The lecture which was held at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, was organized by the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN) under the leadership of Hon. Justice Helen Morenikeji Ogunwumiju, JCA and the Presiding Judge of the Benin Division of the Federal Court of Appeal.

The lecture titled Breaking the Yoke of Patriachy: Nigerian Women in the Professions, Politics and Governance 1914-2014, attracted the crème de-lacrème of the legal profession including the First Female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Folake Solanke (SAN), the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar, the President, Federal Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, the Administrator, National Judicial Institute, Justice Patricia Bozimo, Justice Constance Momoh Rtd, Justice Funmilayo Adekeye, Rtd Judge of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Amina Augie, Presiding Judge of the Lagos Division of the Federal Court of Appeal, Justice Binta Nyako, Justice A.A. Aderemi of the Oyo State High Court and Hon. Justice Grace Adedotun Onibokun of the High Court of Justice, Osun State, among others.

At the lecture, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso argued that Justice Aloma Maryama Mukhtar, in the course of her career, recorded many firsts and outdistanced men in a predominantly patriarchal society. She recorded several firsts and succeeded against all hurdles put on her way. For record purposes, Justice Aloma Mukhtar CJN GCON parades an enviable credential: 

(1) The first female lawyer from Northern Nigeria
(2) The first female Magistrate Grade I, North Eastern Government (1969 – 1973)
(3) Chief Registrar, Kano State Government Judiciary (1973 – 1977)
(4) The first female Judge of the High Court of Kano State Judiciary (1977)
(5) The first female Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria (1987)
(6) The first female President of the nation‟s Court of Appeal from 1993 to 2005.
(7) The first female Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (May 10, 2005)
(8) The first female Chief Justice of Nigeria (July 14, 2012-Nov. 20, 2014) 

He further argues that as the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mukhtar ushered Nigeria into the comity of nations that have females as their Chief Justices such as Israel, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Quebec, Canada, Zambia, Jamaica, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Brazil, among others. Prof. Oyeweso further contends that Mukhtar's appointment as the 13th Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), was a watershed in Nigeria's judicial history and the history of legal profession in Nigeria. "Her appointment was clear affirmation that a woman could reach and that Justice Aloma Mukhtar has, indeed, attained the zenith in her legal career. Apart from the fact that her appointment was richly deserved and well merited, Justice Aloma Mukhtar also makes history as the very first female to occupy that esteemed position since the nation had its first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria in 1958. In effect, Justice Mukhtar's appointment marked the genesis of a new era in the judicial history of Nigeria".

Another highlight of the lecture is that Justice Mukhtar demonstrated audacious courage and commitment to the rule of law. Alongside Justices George Oguntade and Walter Onnogben, Justice Mukhtar almost voided the outcome of the 2007 election that brought President Musa Yar'Adua and now President Jonathan to power. 

Prof. Siyan Oyeweso with members of  Association of Women Justice of Nigeria

While the quartet of Justice Kutigi, Katsina Alu Niki Tobi and Dahiru Musdapher dismissed the appeal of the then Presidential Candidate of the All Nigerian People‟s Party (ANPP), Justice Mukhtar, George Oguntade and Onnoghen held a dissenting view. They maintained that the allegation of substation noncompliance with the Electoral Act 2006 was proved by the petitioner. Indeed, a highly reputable and well respected British Magazine, in its April 8-15, 2013 edition assessed Justice Aloma's tenure and described her as “one of the 125 Women of Impact on the world. 

In conclusion, Prof. Oyeweso raised the poser: How would Justice Maryama Mukhtar Aloma wants to be remembered? While Informed Judicial observers and critical stakeholders of the legal professions have passed their own judgments, he posits that the retiring Chief Justice shares a pride of place with Lord Alfred Thompson Denning, Master of the Rolls for 20years, “Remembrance of me in good works, that is how I should like to be remembered”. It is therefore not a surprise that the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Bingham of Cornhill, UK described Lord Denning as “the best known and best lived judge in our history”

Prof. Oyeweso concludes that Justice Aloma is an upright judge who has succeeded significantly against all odds in sanitizing Nigeria Judicial System and who has restored public confidence in our Legal System.

Prof. Siyan Oyeweso delivering lecture in honour of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar CJN