Veteran journalist Bimbo Oloyede on Monday took a stroll down memory lane to mark the International Women’s Day.
She recalled how in 1972 she left the country for the United Kingdom with mixed feelings, only to later become the first black woman to head a private school in England.
“In 1962, I left Nigeria for the United Kingdom with nothing but a suitcase and a mixture of fear and excitement, to begin a new life. I had no idea about the challenges that were going to be ahead of me but despite the obstacles, and there were many, I became the first black girl to head a private school in England,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
“As a young teenage woman, I challenged my father’s wishes and joined the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Fast forward to 1976, all that I had experienced and learnt over the years paved the way for me to become the first female network newscaster in Nigeria. I chose to challenge.”
Oloyede listed women breaking bounds across the world.
“Women like Folake Solanke – the first woman to join the Senior Advocates of Nigeria; Captain Chinyere Onyenaucheya – the first female commercial pilot; Sandra Aguebor-Ekperuoh – the first documented female mechanic in Nigeria; Ire Aderinokun – the first Nigerian woman to become a Google development expert; Mo Abudu – the first woman to own a pan-African TV channel in Africa; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – the first woman and African to head the WTO; and Kamala Harris – the first woman to not only become Vice President of the USA but also be of Black/Asian/Hispanic descent,” she wrote.
According to her, this year’s theme in celebration of the International Women’s Day, ‘choose to challenge’, couldn’t be any more spot on.
“Until we challenge, there can be no change. So, as I make this pledge, I invite you to join me; step up to the podium, embrace the light, keep your eyes steady and choose to challenge,” Oloyede added.
