Josephine "Joe" Obiajulu Okei-Odumakin is a Nigerian women's rights activist. She is the president of the rights groups Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy.
Life
Odumakin was born in Zaria, Kaduna on 4 July 1966. She grew up in a Roman Catholic household.
Work
In 1987, Odumakin received a bachelor's degree in English Education. Then she received a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling and a doctorate in History and Policy of Education from the University of Ilorin. She was arrested often for her activism, especially during the military rule of Ibrahim Babangida. She met her future husband, Yinka Odumakin, in prison.
Awards
In 2013, Odumakin received the International Women of Courage Award from the United States Department of State.
References
Other websites
2013 International Women of Courage Awards, U.S. State Department photostream on Flickr Secretary's International Women of Courage Award (U.S. Department of State)