Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called on young Nigerian girls to challenge outdated societal norms that teach them to accept shame and remain silent in the face of injustice.
The Kogi Central lawmaker made the passionate appeal during a mentorship session held in Abuja to mark the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child. The interactive event, tagged “An Evening with Senator Natasha”, gathered over 50 young women from across the country for an evening of bold truth-telling, real talk, and renewed purpose.
“We’ve been raised to wear the shame, carry the blame, and keep our mouths shut. That ends with us,” Senator Natasha told the audience.
The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead
The theme of the event, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead”, echoed a growing movement of girls refusing to be sidelined – especially in crisis. Senator Natasha challenged the attendees to discover who they truly are before pursuing big dreams or careers.
“Before you figure out your drive or your path, know who you are,” she said. “Many of us never got that chance.”
Guest speaker Yakubu Oyiza Hope, an anti-human trafficking advocate and survivor of abduction and banditry, shared her deeply personal journey from pain to purpose. Her story, filled with grit and grace, sparked tears, questions, and a standing ovation.
Participants later described the event as “life-changing” and urged the senator to build a formal mentorship structure so more young women can benefit from such platforms.
From Suspension to Resilience: Natasha’s Comeback
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s words hit harder given her own recent political ordeal. Just days before the event, she returned to the Senate after a controversial six-month suspension, during which she was barred from entering the National Assembly, her salary withheld, and her nameplate removed from her seat.
Her offence? Protesting the reassignment of her Senate seat – a move she described as a direct attempt to silence her.
Following a protracted legal battle, a federal high court ruled the suspension unconstitutional, forcing the Senate to reopen her office and reinstate her position.
On October 7, she walked back into the red chamber with quiet dignity and a handful of supporters. The message was clear: she’s not just back – she’s back with a mission.
“Politics is not my end goal,” she said at the event. “My fulfillment comes when I see true transformation in the lives of those who’ve been left behind.”
