Martina Chukwuma-Ezike becomes first black woman Lord Rector at Aberdeen varsity

Family, friends, and well-wishers converged in Abuja, the nation’s capital, to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Nigeria’s Martina Abang Chukwuma-Ezike, who became the first black woman to be elected as the Lord Rector of the University of Aberdeen in its 500-year history.

The Cross River-born CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland, United Kingdom, was recently officially installed as the Rector of the university at a ceremony held at the university’s King’s College Chapel.

Martina is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen, having completed her MBA in 2009.

She has maintained a longstanding relationship with the student body by offering mentoring, volunteering, and work placement opportunities at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, which she founded in 2009.

Martina possesses a range of skills and experience from holding various management positions within the oil and gas sector and leading a charity with national reach.

Her election as the Lord Rector of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland sparked immense excitement in Nigeria, prompting friends and family to roll out the red carpet in her honour.

In celebration of this historic accomplishment, a reception was organised at Abuja’s Transcorp Hilton to honour this outstanding Nigerian.

A former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, and other dignitaries acknowledged the significance of her new office and how she has made the country proud on the global stage.

Imoke commended her courage and described her as a woman with a “good heart.”

He said, “She’s accomplished more than people accomplish in a lifetime outside of her own country. When she was speaking, and we were listening to her, I was wondering whether, if she had remained in Nigeria, she would have accomplished so much.

“This is a good reason for us as Nigerians to have and hold her up as a role model. She’s a wonderful young woman who has done so much, not just for herself and her family, but also for us. It’s a time we celebrate people like that. I’m glad we have the opportunity to celebrate this highly accomplished young woman.”

Also speaking, Catherine Agba Ajibike, the representative of the Head of the Alumni Association, University of Aberdeen, said Martina is a clear example of what the girl child can achieve when supported.

According to her, the time has come for women to be given a chance in the boardroom to showcase their skills and talents for the development of society.

Her father, Soni Abang, said that as a father, he played a vital role in her life and gave her the necessary support she needed to succeed.

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He said that because of his daughter, anytime he visited Scotland, he received the same treatment as every other citizen of the UK.

In her remarks, Martina urged young people to have confidence in themselves and believe that they can achieve anything anyone else can achieve, emphasizing that Nigerians have the talent and skills to succeed.

“I want every little young girl watching this to know that being a girl does not stop you from achieving great things. If I can do it, they too can do it,” she added.