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Hello and welcome to the Witness History podcast from the BBC World Service with me Rebecca Kesby.

2020 marks the 60th anniversary of Nigerian independence.

Today we look back at the life of a leading figure in the fight for democracy,

a pioneering feminist who galvanised local groups into powerful trades unions and inspired both women and men to build a new autonomous Nigeria, Margaret

Ekepo.

I think she was a natural leader that can bring women together to fight for a cause

naturally without too much efforts.

She was always surrounded by women anywhere she goes. She has women all over her because they looked up to her.

Bessie Eckpo is Margaret Eckpo's grandson. He lived with her as a child and remembers how her elegance, charm and flare for public speaking

also impressed the men. She had a way of getting the men to listen to her, to make the men do what she wants.

She was a very beautiful lady, you know, I mean if you see her picture when she was younger,

she was tall, elegant, she knows how to dress very well, you know, she was into fashion.

A lot of men were captivated by her. I think maybe that must have helped to make them listen to her.

Maca Epo was one of the first two women to be elected into political office in Nigeria.

Ed Ameka Kizor is a Nigerian hero. elected into political office in Nigeria.

Ed Ameka Kizor is a Nigerian historian who's written about Margaret Ekpo.

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