Florence Ita Giwa

Florence Ita Giwa is a Nigerian politician and advocate, best known as the Senator for Cross River South Senatorial District from 1999 to 2007. She is also widely recognized as "Mama Bakassi" for her tireless advocacy on behalf of the Bakassi people during the Nigeria-Cameroon territorial dispute. As of 2026, at 80 years old, she remains an influential and respected figure in Nigerian public life, celebrated for breaking the political glass ceiling as one of the first women to chair a major political party in the country.

Her career spans decades of public service, from her early role as Chairman of the National Republican Convention (NRC) for Delta State to her time in the Senate. Known for her elegance and socialite status, she has kept a prominent public profile, attending high-society events and maintaining an active presence on social media. Her legacy is defined by her resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to her people. [edit]

Florence Mayen Ita-Giwa was born on 19 February 1946 in the Atabong area of Bakassi Local Government, a coastal region in Cross River State known for its rich cultural heritage and strategic location near the Cameroon border. Her father, Obong Ofiong Umoh, belonged to a prominent traditional family, giving her a privileged upbringing that exposed her to the challenges of her community from an early age.

Growing up in Bakassi, she witnessed firsthand the issues of territorial integrity, resource management, and underdevelopment that would later shape her political agenda. Her path to public life began with political activism and party organization, breaking barriers in a male-dominated landscape. Before her Senate career, she served as Chairman of the National Republican Convention (NRC) for Delta State, a role that made her one of the first women to hold such a prominent party leadership position in Nigeria. This early role, outside her home state, demonstrated her political acumen and set the stage for her later national prominence. [edit]

Florence Ita Giwa's breakthrough came in 1999 when she was elected Senator for Cross River South Senatorial District, a position she held until 2007. During her tenure, she focused on infrastructure, education, and women's rights, advocating for her constituents and bringing national attention to the Bakassi region.

After leaving the Senate, she became a vocal advocate for the Bakassi people during the Nigeria-Cameroon territorial dispute, earning the title "Mama Bakassi." Her advocacy kept her in the public eye and solidified her reputation as a fearless champion of her community. In 2026, she celebrated her 80th birthday with national tributes from President Bola Tinubu and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, who praised her as a "lighthouse of courage" and a trailblazer who broke the political glass ceiling. [edit]

Florence Ita Giwa is widely known as "Mama Bakassi," a title that reflects both maternal warmth and fierce advocacy for her people. Media portrayals emphasize her resilience, courage, and trailblazing role as a female politician in Nigeria. She is celebrated for her elegance and grace, often described as a "high-flying politician and socialite."

Her public persona blends political gravitas with high-society glamour, a combination that has kept her relevant for decades. On social media, she shares motivational messages and political commentary, engaging with a diverse audience. Her Instagram bio, which encourages embracing aging, has resonated with many, while her political stances have also drawn criticism, reflecting the polarized nature of Nigerian discourse. Fans admire her as a "real Queen mother," while critics have not hesitated to voice opposition. [edit]

Florence Ita Giwa commands a distinct sphere of influence within Nigerian public life, recognized primarily for her historic political tenure and enduring advocacy rather than global celebrity status. Her reach extends deeply across Cross River State and the broader Nigerian political landscape, where she is revered as a matriarchal figure and a pioneer for women in governance. However, in terms of worldwide visibility, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated her profile without assigning a placement in the published rankings, meaning she currently holds no position on the Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific list. This absence of a numeric rank reflects her stature as a respected stateswoman whose fame is rooted in policy and legacy rather than viral metrics or international chart performance. The audience surrounding her is not a mobilized fandom with rituals or campaigns but a collection of political allies, admirers, and constituents who honor her service. While she maintains an active digital presence with tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, these interactions focus on inspirational messaging and political milestones rather than the reciprocal intimacy typical of pop culture fanbases. There is no formal name for this group, nor are there records of organized fan projects supporting her career. Her legacy is defined by the story of her resilience following the assassination of her husband, Dele Giwa, and her subsequent rise to become one of the first women to chair a major political party in Nigeria. Tributes from national leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, frame her life as an epic of courage, cementing her reputation through official recognition rather than fan-driven hype.[edit]

Florence Ita Giwa was born Florence Mayen Ita-Giwa in the Atabong area of Bakassi, a region that later became the center of a major territorial dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon. She comes from a prominent lineage; her father, Obong Ofiong Umoh, belonged to a traditional royal family. Often described by The Sun newspaper as "the high-flying politician and socialite," she balances a decades-long public service career with a vibrant social presence. Her Instagram bio captures her philosophy on aging: "Do not be afraid of the prospect of Aging, It is inevitable, work hard to...". A defining element of her cultural mythology is her identity as the widow of the late journalist Dele Giwa, whose assassination in 1993 led her to adopt the surname Ita-Giwa, cementing her status as a symbol of endurance in Nigerian media history. Her most significant modern narrative moment occurred during her 80th birthday celebration in February 2026. High-profile figures like President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu honored her, with Otu dubbing her "Cross River's Lighthouse of Courage." Another widely cited moniker, "Mama Bakassi," reflects her deep ties to the region and her role as a matriarch. At her milestone celebration, Nigerian actress Iyabo Ojo wore a floor-length scarlet Medlin Couture gown, highlighting the event's glamour.[edit]

Florence Ita Giwa was born to Obong Ofiong Umoh, a man of traditional prominence in the Bakassi area. Her family background placed her in a position of influence from an early age, though details about her siblings are not publicly documented.

Her marriage to Dele Giwa, the late founder of Newswatch magazine, lasted about ten months and ended in divorce due to irreconcilable differences. The marriage produced no children. As of 2026, she is not known to have any children, and her current household remains private. She has often spoken of her family roots in Bakassi, which have deeply influenced her advocacy work. [edit]

Florence Ita Giwa is associated with her late husband, Dele Giwa, the renowned journalist and founder of Newswatch magazine. She is also connected to President Bola Tinubu and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, who have publicly celebrated her contributions. Her advocacy work has linked her to the Bakassi community and various Nigerian political figures. [edit]

Florence Ita Giwa's only documented marriage was to Dele Giwa, the renowned Nigerian journalist and founder of Newswatch magazine. The couple married in the early 1980s, but their union lasted approximately ten months before ending in divorce due to irreconcilable differences. The marriage produced no children.

Dele Giwa's assassination in 1986 by a letter bomb remains one of Nigeria's most infamous unsolved cases, and Ita Giwa's connection to him has kept this part of her personal history in the public eye. After her divorce, she did not remarry publicly, and no other romantic relationships have been reported. As of 2026, she is reportedly single, focusing on her public engagements and family legacy. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Florence Ita Giwa's net worth is estimated at $5 million as of 2026. This figure reflects a long career in public service, her family's traditional prominence in Bakassi, and a lifestyle associated with high-society circles. While specific financial details remain private, her wealth is believed to stem from her senatorial salary and allowances during her tenure representing Cross River South from 1999 to 2007. Her earlier role as Chairman of the National Republican Convention (NRC) for Delta State also provided a steady income stream. Unlike entertainment or sports figures, her assets are not publicly itemized, yet her continued presence in political and social spheres suggests a comfortable financial standing. As she enters her ninth decade, her net worth remains stable, supported by her enduring influence and public engagements.[edit]