Joe Okei-Odumakin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Okei-Odumakin
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Odumakin in March 2013
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| Born |
Josephine Obiajulu Okei
4 July 1966 Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria
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| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Women's rights activist |
| Spouse(s) |
Yinka Odumakin
(m. 1997; died 2021) |
Josephine Obiajulu Okei-Odumakin, born on July 4, 1966, is a brave Nigerian activist. She works to protect the rights of women and all people. She leads two important groups: Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Where She Grew Up
Josephine Okei-Odumakin was born in Zaria, a city in Kaduna, Nigeria. She grew up in a Catholic family.
Her Schooling Journey
She studied hard and earned several degrees. In 1987, she received her first degree in English Education. Later, she earned a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling. She also completed a doctorate in History and Policy of Education. All her degrees were from the University of Ilorin.
Fighting for Rights
Standing Up for People
Dr. Okei-Odumakin is known for her strong fight for human rights. She has often been arrested because of her activism. During the time when Ibrahim Babangida was a military ruler, she was detained 17 times.
Helping Women and Children
She has helped with over 2,000 cases where women's rights were ignored. These cases included situations where police unfairly killed women or their husbands. She also helped when schools or hospitals did not respect the rights of children.
Awards and Achievements
International Recognition
In 2013, Dr. Okei-Odumakin received a special award. It was the International Women of Courage Award from the United States Department of State. This award celebrates women who show great bravery. Michelle Obama and John Kerry presented the award to her. This happened at the US State Department's Dean Acheson Auditorium during International Women's Day celebrations.
Training Future Leaders
In 2019, Dr. Odumakin helped train many people. This training was part of the 10th Civil Society Organisation Professionalism, Effectiveness and Therapy (CSO-CPET) Workshop. The workshop focused on "Mobilising Women for Change." This training happens twice a year. It helps civil society groups become better at their work. It also encourages good ethics and helps find new solutions to problems faced by private organizations.
Her Many Roles
Dr. Okei-Odumakin holds many important positions. She is the executive director of the Institute of Human Rights & Democratic Studies. She is also the founder and president of Women Arise for Change Initiative. She chairs the Task Force of the Citizen Forum. Additionally, she is the president of the Centre for Change in Community Development & Public Awareness. She also leads the Centre for Participatory Democracy. She is a spokesperson for the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria. Her constant fight against human rights abuses has shown her great courage.
Her Family Life
Dr. Okei-Odumakin was married to Peter Yinka Odumakin. They got married in 1997. Sadly, he passed away in April 2021 due to complications from COVID-19. He died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). They had two children together. Their first child, a girl, was born in 2000. Their second child, a boy, was born in 2003. Their daughter was named after Joe, and their son was named Abraham after a respected leader, Pa Abraham Adesanya.
