“No Longer Fashionable to Say Women Belong in the Kitchen” – Funmi Falana

Funmi Falana, SAN, Director of Women Empowerment and Legal Aid, has urged young girls and women in Nigeria to claim their rightful place in society.

Funmi, the wife of well-known human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN, made it clear that the old notion of women belonging in the kitchen is outdated and no longer holds water.

Speaking at a banquet in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, she addressed the crowd during an event hosted by the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice. The ceremony was in honor of newly recognized Senior Advocates of Nigerian (SAN) origin from the state, marking part of the celebrations for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s second year in office.

Among those honored were Funmi herself, Chief Lawrence Falade, Mrs. Folasade Alli, Mr. Adeoye Babatunde, Emmanuel Olayiwola, Ayoola Ajayi, Mrs. Oluronke Adeyemi, and Mr. Adeola Adedipe.

Overwhelmed with joy, Funmi described the recognition as more than just an award—it was a call to action. “The lesson is that you can still be honored in your own state. The idea that a prophet is not honored in his town does not arise again. We are glad that our state has recognized our worth and honor,” she said.

She urged younger generations to take a cue from their achievements: “We have been placed in a position of role model unto the younger ones coming to see that if you put a lot of work into whatever you do, you can get to the top.”

On the topic of women’s progress, Funmi didn’t mince words. “My own personality has been the fight for women’s rights and the defense of the oppressed people of Nigeria. That has been my work, and I am sure I got this honor as a result of my work and contribution to the development of women’s law,” she explained.

She pointed out that many women still aren’t where they need to be in society. “That is why a few of us that have come to this length are examples unto them that the saying that the place of a woman is the kitchen is no longer fashionable,” she remarked.

With passion in her voice, she encouraged women to rise above societal expectations and strive for greatness. “A woman can get to the top of her career if she puts in hard work. So, it is a lesson for all women to rise and take their proper place in society, realizing that they are as important as their male counterparts.” She continued, “There is no limitation for women wherever they find themselves, they should refuse to be marginalized, they should refuse to be discriminated against.”

Mrs. Folasade Alli, another honoree, also expressed her appreciation for the recognition. She is the eldest daughter of Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, a highly respected figure in Nigeria’s legal community. “This is an encouragement to all that wherever you are, do your best as an Ekiti person,” Alli said.

Governor Oyebanji, who presented the awards, congratulated the new silks, emphasizing that their success was the result of years of hard work and dedication.

Earlier, Dayo Apata, SAN, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, reflected on the state’s impressive legacy of legal excellence. He shared that the tradition began with Aare Afe Babalola in 1978, who was the first SAN from the region. “Today, we have as many as over 50 SANs in Ekiti State,” Apata revealed.

He added with pride, “It should be noted that we have many of them in Ilawe and Ikere Ekiti while many other towns and communities are following them.”…[CONTINUE READING HERE]>>