Education,University of Benin Vol.No.2 pp 10-16 by Omoregbe E.M 2009. (http://ihuanedo.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mercy-esohe-omoregbe-biography)

(19) Dr. Francisca Oboh-Ikuenobe hails from Ubiaja in Esan South- East Local Government Area of Edo state. After obtaining the West African School Leaving Certificate from St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School in Benin City, She attended the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). She received a B.Sc. degree (First Class Honours) in Geology and M.Sc. degree in Applied Geology (Petroleum Geology Option) from Ife. She worked briefly as a Production Geologist with Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria during her mandatory National Youth Service Corps, two months as a consulting Palynologist with Shell, an Assistant Lecturer at Ife, and a part-time Geologist/Palynologist with Geotrex Systems, a petroleum service firm in Lagos. She received a Commonwealth Scholarship to attend New Hall (now Murray Edwards) College at the University of Cambridge, England where she was awarded a Ph.D. degree in Geology. Dr. Oboh-Ikuenobe joined the faculty of Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T, formerly University of Missouri-Rolla), USA as an Assistant Professor in 1991. She is currently Professor and Head of the Geology and Geophysics Program in the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering. She was Associate Chair in 2005-2006. Her professional experiences include stints as Visiting Professor at the University of the Western Cape and Witwatersrand in South Africa, and Shipboard Sedimentologist/ Palynologist on Ocean Drilling Program Leg 159 to the eastern Equatorial Atlantic. (http://www.voicesofedowomen.org/francisca_oboh.html )

(20) Stella Oduah Ogiemwonyi is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sea Petroleum and Gas Group of Companies and who is one of the biggest players in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Stella Oduah Ogiemwonyi is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sea Petroleum and Gas (SPG). Born on January 5, 1962 in Onitsha, Anambra State, Stella knew exactly what she wanted from her early age. After her studies at St. Paul’s College, Lawrence Ville, Virginia in the United States in 1983, Oduah joined the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC). (http://ihuanedo.ning.com/profiles/blogs/stella-ogiemwonyi-sea)

(21) Joy Osahon-Agbator: Serves as the site coordinator for Farnam Courts. She began her relationship with LEAP as a Senior Counselor and went on to become an Academic Coach. Joy holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut. http://www.leapforkids.org/Content/Joy_Osahon_Agbator.asp

(22) Princess Adesuwa a Benin New York base Jazz / Afro mix artist // http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/princessadesuwa http://www.myspace.com/adesings // www.princessad.com //

(23) Emotan : Singer and songwriter, Emotan, was born in Nigeria in a town called Benin City. A very distinct and creative tribe, the Edo’s are known for their inbred creative genes. Producing outstanding bronze works and wooden carvings and amazing singing voices.

The name Emotan was the name of one of the truly heroic, highly regarded feminine figures of her tribe who started with nothing but achieved the highest honour for her humanitarian work, taking a stand for women, children and her environment. Emotan’s educational background started in Edo State, Nigeria, where she attended primary school before moving to England to complete her education. She runs a few companies including her own record label called Phine Entertainment Ltd. Emotan’s love for music started from birth. She started listening and singing to music for countless hours as far back as she can remember, and she discovered her gift for writing poetry from a tender age. Professionally, Emotan’s music journey started when she recorded in England (1994), as Ameh with Esprit music.

The journey continued when a she relocated to Nigeria in 2003, she started writing music and poetry again. She explains, "One day I bumped into the Director of music at the National Arts Theatre in Lagos who introduced me to my Band. At first we jammed for fun and gradually became more serious". This led her to start work with Khris, a guitarist and co-producer, under her music label.

Emotan’s music is influenced by everything in life; she even finds sounds in the silence around her at times. She does not keep her music in a box and does not categorize her music because it permits her the freedom of creativity and versatility and she listens to a lot of music ranging from pop, to rock, to world, dance hall, etc these genres are reflective in the songs she writes and sings. Emotan has presence; her philosophy in life is that "Life is a religion" so she quotes "Just live". Emotan has battled, opposition, conquered motherhood, learned to live with separation to keep on the path of her dreams. Yet she maintains a free spirit, wrapped by a kind heart and is a true original, who is truly multidimensional in her aura. She is a well blended cocktail of dreamer and realist. But why she craves the impossible true love, is her need to believe in the purest form of magic. Her music is pure, heartfelt, spiritual, sensual, eccentric and down to earth practical. Emotan’s dream is to tell it how she saw and felt it, spread golden star dust of love and prove that it possible to be different and still live in harmony. Lastly she simply wishes to sing and find her audience, the free spirits, the stars, the simple, or just you! http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/page_object/page_object_bio/artist_2...

(24) Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru:

Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru : Changing the Face of Tax Collection:

Until her appointment on May 3, 2004, as the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the agency was just another government parastatal with all the notoriety associated with many of such agencies. However, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, within a short time of assuming office, changed the face of the organisation responsible for collecting revenues on behalf of the federal government.
She brought to the job a unique leadership style that encouraged management staff and other lower rung staff to bare their minds without fear of punishment, thus inspiring self-confidence in them.

Her capacity for hard work is as legendary as her intelligence. She engenders a team spirit that makes it easier for the achievement of set targets that have significantly affected the effectiveness and efficiency of FIRS. In her capacity as FIRS helmsman and chairman of the Joint Tax Board, comprising representatives of all taxing tiers of government in Nigeria, she was behind the institutional changes in the tax system at federal and state levels that grew annual tax revenues to over $15 billion.

She oversaw the implementation of a tax reform agenda that enhanced tax administration in the country as well liaising with other stakeholders to ensure the passage of four laws: FIRS (Establishment) Act, 2007, Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2007, Companies Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2007, and National Automotive Council (Amendment) Act, 2007. She also supervised the implementation of a national tax database, including the Tax Identification Number, that gives each taxpayer a unique identity that easies transactions.

In addition, a clear, well articulated national tax policy encapsulating the principles guiding taxation in the country has been developed under her. The new national tax policy is aimed at better planning and consistency.

She reorganised the operations of the FIRS which successfully led to the merger of offices and creation of one-stop-shops for improved service delivery to the tax payer. This has lessened the burden of taxpayers who can now transact their tax business at a single point instead of going to different tax offices for different services. The merger of offices has also provided improved career opportunities for FIRS staff to be more rounded tax professionals.The reorganisation of FIRS under her watch has created jobs and career opportunities of over 2,000 in specific skill driven areas.The result of her reform initiatives has manifested multiple-fold, as under her leadership, she increased tax collection from N1.194 trillion in 2004 to N2.839 trillion in 2010 through the upgrade and automation of the tax collection system. With this, she also increased the number of registered tax payers from 100,000 to 700,000 during the same period.

Last year, she exceeded the revenue target set by the federal government when FIRS collected N3.72 trillion between January and October revenue as against the N3.63 trillion revenue target the government set for it for 2011.

She is also vigorously pursuing a regime that will allow taxpayers to assess themselves, a system that has been abandoned since its introduction in 1998.

Omoigui-Okauru has said repeatedly that the focus of the tax agency is to grow job opportunities as required to improve service delivery. Staff without the required skills are encouraged to acquire the necessary skills through both institutional support for training as well as counselling staff to recognise the need for them to personally improve their competence levels.

She has said that the challenge of the FIRS and indeed all revenue authorities is to get more of the skilled staff required to drive improved performance. With the requisite complement of staff, properly aligned to their areas of strength and interests, her goal is to ensure that the performance of the FIRS and state internal revenue boards are significantly boosted. http://ihuanedo.ning.com/group/edo-achievers/forum/topics/people-of...

(25) Adesuwa Bullen. a Benin Born London base gospel artist http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/adesuwabullen

(26) Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo: An Edo - Boston-based Nigerian-American performing artist and award winning poet Iyeoka Ivie

Okoawo is at the forefront of creating a new artistic genre that gracefully interweaves
spoken word poetry with jazz, blues, gospel and neo-soul influenced song. Embracing the
power of words from writers such as Sonia Sanchez, Patricia Smith and Alice Walker,
Iyeoka is a powerful songstress whose lyrical prowess invokes the spirit of the renowned
soul-shaker Nina Simone. Fresh off a 2007 nomination and a 2006 New England Urban Music Award for best female poet,

a second top ten finish at the National Poetry Slam in Austin Texas (she placed 4th in the nation in 2000) and commissioned performances by Arnold Worldwide Advertising Agency and
most recently at the 2006 Leon H. Sullivan Summit, "Africa: A Continent of
Opportunities- Building Partnership for Success," in Lagos, Nigeria; Iyeoka is currently
recording her follow-up CD to her highly-acclaimed full-length debut disc, Black and
Blues (Phanai, Records, 2004, while seeking publication of her first poetry collection in
2007.

A story teller to the core, Iyeoka's hope-filled poems come from within and build
momentum with truth transformed into songs that reemerge as unique, emotionally
complex gifts to her audience, touching on a wide range of issues-love, women, culture,
struggle, relationships, among many others.

The buzz surrounding her poem-songs has garnered her national attention through
performances at the NAACPTrumpet Awards, the CBS hip hop show The Source All
Access and Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam airing on HBO. Iyeoka also has opened for
the Tony Award winning Def Poetry Jam on Broadway tour at the Colonial Theater in
Boston. Sharing the stage with recording artists Chuck D of Public Enemy, Musiq Soul
Child and Vivian Greene to poets Gil Scot Heron, Sonia Sanchez, and Amiri Baraka—
Iyeoka has more than held her own.

Across the nation, at venues ranging from universities, large concert halls, and neo-soul
clubs to venerable spoken word haunts like the Nuyorican Poets Café; Iyeoka's warm
spirit, stirring lyrics and passionate performances leave audiences not only entertained
but visibly overcome with emotion. Widely considered one of the top performance poets
in the country, Iyeoka has earned her reputation by performing on the National Poetry
Slam circuit for the past eight years, with the Jeff Robinson Trio and as a member of the
acclaimed Bull Horn Collective and Blackout Arts Collective.
A gifted performer, Iyeoka's acting prowess has been featured as the title character in a
PBS documentary on Harriet Tubman, as well as an off-Broadway play produced by
Thema Bryant. Her poem on Rwanda will also be featured in a new documentary film
"Rwanda Rising" that is being Executive Produced by Andrew Young the former
ambassador to the United Nations. http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/iyeoka
(27) Mrs. Inumidun Idehen, Commissioner for Women Affairs is one woman who understands her role in government which she sees as an opportunity to impact positively on humanity.

(28) Miss Edo – Top 5 – MBGN Model – 4th Runner up
 SANDRA IDUGBOE - Edo (MBGN UK Contestant)
Greatest person who has walked the face of the earth?

My Mother. She has been there for me, she loved me even when she thought she was going to die, she taught me to respect myself and also taught others to respect themselves. Only if you respect yourself, other people will respect you. --http://bellanaija.blogspot.com/2008/03/mbgn-2008-and-winner-is.html

(29)  Stella Obayuwana joined the military in 1996 shortly after immigtating to the US. Enlisted as an Undesignated Airman (which means did not have any specific jobs and my duties where as assigned). From that very humble beginning, She studied night and day and passed the test to become an Aviation Electronics Technician. That was the beginning of my upward progression in the military. Soon after that, became a Flight Line Supervisor for the launch and recovery of Navy MH-53 Helicopters and Corrosion Control Specialist. Following my first assignment in Sicily Italy, Attended the Aviation Electronics School in Pensacola, FL where she graduated top in class and was offered another school to specialise in the calibration of electronics test equipments. Upon completion of her schools, she was assigned to a Aviation Maintenance Command in San Diego, California, where she took the advancement test for the next rank and passed. She also applied to the Officer Candidtae School and was accepted. As an Oficer, and have risen to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, acted as a Division Officer, Department Head, attained two Masters Degree, and currently seeking admission to obtain a Doctorate Degree. She served onboard three ships, four shore and two overseas locations