Ambassador Hajiya Hassiat Ozavize Suleiman is a businesswoman, politician, and humanitarian known for her grassroots mobilization and unwavering commitment to public service and community development. Her influence spans both local and state levels, particularly in her home Local Government Area of Okehi, Kogi State.
𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Born on November 7, 1973, in Ihima, Okehi LGA, to Mallam Suleiman and Binta Odeh, Amb. Hajiya Suleiman was raised in a family that valued education and hard work. She attended LSMB Primary School, Obeiba Ihima, Kogi State, where her leadership qualities were recognized early. After graduating in 1984, she furthered her education at Government Girls Unity School, Oboroke. Amb. Suleiman earned an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Business Studies from the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, and later obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Strategic Studies from Highestone Global University, Texas, USA.
𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀
Following her mandatory National Youth Service at the Federal Ministry of Commerce in Abuja from 1999 to 2000, Amb. Suleiman pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Management at the University of Calabar, which she completed in 2002. She briefly worked with the Kogi State Civil Service at the state liaison office from 2003 to 2007 before transitioning into full-time international business, focusing on trade and general contracting. Alongside her business ventures, she remained active in politics and philanthropic activities.
𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
Amb. Suleiman’s political journey gained momentum in 2011, with her leadership in mobilizing women and youth during the 2015 general elections through her organization, 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘖𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 . Her political influence grew when she became the only woman on Kogi State’s 21-member Fund Raising Committee for President Buhari’s 2015 campaign. She also played an active role in the 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 Campaign.
In 2017, she was appointed as an APC National Delegate from Okehi LGA and later served as Chairman of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO). Her tenure was marked by recognition from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for her efforts in combating illegal mining and promoting community development. In the Kogi-East district of the state, her committee was instrumental in addressing and resolving conflicts in mining communities.
In 2019, she was appointed as the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Mineral Resources Development Agency, a role she held until the end of her tenure. Currently, she works as a private consultant in the mining sector, as well as managing her other business ventures.
In September 2024, Amb. Suleiman was appointed by His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman-Ododo, as the Special Adviser on Strategic Investment and Liaison with Federal Agencies, in recognition of her strengths and efforts toward the development of the state and the betterment of her people.
𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆
Amb. Suleiman is a passionate advocate for women and youth empowerment. She founded the 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘖𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 to support economic independence for women and initiated various programs to uplift rural communities. Her efforts have included providing sewing and grinding machines to women across Okehi LGA to promote entrepreneurship. Her philanthropy extends to supporting widows, orphans, and the needy in Abuja and across Kogi State.
𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
In recognition of her leadership, humanitarian services, and youth mentorship efforts, Amb. Suleiman has received several awards, including:
– The Leadership Excellence and Nation Building Heroine Award by BOJ TV
– The International Ambassador for Peace Award
– The Role Model Award by Greenland News Magazine
𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲
Amb. Suleiman is a mother of two and a mentor to many. Her dedication to social change and community development remains evident through her continued work in both the public and private sectors.
