This is Agnes Yewande Savage – The First Nigerian Female Doctor
Agnes Yewande Savage, the first female doctor in Nigeria, was born on the 21st of February, 1906 in Edinburgh, Scotland, to a Nigerian father, Richard Akinwande Savage and a Scottish mother, Maggie S. Bowie.
Agnes later studied medicine at Edinburgh University where she graduated in flying colours. She was awarded the Dorothy Gilfillon Memorial Prize for the best woman graduate in 1929. She became the first Nigerian female doctor.
She returned to the Colonial Office medical service and with the help of Andrew Fraser, her wage and job benefits were pushed to an equilibrium with other white staffs.
Agnes later retired in 1947 and lived the rest of her life in Hertfordshire, England, looking after her brother’s son and daughter. Agnes died in 1964. Her entry into that field paved a path for the many we now have in the serving in varied capacities as medical doctors.

Captain Tamuno Ebiye was born in the mangrove-lined town of Okrika, Rivers State. A quiet river girl; the daughter of a fisherman and a local teacher. She had dreams big ones but war had bigger plans for her.
She was supposed to be a marine biologist. She loved sea turtles and red oil crabs, but life doesn’t always ask you what you want.
The Niger Delta crisis took her cousin in 2009. He wasn’t a militant. He was just walking home, stray bullet. him in the wrong place, wrong skin. Tamuno was 13. That day, she saw her uncle cry like a child. That day, she stopped smiling.
At 24, she joined the Nigerian Army through the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSC).
Her mother nearly fainted.
She asked, “Tamuno, why? You wan go die?”
But Tamuno replied, “If we keep running, who will stand?”
She fought with her mind.
Tamuno was no ordinary officer.
She wasn’t just brave she was smart.
Her strategy saved over 80 soldiers during an ambush in Gwoza, Borno, in 2021.
But nobody outside the army ever heard her name. Why?
Because she was a woman, was from the South. Nigeria forgets its quiet heroes.
In the last operation, January 14, 2024 she led a joint operation in Shiroro, Niger State. The intel was wrong.
They walked into a trap.
Bandits opened fire from the cliffs.
One bullet shattered her thigh. She fell, but refused evacuation.
With blood dripping from her leg, she gave orders through the radio.
With a calm voice, no panic, Tamuno saved the entire unit, but she didn’t save herself.
A second bullet hit her chest.
As she was lifted into the helicopter, she whispered to her 2IC:
“No tears, just win.”
When her body returned to Port Harcourt, they brought her in a sealed coffin.
No one opened it.
Her younger brother stood there with trembling hands, holding her old ID card.
Their mother collapsed beside the gate.
On her bed was a small black notebook.
On the last page, she wrote:
“I never joined the army to be remembered. I joined because silence is a betrayal. If I die, wear white for me. Not black. I died standing.”
– Diepreye Selema (sourced from Facebook).

Cross River women gathered to celebrate something far greater than an award. They gathered to celebrate excellence, courage, service and the enduring strength of the Cross River woman.

One hundred (100) remarkable women were honoured for distinguishing themselves in their various fields of endeavour, and I was deeply humbled and delighted to be among those recognised. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend such an epoch-making occasion as I am currently out of the country. It would have been my greatest joy to be physically present at such a remarkable event and to celebrate alongside these outstanding women.

There is a special beauty in women celebrating women. It is a reminder that our achievements are not only personal victories; they are also milestones for the generations coming behind us. When one woman breaks a barrier, she makes the path a little wider for another. When one woman rises, she shows another that rising is possible.
What makes the list even more remarkable is the depth of intellectual and academic excellence it represents. Among the honourees are distinguished academics, scholars and Vice-Chancellors who, have risen to the highest levels of intellectual leadership, alongside women who have excelled brilliantly in their academic pursuits and professional careers. Their inclusion reminds us that the Cross River woman continues to distinguish herself not only in public service and enterprise, but also in the world of knowledge, scholarship and intellectual achievement.

Cross River has a proud history of women who have dared to make a difference. From the days of the great Chief Margaret Ekpo, women in our state have stood courageously alongside men, making sacrifices, providing leadership and contributing to the development of our communities, our state and our nation.
Yesterday’s recognition goes beyond politics. Many of the women honoured are not politicians. They are professionals, entrepreneurs, public servants, administrators, educators, academics and women who have simply excelled in their chosen fields and made meaningful contributions to society. That is the Cross River spirit we must continue to celebrate.

I congratulate all 100 women who were honoured. Your stories, your journeys and your achievements are worthy of celebration. May your recognition encourage many more women to believe in themselves, pursue excellence and use their gifts in the service of humanity.

I must specially applaud the Chief Librarian of the Cross River State Library Amb. Dr. Eme-Ekanem Awatt for this thoughtful and inspiring initiative. She has demonstrated that she is truly a square peg in a square hole.
To the organisers, the awardees and every woman who continues to give her best to Cross River, thank you for making our state proud.

– Sen. Princess Florence Ita-Giwa, OON