Women’s March: Celebrating Natasha’s empathy for humanity

Inspired by her father’s lessons which instilled a sense of empathy in her while she was a child, Natasha Akpoti has done, and is doing, a lot to help the needy. Recognizing the impetus political power could add to her humanitarian services, she aspired to represent the people of Kogi Central at the Senate. Women’s […]

Women’s March: Celebrating Natasha’s empathy for humanity

Inspired by her father’s lessons which instilled a sense of empathy in her while she was a child, Natasha Akpoti has done, and is doing, a lot to help the needy.

Recognizing the impetus political power could add to her humanitarian services, she aspired to represent the people of Kogi Central at the Senate.

But, as she was in court to challenge the results of that election, the women of Kogi felt she should aspire for the seat of governor; and she heeded their calls by contesting the governorship election of 2019.

In continuation of our series on Nigerian women who deserve recognition in the Women’s History Month, here are a few things that about Natasha Akpoti:

  • She is the founder of Builders Hub Impact Investment Programme and CEO of LegendArkGroup.
  • She is a social entrepreneur, a corporate lawyer, and a passionate human rights activist.
  • She is a foremost advocate for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company; her advocacy led to the creation of a $1 billion lifeline funding for the revival of the company.
  • Over 1,000 children across Nigeria benefit from her educational scholarship programmes.
  • She started the Women & Youth Empowerment Programme for 5,000 women for the growth and development of small and medium enterprises in rural communities.
  • In collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), she organised “Grassroot Soccer Talent Hunt” from which five players were selected across Kogi State to join the Nigerian National Team.
  • She received the African Woman of Worth Award presented by the Vice-President of Liberia, Mrs Jewel Taylor, in 2018; she was also honoured as the Torch Bearer of the Nigerian Project by the Nigerian Project Support Group.
  • In 2017 she bagged Africa’s Patriotic Amazon Award by the League of African Development Students (LEADS) and “The Golden Voice of the People” by the Nigeria Goodwill Ambassadors.
  • She sought to represent Kogi Central District in the Senate on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP).
  • She heeded the calls of Kogi women under the auspices of Women Supporting Women to challenge Governor Yahaya Bello in the gubernatorial election of 2019.