Rivers – Bonny

Date of branch inauguration: Thursday, 20 August 2026

2026 – 2028

Chairperson – Iniobong Irene Pepple,

Vice-Chairperson – Anthonia Allaputa- Onyekere

Secretary – Priscilla Ibifuro Sunju-Adonis

Asst. Secretary – Osaretin Sarah Akporie

Financial Sec. – Cynthia Ngozi Ezra-Jumbo

Treasurer – Gift Collins Sovins

FIDA Nigeria Inaugurates Bonny Branch, Expands Access to Justice in Rivers State

Date: Friday, 21 August 2026
Venue: Queen Kambasa Hall, Bonny Island, Rivers State

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria formally inaugurated its Bonny Branch on Friday, 21 August 2026, at Queen Kambasa Hall, Bonny Island, Rivers State.

The establishment of the branch expands FIDA Nigeria’s presence in the riverine communities of Rivers State and strengthens its capacity to promote, protect and preserve the rights of women, children and other vulnerable persons. The Bonny Branch will provide access to free legal assistance and support across Bonny, Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas.

The inauguration attracted a broad representation of the justice sector and the communities the branch will serve. Those in attendance included Justices of the High Court of Rivers State, past and present FIDA International officers, the Chairmen of Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas, members of the Bonny Lawyers Forum, traditional rulers, representatives of security agencies, women leaders, civil society organisations and members of the public.

Proceedings

The programme commenced with an opening prayer, followed by the rendition of the National Anthem, FIDA Anthem and Women’s Anthem.

The Chairperson of FIDA Nigeria, Rivers State Branch, Mrs. Tamunoibuemi Life-George, Esq., delivered the welcome address, while the National Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Nnenna Igbokwe, presented an overview of FIDA Nigeria, its mandate and its activities.

The presentation provided participants with an understanding of FIDA Nigeria’s work in advancing access to justice, protecting the rights of women and children, and addressing legal and human rights concerns affecting vulnerable persons.

Inauguration of the Bonny Branch

The principal event of the ceremony was the formal inauguration of FIDA Nigeria, Bonny Branch and the swearing-in of its Executive by the Country Vice President of FIDA Nigeria, Mrs. Eliana Martins.

Following the inauguration, Mrs. Martins, accompanied by distinguished judges, senior members of the legal profession and FIDAns, officially opened and unveiled the interim office of FIDA Bonny.

The establishment of the branch provides an institutional platform for FIDA Nigeria to deepen its engagement with communities in Bonny, Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro and to strengthen access to legal assistance and rights-based services within the three Local Government Areas.

Stakeholders Commit to Supporting the Branch

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, DSSRS, expressed his commitment to working with FIDA Nigeria to improve access to justice for women, children and other vulnerable persons in the community.

He further pledged to provide a permanent office for the newly inaugurated FIDA Bonny Branch at the Bonny Local Government Area Marriage Registry, which he stated was approximately 80 per cent completed.

The Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Hon. James A. James, Esq., was represented at the ceremony by his wife, Mrs. L. James A. James, Esq. She expressed the Local Government’s commitment to supporting FIDA Nigeria’s work and pledged to facilitate the establishment of a liaison office for FIDA in Opobo.

Appreciation and Support

The successful inauguration was supported by donors, partners, stakeholders and well-wishers who contributed financially, materially and through other forms of assistance.

FIDA Nigeria, Rivers State Branch, extends its appreciation to the Executive Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Hon. James A. James, Esq.; the Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, DSSRS; and the Executive Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Lucky Promise Otuo, for their support and commitment to strengthening access to justice within their respective communities.

The Rivers State Branch also acknowledges the guidance and support of the Ways and Means Committee, as well as the contributions of traditional rulers, women leaders, the media and other individuals and organisations whose financial, material and moral support contributed to the success of the event.

A New Platform for Legal and Human Rights Services

The inauguration establishes a new platform through which FIDA Bonny can engage communities and stakeholders across Bonny, Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas.

The newly inaugurated Executive is expected to work with relevant institutions and community stakeholders to address violence, discrimination and other forms of injustice affecting women and children, while strengthening access to legal assistance and promoting the protection of fundamental rights.

The establishment of the Bonny Branch represents a further expansion of FIDA Nigeria’s grassroots presence in Rivers State and creates an avenue for sustained legal advocacy and community-based human rights interventions across the riverine communities it will serve.

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Priscilla I. Sunju-Adonis
Secretary, FIDA Nigeria, Bonny Branch