Reactions as Aisha Yesufu makes BBC’s 100 most influential women in 2020

By Chioma Obinagwam

Nigerians have taken to social media, particularly, Twitter, to express their opinions with regards to Nigerian rights activist, Aisha Yesufu’s new status as one of BBC’s 100 most influential women in the world in the year 2020.

Confiance News was on Twitter on Wednesday to gather these reactions.

According to a Twitter user known as Double G, he said, “I need to know what inspires this woman.”

I need to know what inspires this woman

— ĞForce🗯 (@anirebest) November 24, 2020

Zama Ziqubu, another Twitter user said, “A black, Muslim women leading a Revolution against a patriarchal megalomaniac dictator and his snipers.”

https://twitter.com/zamzi21/status/1331324776456065025

Iroha Solomon said,”
Thing about fighting for justice; being consistent in what you do, is that it ‘forces’ doubters to believe u.
I must say that I NEVER believed you were honest during GEJ’s regime but I’m now ‘forced’ to believe.
Keep it up & keep convincing others on the need for unity of purpose.”

Thing about fighting for justice; being consistent in what you do, is that it 'forces' doubters to believe u.
I must say that I NEVER believed you were honest during GEJ's regime but I'm now 'forced' to believe.
Keep it up & keep convincing others on the need for unity of purpose

— Tomorrow is always gonna be better (@star_techy) November 25, 2020

Another Twitter user, Yisa said, ‘Proud of you Mummy. My kids will definitely sing the national anthem having the true heroes in their hearts not the “half the cbn looters” etc. We are wining and it’s so sweet. ‘

Apart from being the co-convener of #BringBackOurGirls movement, Yesufu, was also a notable figure in the #EndSARS movement.

The #EndSARS campaign, which was initiated by Segun Awosanya in 2017, gained traction on social media globally against the excesses of a deadly police unit called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

She was listed alongside Sanna Marin, who leads Finland’s all-female coalition government, Michelle Yeoh, star of the new Avatar and Marvel films, and Sarah Gilbert, who heads the Oxford University research into a Coronavirus vaccine, as well as Jane Fonda, a climate activist and actress.

According to the BBC, this year’s 100 Women list “is highlighting those who are leading change and making a difference during these turbulent times.”

Yesufu, who was born by Edo parents but raised in Kano, had always shared her difficult experiences of being a girl-child in a heavily patriarchal environment.

One of her popular quotes is, “We want a Nigerian society where the child of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody.”

She also took to her Twitter handle to express her gratitude for the nomination.

“It is an honour and a humbling experience to be amongst @BBC100women. My fellow Nigerians, this is for you! I AM BECAUSE WE ARE!

One day we will have a Nation where lives matter and the child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” She tweeted.

It is an honour and a humbling experience to be amongst @BBC100women. My fellow Nigerians, this is for you! I AM BECAUSE WE ARE!

One day we will have a Nation where lives matter and the child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. https://t.co/TJ7FJLmwdV

— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) November 25, 2020