Since her appointment as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman, has continued to earn people’s respect owing largely to her brilliance. Listening to her during any chat, you cannot but love her for her self-esteem.

But even as she strives to make a name for herself in the society, rumour mongers have not ceased to weave a romantic tale about her with Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

Not unmindful of this, the NPA boss, during a recent TV talk show, described it as an over flogged story that has been on for a while.

“I am definitely not his girlfriend. The governor is my mentor and my boss. He has been very supportive of my career and the career of every other woman that has worked for him.

“As you are aware, Kaduna State is the first State in northern Nigeria that has an elected female deputy governor; so you can see he has that commitment having women in positions of authority. So, that rumour is completely untrue,” asserted the NPA boss.

During the chat monitored by Society Watch, she further explained how she attained success in a male-dominated industry, saying ”I just always remain bold and confident, always be better than them (men) and always try to know more than they know.”

The 44-year-old single mother of two is a politician. She is one of the few women identified with the BringBackOurGirls Movement.

Her appointment in July 2016 into such a plum position by President Muhammadu Buhari generated a bit of controversy as many saw it as ethnically-based and questioned her qualification and experience for the role.

Hadiza however, said such sentiment was part of attempts to pull down women who are in high positions in society.