Our role model: Josephine "Joe" Obiajulu Okei-Odumakin

Josephine "Joe" Obiajulu Okei-Odumakin is a Nigerian women's rights activist. She is the president of the rights groups Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy.

Born in Zaria, Kaduna on 4 July 1966 and grew up in a Roman Catholic household. She received a bachelor's degree in English Education in 1987, followed by a master's in Guidance and Counseling and doctorate in History and Policy of Education from the University of Ilorin. 

In 2013, Odumakin was presented an International Women of Courage Award from the United States Department of State. The presentation was done by 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. In addition to her international recognition she was recently awarded with the African Leaders Award, USA in November, 15, 2014.

She has frequently been arrested for her activism, especially during the military rule of Ibrahim Babangida, and she met her future husband, Yinka Odumakin, while in prison. 

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 courageous land mark in our thriving democracy had led to the team’s choice of Dr. Josephine Odunmakin as our role model of this edition.