*A LYRICAL DOUCEUR TO A DOYENNE @ 57*

My name is Akanbi Ibitola, an indigene of Ekiti State, a Final year student of law at university of Ilorin, a 21 yrs old lady who is a passionate advocate for women and children’s rights, and a secret admirer of the celebrant. I hereby pen down a heartfelt birthday wishes to Erelu Bisi Fayemi, who believes that women should not plead for inclusion, rather they should know it’s a right they are entitled to. I would like to start off by saying, thank you. Thank you for inspiring women across Africa and the world at large. As cliché as that sounds, I mean that as much as I wish to meet you someday. Thanks for finding the courage to speak up, not from a place of bitterness or vengeance but from a place of truth and hope for women and children. You have chosen to find yourself by serving others. Thanks a lot for that ma.

A resounding Sapo Verde to Erelu Bisi Fayemi, an accomplished, assertive and ambitious strong woman whose alluring feats of proficiency knows no bound. She is an unapologetic and a savvy feminist, a resilient gender and development specialist, dynamic policy advocate, social entrepreneur , an altruistic leader, who is indubitably a bleeding heart for the underprivileged, exploited and a author with laudable writing prowess.

Erelu as widely called by family, friends and fans, is an earthy individual who is courageous, matronly, virtuous, compassionate, with a magnetic personality, a success story and legacy that is not only inspirational but can also never be undone. She has fought fearlessly and dauntlessly to uphold women, girls and children’s right with an intention to contest for their justice and empower them to become without slowdowns. No wonder everything around her radiates greatness, she is rightly a valuable blessing to humanity.

Bisi Adeleye- Fayemi, is First Lady of Ekiti State Nigeria, as wife of the current Ekiti State Governor (Dr. Kayode Fayemi). She was previously Ekiti State First Lady in 2010-2014. She is a British-Nigeria born on 11 June 1963, Liverpool England. She is holding her Bachelor’s (1984) and Master’s degree (1988) in History from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. She also received an MA in Gender and Society (1992) from Middlesex University, UK.

With no need for further prove, in her career, she is unquestionably a trailblazer. Having ceaselessly advanced herself with a number of international women's rights and philanthropy institutions she also served as the Director of Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA), an international development organisation for African women based in London, UK, from 1991-2001 where she established the African Women's Leadership Institute (AWLI), a training and networking convention for young African women. Also, she was the Executive Director of the African Women's Development Fund, (AWDF which she co- founded, the first Pan-Africa wide grant-making fund, which supports the work of organizations promoting women's rights in Africa, from 2001-2010. She until recently handled the position of UN women Nigeria senior Advocate. She is the architect of Above whisper limited and UN’s an online platform called Abovewhispers.com. She was recently appointed as the visiting senior Research fellow at King’s college, university of London.

When her husband Dr Kayode Fayemi previously assumed Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria, on October 16th 2010, she being an advocate that had the fervour and enthusiasm for things that truly matter, became actively involved in various policy advocacy and grassroots empowerment. In conjunction with other stakeholders, she led the campaign to enact a Gender Based Violence Prohibition Bill which was signed in to law in November 2011, as well as the Equal Opportunities Bill which became law in December 2013, HIV anti stigma bill (2014), And she continues to work on implementations of these praiseworthy initiatives as the First lady of Ekiti state for the second time.The recently took part in the ‘Sexual Violence against Children, Compulsory Treatment/ Cares Bill, signed into law, which is a commendable response to the worrisome menace of increased rape cases in our society.

She equally has gotten many accolades under her belt, few of them are; ‘changing the philanthropy’ award in 20007 by funding network, also she was named as one of the 20 most influential African women(2009), in 2011, she was also listed as one the top 100 people in the world by women Deliver, likewise in 2012 she was named by new Africa magazine as one of the 100 most influential African and in 2019, was honored with award of 2018 Zik leadership prize for humanitarian leadership by public policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC)

On her creative writing mastery, She is the remarkable author of 'Speaking for Myself': Perspectives on Social, Political and Feminist Activism (2013) and 'Speaking above a Whisper', (2013) an autobiography. She also co-edited 'Voice, Power and Soul', with Jessica Horn (2008) a compilation of images and stories of African Feminists, Loud Whispers (2017).

How best can I now celebrate a true champion? Who has in diverse times lend her voice to the voiceless and gibe them hope for a better tomorrow, a woman who doesn’t whispers women’s rights but speaks it up loudly for all and sundry to hear. I have decided to gift this little douceur; a sweet compliment to a doyenne, a badass leader who is prominent and respected in her field. Happy birthday to you ma, a timeless beauty, even in her 50’s she still seemed as magnificent as turning 25. I pray that the lord keep and shield you. He will continually bless you with wisdom that abound. Thank you for your service to our country. You are an inspiration, and I hope you have many more years to keep up the good work. And my only wish is that you get to see this and know that there is a lady who wants to be a part of the Wrapper Network, a project of Above whispers Foundation. Congratulations on its official launch Ma.

Akanbi Ibitola
E- mail: akanbiibitola6@gmail.com
Phone number: O8168666811