Heroines in Nigeria – Basic 4 History Lesson Note (Third Term)

A heroine is a brave woman who helps her people, stands up for what is right and shows courage in difficult times.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define a heroine in one sentence.
2. Name six Nigerian heroines and the state or kingdom each came from.
3. State what each heroine did and why she is remembered.
4. Arrange the heroines in time order.
5. List the qualities that Nigerian heroines share.

What makes a woman a heroine?

A heroine is a woman who uses her courage to help others and make Nigeria better.

• Fights for: what is right and fair.
• Helps: her people and her community.
• Shows great courage: in difficult times.
• Leads: and inspires other people.
• Makes Nigeria better: through her work and example.
• Sacrifices: her comfort or safety for the welfare of others.

Who are the famous Nigerian heroines?

This note studies six Nigerian heroines: Queen Amina, Queen Idia, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, Gambo Sawaba and Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh.

1. Queen Amina of Zazzau (1533-1610)

Who was she?

• Queen: ruler of Zazzau, now called Zaria.
• Warrior: a great military leader.
• Place: the Kaduna State area.

What did she do?

• Led armies: she fought in many battles.
• Expanded her kingdom: she added land through conquest.
• Built walls: walls around cities protected her people (the “Amina walls”).
• Ruled: for about 34 years.
• Made Zazzau powerful: her kingdom grew strong and rich.

Why is she a heroine?

• Brave: she fought at a time when few women did.
• Protector: she defended her people from enemies.
• Trade: she expanded trade and made her kingdom rich.
• Example: she showed that women can be great leaders.

2. Queen Idia of Benin (16th century)

Who was she?

• Queen Mother: she held the title Iyoba in the Benin Kingdom.
• Mother of an Oba: her son was Oba (King) Esigie of Benin.
• Place: the Edo State area.

What did she do?

• Advised the king: she guided her son on important matters.
• Helped rule: she took part in governing the kingdom.
• Protected culture: she guarded Benin customs and traditions.
• Supported arts: she backed Benin art such as bronze making.
• Promoted trade: she helped the kingdom prosper.

Why is she a heroine?

• Wise counsellor: she helped the kingdom to be governed well.
• Culture: she protected Benin’s rich heritage.
• Leadership: she showed the important role of women in government.
• Greatness: she helped to make the Benin Kingdom great.

3. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900-1978)

Who was she?

• Activist: a women’s rights campaigner and politician.
• Teacher: she was also a women’s leader.
• Place: Abeokuta, Ogun State.

What did she do?

• Fought for the vote: she demanded women’s right to vote.
• Led protests: she opposed unfair taxation of women.
• Started organisations: she founded women’s groups.
• Opposed colonial rule: she took part in the struggle against British rule.
• Promoted education: she encouraged women to learn.

Why is she a heroine?

• First: she is remembered as the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria.
• Political rights: she fought for women’s place in politics.
• Family: she was the mother of Fela Kuti, the famous musician.
• Example: she opened doors for future women leaders.

4. Margaret Ekpo (1914-2006)

Who was she?

• Activist: a women’s rights campaigner and politician.
• Social worker: a community leader.
• Place: Cross River State.

What did she do?

• Fought for independence: she worked for Nigeria’s freedom.
• Promoted women in politics: she urged women to take part.
• Started organisations: she formed women’s groups.
• Worked for services: she pushed for better social services.
• Advocated for children: she spoke up for children’s welfare.

Why is she a heroine?

• Pioneer: she led the way for women in politics.
• Independence: she fought alongside men for freedom.
• Caring: she looked after community welfare.
• Inspiration: she encouraged other women to join politics.

5. Gambo Sawaba (1933-2001)

Who was she?

• Activist: a women’s rights campaigner from Northern Nigeria.
• Leader: a political leader and social reformer.
• Place: Zaria, Kaduna State.

What did she do?

• Fought for women’s rights: she worked for women in Northern Nigeria.
• Challenged restrictions: she questioned traditions that limited women.
• Promoted education: she supported learning for women.
• Advocated political participation: she wanted women to take part in politics.
• Worked for reform: she pushed for social change.

Why is she a heroine?

• Brave: she challenged customs that held women back.
• Pioneer: she was one of the first Northern women to fight openly for women’s rights.
• Opportunities: she opened doors for Northern women.
• Courage: she stood firm in a conservative society.

6. Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh (1956-2014)

Who was she?

• Doctor: a medical doctor and physician.
• Consultant: senior consultant at First Consultants Medical Centre, Lagos.
• Place: Lagos State.

What did she do?

• Identified: she recognised Nigeria’s first Ebola case in 2014.
• Quarantined: she kept the patient apart to stop the disease spreading.
• Helped contain Ebola: the outbreak in Nigeria was kept small.
• Sacrificed: she risked her own life to protect others.
• Died: she caught Ebola while treating patients.

Why is she a heroine?

• Protector: she helped save Nigerians from a deadly epidemic.
• Sacrifice: she gave her life for others.
• Dedication: she showed professional duty and courage.

What can we learn from our heroines?

Nigerian heroines teach courage, service and respect for women’s work.

Common qualities

• Courage: they faced challenges and opposition.
• Leadership: they led in difficult situations.
• Dedication: they worked to help others.
• Breaking barriers: they opened new paths for women.
• Sacrifice: they gave up much for their communities.
• Standing up: they defended what is right.

Lessons for girls

• Leadership: girls can be great leaders too.
• Education: it is very important for women.
• Belief: fight for what you believe in.
• Service: help your community and country.
• Dreams: do not let anyone stop you from reaching them.

Lessons for everyone

• Respect: support women leaders.
• Contribution: women add greatly to society.
• Courage: it comes in many forms.
• Service: helping others is noble.
• Nigeria: the country has many brave women.

Which period did each heroine belong to?

The heroines lived in three periods: pre-colonial, colonial and independence, and modern times.

Class exercises

1. Fill in the blanks.
   • Queen Amina was the Queen of _______.
   • _______ was the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria.
   • Dr. Adadevoh helped stop the spread of _______ disease.
   • _______ fought for women’s rights in Northern Nigeria.
2. True or False.
   • Queen Amina was a great warrior ( ).
   • Margaret Ekpo was from Cross River State ( ).
   • Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was Fela’s mother ( ).
   • Dr. Adadevoh was a teacher ( ).
3. Match each heroine in Column A with what she is famous for in Column B.
   • Column A: (1) Queen Amina (2) Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (3) Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh (4) Queen Idia
   • Column B: (a) Helped stop the Ebola outbreak (b) Queen Mother of Benin (c) Women’s rights activist (d) Great warrior queen
4. Circle the heroines who fought for women’s rights.
   • Queen Amina, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, Queen Idia, Gambo Sawaba, Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh
5. Which state or region were they from?
   • Queen Amina: _______ State (Zaria).
   • Margaret Ekpo: _______ River State.
   • Gambo Sawaba: _______ State.
   • Dr. Adadevoh: _______ State.
6. Who helped Nigeria to stop the spread of Ebola?
   • (a) Queen Amina (b) Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (c) Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh (d) Margaret Ekpo
7. Number these heroines in time order, earliest (1) to latest (4).
   • ( ) Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh
   • ( ) Queen Amina
   • ( ) Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
   • ( ) Queen Idia
8. Match each heroine in Column A with her role in Column B.
   • Column A: (1) Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh (2) Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (3) Queen Amina (4) Margaret Ekpo
   • Column B: (a) Warrior queen (b) Social worker and politician (c) Medical doctor (d) Teacher and activist
9. Short answers.
   • What makes someone a heroine?
   • Name two pre-colonial Nigerian queens.
   • How did Dr. Adadevoh help Nigeria?
   • What did women’s rights activists fight for?
10. Complete the sentences.
    • Heroines show _______ in difficult times.
    • They _______ for what is right.
    • They help their _______ and country.
    • They inspire _______ people.

Answer key

1. Zazzau (Zaria); Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti; Ebola; Gambo Sawaba.
2. True, True, True, False (she was a doctor).
3. 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b.
4. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, Gambo Sawaba.
5. Kaduna, Cross, Kaduna, Lagos.
6. (c) Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh.
7. Dr. Adadevoh 4, Queen Amina 2, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti 3, Queen Idia 1.
8. 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b.
9. A brave woman who helps others; Queen Amina and Queen Idia; she identified and quarantined the Ebola patient; the right to vote and to take part in politics.
10. courage, fight, community, other.

Evaluation

1. What is a heroine?
2. Name two pre-colonial heroines and the kingdom each came from.
3. State two things Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti did for women.
4. Which heroine came from Cross River State, and what did she work for?
5. Give two qualities that all the heroines share.

Assignment

Choose one heroine from this note. Write five short lines on who she was, what she did and why she is a heroine.