margaret ekpo, a giant of 20th century Nigerian politics, and a pioneer activist of women’s rights, is an icon. She was born in 1914 in Creek Town – in present day Cross River State - to Okoroafor Obiasulor, a native of Agulu-Uzo-Igbo near Awka in Anambra State, and Inyang Eyo Aniemewue from the Royal stock of King Eyo Honesty II of Creek Town.

The work of this tall and slender woman of uncommon beauty, at the height of her political career, captured the imagination of an entire nation and captivated f etivatingerian politics,every young girl throughout Nigeria, including the writer, who wanted to grow up to be just like margaret ekpo.

When I was growing up in the late 1950s in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State -- back then, the hub of political activities in Eastern Nigeria -- the predominant political party at the time was the NCNC (National Council of Nigerian Citizens, formerly the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons), led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Nigeria’s Independence was fast becoming a wondrous possibility, and margaret ekpo had become a household name.
margaret ekpo and her contemporaries – Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Mazi Mbonu Ojike, M.I Okpara, Janet Mokelu, Jaja Nwachukwu, MT Mbu, Malam Aminu Kano, Alhaja Gambo Sawaba, S.L Imoke and many others -- were at the forefront of relentless agitation for the nation’s highly desired Independence from Great Britain. with the much respected Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, margaret ekpo routinely toured the country, mobilizing women to become politically conscious and participate in the emerging political affiliations in order to protect their interest and ensure the advancement of the Nation.
A fierce defender of women’s rights, margaret ekpo never apologized for being a woman and that, it can be argued, was her greatest strength. with grace of carriage, she stood her ground as an equal of men, representing women resolutely and with great dignity in multiple capacities.