Women Who Shaped History and Politics
Throughout global history, there have been women who have left lasting imprints on the world. These individuals are often described as virtuous, embodying values that are more precious than rubies. In political contexts, they are likened to Amazons—women whose qualities transcend traditional feminine roles and inspire courage in the face of opposition.
Some of these remarkable figures include Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the USA, Angela Merkel of Germany, Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand, Margaret Thatcher of the UK, and Nenadi Usman of Nigeria. Each of these women has demonstrated strategic prioritization, courage, resilience, visionary thinking, and strong leadership.
Senator Nenadi Usman is currently working to transform the Labour Party into a force that serves Nigerians and leads them toward tangible prosperity through its economic policies and strategic planning. As a woman of deep empathy and social activism, she is particularly concerned about the plight of refugees and displaced persons. She is willing to lead her party in making tough decisions regarding this crisis in Nigeria.
Her transparency on key national issues resonates with citizens, and her compassionate yet frank responses connect directly with their concerns. Her prudent management of funds has earned the admiration of party members. As the Interim National Chairperson of the Labour Party, she is focused on reclaiming the party’s position in Nigerian politics ahead of the 2027 election and moving it away from figures like Julius Abure and his associates.
With her extensive experience and focused nature, having previously served as Minister of Finance, her leadership qualities are evident in her daily work. The court ruling recognizing her as the legitimate leader of the party, along with INEC’s acknowledgment, did not inflate her ego or distract her from her service to the party and the citizens.
Instead, she sees it as a call to duty, committing herself to party unity, stability, and rebuilding. As a strategic planner, she is working on an agenda to rebuild and rebrand the party, realigning its values to meet societal needs and enhancing its appeal to younger voters.
She has also emphasized internal democracy within the Labour Party, ensuring that under her leadership, members are loyal, disciplined, and transparently accountable. Elections into all offices are conducted transparently with inclusive decision-making processes. Recognizing the strength of the people in democracies, she has deployed strategies for grassroots mobilization, aiming to attract 10 million new members.
As a positive communicator, she believes in actions over words, promising transparent party congresses at all levels to ensure leadership renewal and a credible national convention that elects substantive leaders. Her efforts focus on strengthening the party through grassroots lobbying and mobilization, engaging with communities and addressing their concerns.
She has also committed to creating a dynamic and people-centric manifesto that addresses key issues such as economy, security, and governance. According to her, the people must know and be certain of the value they receive in exchange for their votes. Senator Usman believes that only with strong leadership chosen based on broad appeal, integrity, and a clear vision can the party regain the confidence of Nigerians.
A realist, the Interim National Leader strongly believes in collaborative effort and coalition building, entrenching it as a doctrine for the party to form alliances with like-minded opposition parties or groups to increase influence. Acknowledging the importance of youth in nation-building, she has prioritized engagement with young people, especially leveraging social media and involving young leaders in decision-making.
Over time, Senator Usman has consistently maintained a life of accountability and service, demonstrating transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to citizens’ needs. Her proficiency in party management is widely recognized. The innovative Labour Party’s focus on grassroots mobilization and membership drive, along with her drive for strategic alliances and inclusive leadership, is considered best practice in global democracy, fostering peace and effective collective governance.
Her commitment to realigning the party has led to several reforms, resulting in increased member engagement, a more robust representative leadership, reduced internal conflicts, and enhanced credibility and public trust. This has attracted several converts, including notable members of the National Assembly.
There is no doubt that with Senator Usman’s drive and strategic commitment, the Labour Party will soon break barriers, challenge norms, and inspire future generations, leaving a credible and indelible mark on the world political landscape.
Notable Women Leaders Around the World
The legacy of women in politics extends beyond Nigeria. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the world’s first female Prime Minister, leading Sri Lanka through turbulent times and focusing on socialist economic reforms. She implemented policies like nationalizing key industries, promoting Buddhism, and introducing Sinhalese as the official language.
Indira Gandhi, India’s first and only female Prime Minister, implemented significant economic and social reforms, including the Green Revolution. She led India through the 1971 war with Pakistan, playing a crucial role in Bangladesh’s independence.
Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor from 2005 to 2021, was known for her pragmatic leadership and significant influence on European politics. She navigated crises such as the 2008 financial crash, the 2015 migrant crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2017 to 2023, was lauded for her compassionate response to crises like the Christchurch mosque shootings and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female head of state, led Liberia from 2006 to 2018, promoting women’s rights and economic growth.
Margaret Thatcher, the UK’s first female Prime Minister, served from 1979 to 1990 and implemented radical economic changes. Surely, Senator Nenadi Usman is becoming Nigeria’s courageous Golda Meir, who was Israel’s first and only female Prime Minister, leading the country from 1969 to 1974 and playing a key role in international diplomacy. This time, however, she is winning the hearts and conscience of Nigerians and extricating the Labour Party from the iron grips of Julius Abure and his co-travellers.
