 The wife of the Akiti State Governor, B. C. Fayemi, and Chairman of the Nigerian Governor's Forum Wives Association has been named as the women leader of the year in a statement issued by Fumi Ajalla, Senior Special Assistant Media Office of the Wife of the Governor in Adoakiti. The award was presented to Fayemi at a gala night to celebrate the inaugural International Women's Day Awards. I am truly delighted to have been nominated in the company of such great women, all of whom are equally deserving of this prestigious award. I would like to dedicate this award to all Nigerian women. Regardless of all that has happened recently, particularly with the disappointing news we heard from the National Assembly last week, when a number of gender-friendly bills were shut down, I would like us Nigerian women to remember that we are worthy, we are powerful, we have contributed significantly, we are important, we matter, and therefore I would like to continue to dedicate my life to the promotion and protection of women's rights.