by FIDAFIDA Warri Commemorates Day of the African Child 2022
In commemoration of the International Day of the African Child with the theme “Eliminating Harmful Practices affecting Children”, FIDA Warri branch paid an advocacy visit to Edulyn Secondary School Ekpan, today the 17th of June 2022.
The advocacy visit was to sensitize and teach the students about what these harmful practices are the effects of such harmful practices, and the ways these harmful can be eliminated to protect the rights of the African child.
The event kick-started with the introduction of what FIDA is all about by the Secretary, Yinka Charles- Lucky and the Chairperson Ogechi Jessica Megbele was the Speaker at the event, sensitizing the students on these harmful practices.
Gallant FIDANs were in attendance and did justice to the questions and answers session. The students, teachers, and the School Management were thrilled to have FIDA (Nig) Warri Branch visit their school
by FIDACondolence Visit to The Governor of Ondo State
On June 15th, 2022 FIDA Oyo State, graciously received by FIDA Ondo State, paid a condolence visit to the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, in the wake of the dastardly murder of worshippers at the Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owo Ondo State. FIDA is vehemently opposed to all manner of violence.
May the souls of the departed find rest.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Strategic Roundtable Dialogue for CSOs On Gender Responsive Bills and The 2023 General Elections
On the 14th of June 2022, FIDA Nigeria conducted a Strategic Roundtable Dialogue for Civil Society Organizations On Gender Responsive Bills and The 2023 General Elections, An activity under the ActionAid We-You Project.
Discussions were centred around women and youth participation in politics with a panel session on gender-responsive bills, the outcome of the Federal High Court judgement on 35% affirmative action for women and their implications for women’s participation in politics. Also, strategies on the way forward since the passage of the gender-responsive bills were discussed. The panellists included Madam Ene Ede, Lois Auta and Madam Benjamin Dayo.
Some points highlighted during the panel session include:
– The need for Civil society organizations to engage with the media for broader reach by demystifying the concept of Gender through step-down trainings, simplification of the laws, statistics representation via info graphs, and regular publication on issues as they affect the right of women.
– Leaving no one behind by engaging women at all levels of the society in advocacy.
– The need to start the groundwork for women interested in vying for elective offices in the 2027 general elections.
Upon conclusion of the panel session, strategies on ensuring the inclusion of women in governance processes post-2023 general elections was also discussed.
by FIDAFIDA Lagos Marks 2022 Law Week with Talk Shops & Grand Dinner
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Lagos Branch 2022 Law week programme with the theme “Education as a Catalyst for Boosting the Self Image of the African Child” took place between 14th and 18th June 2022.
The opening ceremony was held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi , Victoria Island, Lagos under the distinguished Chairmanship of Tunde Busari, SAN. The Chairperson, Law Week Planning Committee, Abiola Laseinde, FCIS presented the welcome address while the FIDA Lagos Chairperson, Chinwe Efobi, FICMC made the opening remarks.
The keynote paper was presented by Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose SAN. The very enlightening and impactful presentation touched on several areas of the importance of quality education and came to the conclusion that the need for all-round education can never be overemphasized.
In the words of Bamgbose, “Educating the African Child is the best investment for societal development, and a positive self-image and development cannot be attained without education. If Africa desired a better image and development like other countries, then investment in education cannot be compromised, given that a positive self-image of a child cannot be accomplished without good education” she concluded.
There was a panel session after the presentation of the keynote lecture. The speakers were Mr. Owolabi Mayowa, Managing Partner PISTIS Partners LLP; Chairman, Continuing Legal Education, NBA Lagos. Dr. Ifyeyinwa Awagu, Director, Institute of Humanities Pan Atlantic University. Dr. Foluke Dada, Legal Researcher, Associate Professor, Caleb University Magodo Lagos. The panel session also had Mrs. Joy C. Ezeigbo, the Regional Vice President FIDA Africa and former DCVP FIDA Nigeria.
From their submissions, it was agreed that both formal and informal sectors of education need serious attention and a creative measure of delivering the curriculum is immediately necessary. Finally, the need for parental responsibilities through intentional parenting should be the ultimate for every parent who desires a progressive and sane society for economic development.
The 15th June, 2022 was set aside to brainstorm on “Capacity building sessions for the female professionals”. The virtual session had in attendance erudite speakers from different professional bodies who indeed did justice to the subject matter. The speakers were; Toyin Sani, Group CEO, Emerging Africa Capital. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, General Manager, Fixed Broadband MTN Nigeria. Yinka Ogunde, Principal Consultant EDUMARK. Mfon Usoro, Managing Partner, Paul Usoro & Co. The virtual event was graciously attended by the FIDA NIGERIA Country Vice President (CVP), Mrs. Amina Susanah Agbaje, who gave the opening remarks, FIDA Lagos Branch Exco and members, members from sister branches and the general public.
On the 16th day of June 2022, FIDA Lagos members and the Exco led by the Chairperson Mrs. Chinwe Efobi proceeded to the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children, Surulere Lagos to celebrate the International Day of the African Child and to join them in commemoration of their 60th Anniversary. FIDA Lagos made a presentation of food items and toiletries to the pupils who in return entertained us with well-presented songs. The event was an interactive and successful session.
The grand finale of the Law Week was the Red Carpet Dinner with the theme “The Red Banquet” which was held at Colossus International Hotels, Ikeja under the distinguished Chairmanship of Mr. Y. C. Maikyau SAN.
The FIDA Lagos Law week 2022 was indeed a well packaged, well attended, very impactful, and highly successful event.
by FIDADay Against Child Labour: FIDA Ondo Alongside Other Stakeholders Advocate Strengthening Of Social Protection System For Children
By OLUFISOYE ADENITAN
As the world celebrates International day against child labour with the theme ‘Universal social protection to end child labour’, Stakeholders have called for concerted efforts to improve social protection system for children.
According to United Nations, over 160 million children are still being used for labour, some as young as 5yrs.
Some stakeholders who spoke with Positive FM in Akure Ondo state were of the view that the figure was still high and worrisome hence the need for government to strengthen the social protection system to fight poverty, vulnerability and prevent child labour.
One of the stakeholders, the chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Ondo State, Mrs Jumoke Ogunjebi opined that eradication of child labour required a systemic approach and effective policies to strengthen the education system and also guarantee a decent workplace for parents and caregivers to address the conditions that drive child labour.
Mrs Ogunjebi explained that laws had been put in place by the Ondo state government to protect children against being used for labour.
Similarly, Mrs Folasade Bamigboye of the Kids &Teens Resource Centre Akure emphasized that child protection against labour should be taken seriously by the government to reduce the increasing criminal activities some children were regularly exposed to even at a tender age.
Mrs Bamigboye submitted that the government needed to ensure the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at fighting child labour in the country.
by FIDAWorld Day Against Child Labour 2022
Theme “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour”.
To commemorate this year’s International Day Against Child Labour FIDA Nigeria joins the call for increased investment in creating systematic social protection policies and programs which protect the child against all forms of labour.
With the efforts and strategies put in place by UNICEF to fight against Child Labour, in its 2021 report on Children Protection, “the number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide – an increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years – with 9 million additional children at risk due to the impact of COVID-19.
It is estimated that without mitigation strategies, the number of children in child labour could rise by 8.9 million in the world by the end of 2022, due to higher poverty and increased vulnerability.
The resultant effects of heightened poverty in our communities on already vulnerable children and their families is inextricably linked with rising levels of homelessness, inadequate nutrition and food insecurity, inadequate childcare, lack of access to health care, unsafe neighbourhoods, and under-resourced schools which forms a basis of child labour.
Although the Nigerian Government has in the past made moderate advancements in efforts to eliminate child labour, it has not been effective enough, even with the hiring by Government of over 400 new labour inspectors and with the enactment of the National Social Behavioural Change Communication Strategy for Elimination of Child Labour in Nigeria (2020–2023).
Children in Nigeria are therefore subjected to the worst forms of child labour which we must collectively aggressively work to stop.
STOP
• Children hawking on the streets rather than being in school
• Children forced to work as farm hands, housemaids, quarrying granite, artisanal mining, commercial sexual exploitation, slavery or similar practices
• Child trafficking in all ramifications whether for drug production and sale or other illegal acts, including debt bondage
• Forced recruitment into armed conflict
• Hazardous work that can cause injury or moral corruption.
FIDA calls for suitable and adequate Social Protection measures to therefore be put in place to end Child Labour or indeed strategically reduce child labour in our communities such as:
• Increased access and support to ensure children can attend and stay in well-equipped schools
• Well laid out and properly implemented plans to improve economic growth in communities, particularly at the grassroots levels
• Improved and impactful social support measures to aid the vulnerable, accessible directly by them without too many technicalities
• Low-cost housing accommodation built for the vulnerable in communities to provide shelter at minimal rates
• Government-owned safe spaces/homes for vulnerable children should be increased and made very conducive for the children
• Working diligently to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
• All key Stakeholders must take their legal and social responsibilities seriously; government must effectively guard the system and promptly punish defaulters to serve as a deterrent
If the above is effectively implemented, it will ensure a protective and conducive environment for the best development of the child
Furthermore, the Child’s Right Act has been adopted by only 25 out of Nigeria’s 36 States, leaving the remaining 11 states in northern Nigeria with legal statutes that do not meet international standards for the prohibition of child trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, and illicit activities. It is important that all states address issues concerning their laws and legal framework
It is additionally worrisome and pertinent to note that the minimum age for work in the Labour Act does not apply to children who are self-employed or working in the informal economy. This calls for an urgent action to be taken to address some of the real challenges faced and the gaps in the system which enable child labour
With the grave security challenges all around the country, children are forced out of their burnt/ destroyed homes and communities; displaced such that they must take refuge in an IDP camp where as young as 8 years of age, a child ends up as head of his home forced to fend to provide for their surviving families. This trend must STOP!
As we mark the World Day Against Child Labour 2022, we stress that the battle to protect that child concerns everyone because children are the leaders of tomorrow, we must deliberately shield and protect, educate and empower our children to be the best they can be
Signed:
Mrs. Amina Suzanah Agbaje
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria.
by FIDASTRENGTHENING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND LOCAL ENGAGEMENT
Our focus is aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations towards improving local engagements with key stakeholders within two component areas on countering trafficking in persons and providing effective prevention & response on issues of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Child Early Forced Marriage.
The project is implemented across six states namely Bauchi, FCT, Katsina, Delta, Osun, and Ebonyi State. Some of the activities implemented on this project include a Project Inception Meeting, mapping of 24 communities for project intervention, and NEEDS assessment for 30 Civil Society Organizations. Community Inception meetings were held in 24 communities, and the development of formative research on best practices in curbing SGBV &CEFM. Capacity Building workshop for Civil Society Organizations on SGBV & CEFM Prevention & Response Capacity Building workshop for Traditional & Faith Leaders as SGBV & CEFM advocates & Paralegals Capacity Building for Prosecutors & Judicial Officers on countering trafficking in persons Mentorship & Coaching Sessions for Civil Society Organisations & Traditional Leaders Legal & Psycho-social support for GBV Survivors Bi-annual Coordination Meeting on SGBV & CEFM Stakeholders.
Results/Outcomes of activities implemented: Strengthened capacity of 30 Civil Society Organisations in providing effective prevention and response mechanisms on Sexual & Gender-Based Violence, Child & Early Forced Marriage cases. Improved capacities of Traditional & Religious Leaders to institutionalize bye-laws and serve as advocates & paralegals on SGBV issues in 24 local communities across Nigeria. Strengthened capacity of Judges, Magistrates & Prosecutors in countering trafficking in persons. Project supported by USAID/ Palladium for a period of Five years in Bauchi, Katsina, Delta, FCT, Ebonyi, and Osun State.
by FIDANight out with FIDA International Historian Gladys Mbuya
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) led by her International Director, Ezinwa Okoroafor recently hosted a night out with FIDA International Historian and Country Vice President (CVP) of FIDA Cameroon, Gladys Mbuya in Abuja. Gladys was accompanied by Ramatu Abdu, Coordinator of the Association for the Welfare of Women and Indigenous People of ASOWWIP Cameroon.
The fun-filled evening was graced by past Regional Country Vice Presidents of FIDA, Chief Mrs. Victoria Awomolo, SAN, and Barr. Mrs. Oby Nwosu., the CVP of FIDA Nigeria, Mrs. Amina Suzanah Agbaje, CVP Emeritus Rhoda Prevail Tyoden, past FIDA Nigeria Financial Secretary, Ijeoma Agwu, Chair of FIDA Abuja, Chibuzo Maureen Nwosu, past FIDA Abuja Branch Chairs Ngozi Ikenga and Rekia Rachael Adejo-Andrew, past branch Vice-Chair, Ozioma Izuora, Past PRO Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, other members of the branch, Roseline Tasha and Lillian Okenwa, Editor-in-Chief, Law & Society Magazine.
Source: Lillian Okenwa
by FIDAFIDA Condemns the Sporadic Shooting and Horrific Massacre of Innocent Worshipers at the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State
Another bloody weekend in Nigeria where yet again innocent citizens, this time worshipers in church on a Sunday are in broad daylight gunned down by unknown gunmen for no just cause, resulting in the great loss of many lives while leaving several others wounded, not to mention the wanton destruction of property and breach of peace at a place of supposed sanctuary and refuge where worshipers assemble
The government, its agencies and officials cannot continue to pay lip service to the terrible plight of Nigerian citizens when they are sworn to protect and defend them. We are tired of hearing government’s excuses and condemnation of the evil activities of criminals. We demand decisive action from them
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria continues to strongly condemn the inhumane treatment of Nigerian citizens who now live in abundant fear and cannot freely move around the country
The dastardly act of the sporadic shooting at the congregation of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo Kingdom, in Ondo State is a shame on the government who have once again failed her citizens
FIDA Nigeria is greatly saddened by the high rate of ongoing killings due to religious intolerance in many parts of the country. This is a major threat to the basic human rights of Nigerians, consequently, government must put an end to this menace
Nigerians being entitled to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion as well as the right to freedom from discrimination on grounds of religion must be protected from such attacks steered at depriving them of the enjoyment of their rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution
Government must similarly live up to the expectations of defending and protecting her citizens, especially as the recent security situation in Nigeria has continued to grossly deteriorate, leaving confusion, disorder, breach of peace, and security as the new order of the day.
This is intolerable as Citizens are entitled to enjoy their right to life and property. We must appreciate that without peace and social order, there cannot be stability, growth, and development. As such, our people cannot reach their full potential, and this is a great loss and a tremendous disservice to the nation.
FIDA Nigeria condemns this attack (on the worshipers and the church) which is one too many in Nigeria and demands that the culprits be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
FIDA stands resolutely behind justice and speaks out strongly against all forms of evil perpetuated in the society against vulnerable citizens
FIDA Nigeria commiserates with the families of the deceased and the good people of Owo, Ondo State, we urge the Federal Government and the State Government to spare no effort in bringing those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice
Signed:
Mrs. Amina Suzanah Agbaje
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria.
by FIDACourtesy Visit NEEM Foundation
On the 6th of June 2022, FIDA Nigeria received a delegation from NEEM Foundation. The courtesy visit was aimed at re-establishing a working relationship with FIDA Nigeria on the re-opening of the One-stop centre with support from UNFPA.
The Country Vice president in her remarks commended the NEEM Foundation and UNFPA for coming. The CVP however expressed her concerns for the continuity of the One-Stop Centre after the duration of the project and a need for survivors to trust the structure to outlive project lifecycle. She however pledged the unwavering support of FIDA Nigeria in rejuvenating the Centre whilst providing free legal representation to the Centre’s clients.
