International Women's Day: Taiwo Ajai Lycett, my idol

Tomorrow is the International Women's Day (8 March) , it is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.

International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men.

I thought to myself, which lady has most inspired me? I didn't have long to think, Taiwo Ajai Lycett. Growing up, I would mimic her mannerisms, accent and her roles generally. I have managed to achieve some of those aspirations by being an actress and a broadcaster but we are still working on the accent, lol. On a more serious note though, I love her to bits and hope to meet her soon;-0



Lycett had actually travelled to England to study Law but she studied Management and several other art-based courses instead.  She attended the Christine Shaw School of Beauty Science and Cosmetology, London, the North Stafforshire College of Technology (now Keele University) and graduated with a Higher National Diploma.

She had also worked at Klyon’s Tea Shop in the City from 1960-62 and studied at night schools and at Pitman’s College. Lycett was for many years the weekly presenter for the BBC’s magazine programme, Calling Nigeria-broadcasting from Bush House, London. For her immense contributions in her fatherland particularly, Lycett was honoured with Order of the Niger (OON) award by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during the Nigeria’s 47th Independence Day anniversary. Aside that, she was also honoured in the same year with the Heritage and Honours Award of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria.