by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Grieves at the Horrific Loss of Children whose lives were cut in their prime, in Ibadan – Demands a full investigation and Justice
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria is deeply heartbroken by the devastating tragedy that unfolded on the 18th of December, 2024, at the Islamic High School in Basorun, Ibadan, during which a stampede occurred, at what should have been a joyous Children’s Christmas Funfair, which claimed the lives of 35 innocent children, leaving several others in critical condition, fighting for survival.
At this festive period, this is a great tragedy with an unimaginable loss, which has undoubtedly shattered many families and the community, turning what should have been a season of love, blessings and celebration into a period of inconsolable grief.
These young souls, who would have been probable future champions of the country, left their homes in excitement filled with the joy and wonder of the festive season, only to have their dreams dashed and abruptly cut short. Their laughter, their light, and their promising future have been cruelly snatched away. What a great loss to the families affected, the community and the nation at large.
FIDA Nigeria stands in unwavering solidarity with the grieving families whose pain is beyond measure.We extend our deepest condolences and offer prayers for strength and healing, during this time of overwhelming grief.
To the injured children battling for their lives, we send heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
This tragedy underscores the critical need for responsible leadership; for proactive steps to be taken in the protection and preservation of the rights and interests of children.
FIDA Nigeria calls for an immediate and urgent comprehensive investigation to be carried out to identify and address the lapses that led to this preventable unfortunate calamity.
The lives of our children, our most precious treasures, were entrusted to a system and process that has catastrophically failed them. Those responsible must face the full weight of the law, ensuring that no family ever endures such anguish again.
This sorrowful event should propel us into prompt action, to review our child protection policies, ensure accountability; ensure practical workable structures and processes are put in place regarding all matters that concern children; whilst also ensuring full adherence to the strictest safety protocols and compliance; with effective monitoring, particularly in institutions, schools, public places and events involving children.
FIDA Nigeria at this time urges all event organizers, government authorities/ agencies, and private sector stakeholders to prioritize the safety and lives of our children above all else. No festive celebration, no matter how well-intentioned, is worth the loss of a single life.
As a staunch advocate for the rights of women and children, FIDA Nigeria remains resolute in its mission to safeguard the lives and future of our lovely Nigerian children. Following full investigation, those found wanting must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent such that justice is seen to be served.
To the nation, we make a heartfelt plea: let us unite in mourning and in action. Together, we must honor the memory of these lost children by building a strong united society where safety and compassion are the cornerstones of every public gathering. Let us hold these grieving families in our thoughts, hearts and prayers. Their pain is our collective pain, and their loss is one we must all bear with resolve and determination.
For FIDA Nigeria
Signed
Eliana Martins
Country Vice President
FIDA Nigeria
Chineze Obianyo
National Publicity Secretary
FIDA Nigeria FIDA Nigeria
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria’s 16 Days of Activism: Empowering Women, Amplifying Voices, Ending GBV
In commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25 – December 10, 2024) and International Human Rights Day, FIDA Nigeria led transformative initiatives that impacted lives and strengthened the fight against GBV across the nation.
FIDA Nigeria empowered 60 women across Anambra, Rivers, Ondo, Plateau, and the FCT through skill-building and livelihood programs, paving the way for financial independence. When women are economically empowered, they build resilience to challenge gender stereotypes and societal norms that subjugate their rights.
Across all our branches, we conducted campaigns, advocacy walks, and sensitization programs in communities, schools, marketplaces, and media platforms. These activities raised awareness on gender-based violence and provided opportunities to educate citizens about their rights, available support systems, and the importance of speaking out against abuse.
As part of our outreach efforts, FIDA Nigeria visited Human Rights Radio Abuja to further amplify the message of the 16 Days of Activism. Through this platform, we engaged listeners, sensitized the public on GBV issues, and emphasized the critical role of collective action in combating abuse.
During this period, FIDA Nigeria also provided free legal aid and counseling services to survivors of GBV, ensuring that justice is not just a concept but a lived reality. Our dedicated legal teams worked tirelessly to give survivors a voice and hold perpetrators accountable.
Through strengthened partnerships with community leaders, law enforcement agencies, and stakeholders, we created spaces where survivors felt seen, heard, and supported.
FIDA Nigeria’s efforts during the 16 Days of Activism further reaffirm our unwavering commitment to ending GBV and empowering women and children across Nigeria.
FIDANigeria #16DaysOfActivism #PubSec
by FIDAEliana Martins Expresses Gratitude as Newly Elected Country Vice President of FIDA Nigeria
With a heart filled with gratitude and great humility, I express my deepest appreciation to all FIDANs for the incredible support and trust bestowed upon me as your newly elected Country Vice President; and friends for the good wishes and prayers.
This victory is not just mine—it is ours. It represents the strength of our collective resolve, the power of our shared vision, and the unwavering dedication of each of you to the cause of justice and equity for women and children across the nation.
I am truly moved by the love, encouragement, and faith you have shown throughout this journey. To my colleagues, mentors, and friends, your belief in me has been my greatest source of strength. I promise to lead with the passion, integrity, and commitment that this great organization deserves.
Together, we will face challenges, break barriers, and create lasting change. As we embark on this journey, let us remain united, inspired, and resolute in our mission to build a better and more just world.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. This is just the beginning of something extraordinary, and I am honored to lead alongside such remarkable team mates and individuals.
With love and gratitude,
Eliana Martins
Country Vice President (CVP)
FIDA Nigeria
by FIDAAn Evening of Culture, Color, and Celebration: A Red Affair!
The Cultural Night of the FIDA Nigeria Triennial Conference 2024 was a mesmerizing showcase of Nigeria’s unity through its rich and diverse heritage, with the theme “A Red Affair” adding a bold and vibrant touch to the festivities.
Why the Night Was Simply Unforgettable:
Spellbinding cultural performances transported the audience across Nigeria’s stunning landscapes and traditions, celebrating the beauty and depth of our diverse cultures.
FIDAns from different branches graced the stage with their smooth dance steps, immersing everyone in the vibrant essence of their unique traditions.
A Red Affair: Attendees embraced the night’s theme by dressing beautifully in elegant red attire, turning the venue into a sea of bold, stunning shades of red. Each outfit symbolized passion, unity, and the shared pride in our heritage, creating a visually captivating atmosphere.
A night filled with music, laughter, and dance, uniting members and guests in joyous celebration and making the event a true reflection of the spirit of togetherness.
The Cultural Night was more than just an event—it was a soul-stirring experience, celebrating the richness of our shared heritage and the strength of our collective spirit, with the vibrant red theme tying it all together in harmony.
#FIDAat60 #CulturalNight2024 #UnityInDiversity #ARedAffair #CelebratingHeritage #WomenInJustice #FIDAImpact #FIDATriennial2024 #CulturalShowcase
by FIDAA New Chapter Unfolds at FIDA Nigeria!
The FIDA @ 60 Triennial Conference and AGM was an extraordinary event, marking a historic milestone for our esteemed organization. It was a time to reflect on our journey, celebrate our progress, and most importantly, usher in a fresh era of visionary leadership.
On Tuesday, November 26th, 2024, during the Triennial General Meeting, the stage was set for the election of our new executives. The day’s activities culminated in an unforgettable Inauguration and Handover Ceremony at the Formal Closing Dinner, where the baton of leadership was officially passed to a dynamic team ready to guide FIDA Nigeria into its next phase of greatness.
Meet the newly elected National Executive Team:
- Eliana Martins – CVP/National President
- Olubunmi Arajuwa – Deputy CVP/Deputy National President
- Rekia Rachael Adejo-Andrew – National Secretary
- Nnenna Igbokwe – Assistant National Secretary
- Beatrice Awah – National Treasurer
- Philomena Nneji – National Financial Secretary
- Chineze Obianyo – National Publicity Secretary
- Amina Suzanah Agbaje – Ex-Officio
We extend our best wishes to these exceptional leaders as they take on the responsibility of steering FIDA Nigeria to greater heights.
Let us celebrate this new beginning and reaffirm our commitment to the vision and mission of FIDA Nigeria. Together, we will continue to break barriers and build bridges for the benefit of women, children, and society at large.
FIDAat60 #Leadership #EmpoweringWomen #BreakingBarriersBuildingBridges
by FIDACelebrating 60 Years of Impact: FIDA Nigeria Holds Thanksgiving Service and Outreach
On Sunday, 24th November 2024, FIDA Nigeria held a heartfelt Thanksgiving Service and Outreach Program at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International Headquarters (Annex), Wuye, Abuja. This special day was dedicated to thanking God Almighty for six decades of remarkable impact and progress in advancing the rights of women and children in Nigeria.
The Thanksgiving Service was a spiritually uplifting session filled with heartfelt worship, fervent prayers, and moments of deep reflection by members of the association. It was a time to celebrate milestones achieved and renew the commitment to FIDA Nigeria’s mandate.
FIDA Nigeria extends profound gratitude to everyone who joined in commemorating this significant milestone. Your support remains invaluable in our ongoing efforts to protect, preserve, and promote the rights of women and children.
#FIDAAt60 #ThanksgivingService #Celebrating60YearsOfProgress #FIDANigeria
by FIDALa Fiesta: A Night to Remember at FIDA @ 60 Anniversary Celebrations
What an unforgettable evening it was at the FIDA @ 60 Party, aptly named La Fiesta!
Hosted by the Country Vice President (CVP), Amina Suzanah Agbaje, the celebration brought the anniversary festivities to a crescendo at her residence on Sunday, 24th November 2024. Delegates were treated to a vibrant and sumptuous evening filled with joy, laughter, and sisterly camaraderie.
The event featured inspiring speeches, lively music, and spirited dancing as delegates took to the dance floor to commemorate 60 remarkable years of shared progress and achievements. The atmosphere was festive, reflecting the unity and resilience that define FIDA Nigeria.
La Fiesta was indeed an evening of elegance and jubilation—the FIDA Nigeria way! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who graced the occasion and contributed to its glitz, glamour, and panache.
FIDAAt60 #LaFiesta #Celebrating60YearsofProgress #BreakingBarriersBuildingBridges
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Statement on the 2024 16 Days’ of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
As the global community observes the 16 Days’ of Activism against Gender-Based Violence commemorated annually from the 25th of November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to the 10th of December (Human Rights Day), FIDA Nigeria stands in solemn solidarity with the millions of women and girls whose lives have been shattered by the devastating consequences of violence.
The theme for this year’s 16 Days’ of Activism Against Gender Based Violence is, “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls”. This theme is a targeted campaign to increase awareness and spur action to end violence against women and girls particularly as the world approaches the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025 (a blueprint for achieving gender equality and women’s rights).
The crisis of gender based violence has indeed reached a crescendo globally, with statistics showing that nearly 1 in 3 women have experienced violence in their lifetime. In Nigeria, gender based violence has taken a disturbing turn with women and girls often at the receiving end. Every day, women endure horrific abuse in silence—beaten, raped, assaulted and often killed by those they trust the most. These acts of violence are not isolated incidents but a growing scourge that has seeped into the very fabric of our society, leaving deep scars in its wake.
The Nigerian woman is battered by violence from all angles:
- In her own home—a place where safety is expected, she is locked in a vicious cycle of domestic violence and forced to endure humiliation and terror.
- In the workplace—where her voice is often silenced and her body becomes a battleground for exploitation and harassment.
- In her community—where harmful practices, like child marriages, forced and early marriages, female genital mutilation, harmful traditional and cultural practices continue to rob her of her right and dignity of person.
These women are not statistics; they are mothers, daughters, sisters and wives, who suffer daily because the system continues to fail them. Their pain echoes through the hollow promises of justice and protection that are never realized. Each day that passes, these women are told, directly or indirectly that their suffering does not matter, while their rights are being disregarded with reckless impunity. This grim reality underscores the urgency of the call to end violence against women and girls.
FIDA Nigeria’s mandate is grounded in a deep commitment to combat these injustices. Our mission is predicated on the restoration of the rights and dignity of Nigerian women and children by offering legal support to those violated, amplifying the voices of survivors while advocating for systemic change. However, the road is long and the battle is far from being won.
We witness daily, the pain of women who are forced to flee their homes in search of safety in order to escape abuse, women whose voices are ignored and their attackers often left to roam free with impunity, emboldened by a system that has failed to deliver justice. Women who are coerced into silence by the fear of retaliation, societal stigma and the absence of supportive networks.
The violence that Nigerian women face daily does not only harm them—it destroys families, stifles the nation’s potential, and perpetuates a cycle of poverty and trauma that reverberates for generations. However, FIDA Nigeria refuses to be silent on these issues. We refuse to accept a reality where Nigerian women continue to live in fear and we refuse to be passive in the face of injustice. The time for change is now!
FIDA Nigeria insists on action and accountability from all stakeholders particularly the Government, Civil Society Organisations, Public and Private sectors and urgently calls for:
- Legal system transformation Expeditious enforcement of the provisions of the various legislations that prohibit violence* such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act; Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) amongst others, to ensure swift justice for survivors and accountability for perpetrators so as to end this impunity.
- Cultural transformation, where violence is no longer normalised, excused or accepted and women’s rights are upheld by all members of the society.
- Government and community action, to create safe spaces, offer support to survivors and prevent further violence.
- More resources for women empowerment, including financial independence, increased access to justice, education and healthcare, so as to break free from abusive situations.
As we reflect on the 2024 theme “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” let us remember that Nigerian women deserve more than mere sympathy, they deserve action, justice and the right to live without fear.
FIDA Nigeria stands unwavering in its resolve to end violence against women and girls. We will continue to fight for their rights, their safety and their future. We shall not relent until every woman and girl in Nigeria is free from every form of discrimination, violence and abuse in the society.
There is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls! Let us therefore unite to end the vicious cycle of violence by accelerating action and demanding accountability. Together we can!
FOR: FIDA NIGERIA
Signed
Amina Suzanah Agbaje, (Mrs.)
Country Vice/National President
16Daysofactivism #noexcuseforviolence
callforaccountabilityandaction #endviolencenow!
UniteCampaign
by FIDAFIDA at 60 Anniversary Celebrations- Aerobics & Keeping Fit as Health is Wealth!
As part of the activities commemorating FIDA Nigeria’s 60th Anniversary, an invigorating aerobics and wellness session was held on Saturday, 23rd November 2024. Delegates at the conference came together to embrace fitness, stamina, and strength in a fun and energizing environment.
The session provided an opportunity to recharge, foster camaraderie, and prioritize physical wellness, all essential components for sustaining the energy required to continue advocating for justice and equity. FIDA members from across the nation participated with enthusiasm, showcasing the vitality and commitment that define the organization’s spirit.
Good health is essential for effective advocacy, and this activity reaffirmed FIDA Nigeria’s belief in the importance of holistic well-being for its members.
Let’s keep the momentum going! What’s your favorite fitness routine? Share with us as we continue breaking barriers and building bridges for a healthier and more equitable society.
#FIDAAt60 #KeepingFit #BreakingBarriersBuildingBridges #Celebrating60YearsOfProgress
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Celebrates 60 Years with “60 for 60” Women Empowerment Outreach
As part of the anniversary celebrations marking 60 years of progress, FIDA Nigeria empowered 60 indigent women spread across the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers, Plateau and Ogun States.
The women who were beneficiaries of this empowerment program received tools and resources to transform their lives and build a sustainable future. Through this initiative, FIDA Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers and building bridges for the most vulnerable in our society.
The program was also a recognition of the strength, tenacity and resilience of Nigerian women and a platform to uplift and empower their lives.
Swipe through to see the joy on the faces of these incredible women!
Tell us: What does empowerment mean to you? Let’s continue this important conversation.
FIDAAt60 #Empowerment #BreakingBarriersBuildingBridges
Celebrating60yearsofprogress
