<em>By </em><strong><em>Bayo Omoboriowo</em></strong><em>, documentary photographer, Special to CNN</em><br /><br /><strong><em>Editor's Note</em></strong><em>: Bayo Omoboriowo is a Nigerian award-winning documentary photographer and initiator of "</em><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Funseennigeria.com%2Fhome%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"><em>Unseen Nigeria</em></a><em>," an artistic movement celebrating the everyday women making a difference in their communities. Click through to gallery to read about and see some of his latest work, called the"100 Unsung Heroines Project," which seeks to discover and honor such women. Follow the "Unseen Nigeria" project on Twitter, </em><a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FUnseenNigeria" target="_blank" target="_blank"><em>@unseennigeria</em></a><em> and </em><a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FBayoOmoboriowo" target="_blank" target="_blank"><em>@bayoomoboriowo</em></a><em>. The opinions expressed in this article are solely his.</em><br /><br />It's only 6am Monday morning and already Lovefans Alfredo-Durugo is busy clearing old fishing nets and crates in one of the shanties the village chief graciously gave her to start her formal classroom sessions.
By Bayo Omoboriowo, documentary photographer, Special to CNN

Editor's Note: Bayo Omoboriowo is a Nigerian award-winning documentary photographer and initiator of "Unseen Nigeria," an artistic movement celebrating the everyday women making a difference in their communities. Click through to gallery to read about and see some of his latest work, called the"100 Unsung Heroines Project," which seeks to discover and honor such women. Follow the "Unseen Nigeria" project on Twitter, @unseennigeria and @bayoomoboriowo. The opinions expressed in this article are solely his.

It's only 6am Monday morning and already Lovefans Alfredo-Durugo is busy clearing old fishing nets and crates in one of the shanties the village chief graciously gave her to start her formal classroom sessions.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
She decides to take a break and reflect on her journey to Makoko, a slum neighborhood located in Lagos, Nigeria, with most of its structures constructed on stilts above the Lagos Lagoon.
She decides to take a break and reflect on her journey to Makoko, a slum neighborhood located in Lagos, Nigeria, with most of its structures constructed on stilts above the Lagos Lagoon.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
"Jostling catering and photography were certainly not an easy price to pay in order to fulfil this dream," she smiles to herself as she muses over her trajectory.
"Jostling catering and photography were certainly not an easy price to pay in order to fulfil this dream," she smiles to herself as she muses over her trajectory.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
Twenty five years later, Mama Makoko, 53, as she is now fondly called, has trained thousands of children in formal education.
Twenty five years later, Mama Makoko, 53, as she is now fondly called, has trained thousands of children in formal education.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
When asked what kept her going through the years, Mama Makoko replies with a deep sense of accomplishment, "These are my people. They needed my services and I devoted my life to ensuring that I provide a future for children who do not have access to formal education."
When asked what kept her going through the years, Mama Makoko replies with a deep sense of accomplishment, "These are my people. They needed my services and I devoted my life to ensuring that I provide a future for children who do not have access to formal education."
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
Nigeria is replete with stories of women with uncompromised values who have taken the wheel to drive their communities' development by leading exemplary lives, spearheading collective advocacy, inspiring and empowering young minds, and becoming crusaders for honesty, integrity, accountability, persistence, leadership, resilience, hope and the never-die spirit.
Nigeria is replete with stories of women with uncompromised values who have taken the wheel to drive their communities' development by leading exemplary lives, spearheading collective advocacy, inspiring and empowering young minds, and becoming crusaders for honesty, integrity, accountability, persistence, leadership, resilience, hope and the never-die spirit.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
For every Mama Makoko, there are thousands of unsung heroines who are empowering young people through education and life skills in the corners on Nigeria's urban and rural settlements.
For every Mama Makoko, there are thousands of unsung heroines who are empowering young people through education and life skills in the corners on Nigeria's urban and rural settlements.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
In spite of the little they make, many still share their bread with the hungry and bring education to the poor.
In spite of the little they make, many still share their bread with the hungry and bring education to the poor.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
"Unseen Nigeria," through its "100 Unsung Heroines Project," seeks to discover and honor such women who might otherwise remain unheard of. Our Unsung Heroines do not always make the news but they make the difference.
"Unseen Nigeria," through its "100 Unsung Heroines Project," seeks to discover and honor such women who might otherwise remain unheard of. Our Unsung Heroines do not always make the news but they make the difference.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
The "100 Unsung Heroines Project" will document, celebrate and empower the everyday woman -- especially in the informal sector -- who is making a difference in her community and project them as heroines and role models of our nation.
The "100 Unsung Heroines Project" will document, celebrate and empower the everyday woman -- especially in the informal sector -- who is making a difference in her community and project them as heroines and role models of our nation.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
"Unseen Nigeria" envisions a nation where the everyday woman is not seen as a second class citizen but through her hard work and productivity is strategically positioned to earn relevance anywhere she is found, creating enough room for the everyday woman to have access to information and opportunities that better position her for greatness.
"Unseen Nigeria" envisions a nation where the everyday woman is not seen as a second class citizen but through her hard work and productivity is strategically positioned to earn relevance anywhere she is found, creating enough room for the everyday woman to have access to information and opportunities that better position her for greatness.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
I believe in the unseen Nigerian women who in spite of the odds have risen above difficulties to earn themselves success and become role models to the younger generation.
I believe in the unseen Nigerian women who in spite of the odds have risen above difficulties to earn themselves success and become role models to the younger generation.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo
It is time we honor them. Now is the time to celebrate the "Unsung Heroines" of our nation!<br /><br /><em>The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Bayo Omoboriowo. </em><br />
It is time we honor them. Now is the time to celebrate the "Unsung Heroines" of our nation!

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Bayo Omoboriowo.
Courtesy Bayo Omoboriowo