Global recognition comes to those who have over the years, through silent steps, built a legacy of integrity, respect and success walking through society and helping shape positive impact.

Her Excellency, Senator Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate and first female Deputy Governor of Rivers State, is a woman who has recorded many feats in her carrier as a professional, leader and politician, touching lives along the way and raising hope among many, especially, women.

Key areas of her impact include healthcare reform and access expansion, women and girls’ empowerment, youth skills development, agricultural and small-business empowerment, public health policy and oversight.

Born on December 20, 1952 in Obuama, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, this Amazon began her education in the prestigious Queen’s College, Lagos.

She earned her MBBS from the University College Hospital, Ibadan and obtained a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Harvard University School of Public Health.

She topped this with diplomas in Tropical Hygiene and Dermatology at the University of London.

Coming home, she served as Registrar of Births and Senior Medical Officer-in-Charge in Rivers State in the early 1980s and later became principal of the Rivers State School of Health Technology in 1985.

AWLO Global Ambassador Ipalibo rose through senior roles in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, including: Director of Public Health Services, acting Commissioner, and a Permanent Secretary.

She was appointed Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) on October 5, 1995 and prior to her 2015 entry into the political space, was the first female Head of Service of the Rivers State Government.

Those years spent managing offices in the health ministry and Rivers State government service gave her a firm leadership ground for her next role when in 2015, Nyesom Wike selected her as running mate for the governorship race under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

On May 29, 2015 this silent performer changed the history of political leadership in Rivers State as she emerged the first female deputy governor in the democratic history of the state. That gave impetus to more women to seek elective positions and between Governor Nyesom Wike and her, (2015-2023), the number of women in elective and appointive positions rose at all levels of government. More women groups began to take interest in government affairs and her office was their first call, being their anchor and role model. Expectedly too, issues about health especially, reproductive health and violence against women received serious attention.

It was no surprise therefore, that she was elected Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District under the Peoples’ Democratic Party and assumed office on June13, 2023.

Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo was appointed Chairperson, Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) in the 10th National Assembly.

In line with her burning desire to help transform community lives and raise self-reliance in her constituency, she recently donated mini-buses to youths in her Degema, Bonny, Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru communities and in response to Obuama identified need, a 100 unit modern lock-up shops structure with power and sanitary facilities was built to boost economic activities there. The large turn-out for the commissioning of the projects and the respect accorded her wherever she turns up, attest to her level of impact which AWLO recognizes and is set to tap.

Natasha has made history by reclaiming the right of women to be heard and respected in a world that refuses to acknowledge women as partners in nation building.

A brave judge, Justice Binta Nyako has ruled that the Nigerian Senate does not have the constitutional power to deprive a Constituency long non-representation. The Senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the House’s Disciplinary Committee had sent Natasha on six month suspension for not respecting a seat re-arrangement and controversy over her accusation of sexual abuse by the Senate president.

Like a mother adjudicating between her children, the Judge slammed a N5million fine on Natasha for contempt in hosting reports on the matter online against court decision.

AmazonaAfrica is happy to see the right of the woman being upheld despite serious attempts by government and her agents to silence this Amazon.

We salute Justice Binta Nyanko and all the women leaders and organisations who spoke up on this matter.

The voice of the Nigerian Woman Must Count!

Prof Rabia Sa’id is a Physicist from Bayero University, Kano putting Nigeria on the global map.

She has been appointed by the UN Sec-Gen as a member of the 21-member scientific panel assessing the global impacts of nuclear war. The shackle of tradition and helplessness and rise up and build their lives.