Akwa Ibom

Date of branch inauguration: 1987

1987 – 1990 :

Chairperson – Lady Ime Udom

Secretary – Lady Ime Isang

1990 – 1999: 

Chairperson – Hon. Justice Eno Otu

1999- 2007: 

Chairperson – Lady Ime Isang

Secretary – Emma Udonsek

Treasurer – Mrs. Gloria Inyang

2007- 2012:

Chairperson – Lady Gloria Umoren

2012 – 2015: 

Chairperson – Emma Udonsek

Secretary – Emem Gabriel Ette

2015- 2018:

Chairperson – Mfon Edemekong

Vice-Chairperson – Emem Gabriel Ette

Secretary – Iquo Abia

2018- 2021:

Chairperson – Emem  Gabriel Ette

Vice-Chairperson – Iquo Abia

Secretary – Arit I. Udokang

Ast. Secretary – Laura Akpan

Financial Secretary – Averishima Uwah

Treasurer – Chinoyerem Ini Ememobong

Public Relations Secretary – Blessing Ibanga

Asst. Public Relations Secretary – Abasino Udeme

2022 – 2024

Vice Chairperson – Love Archibong-Bassey

Secretary – Mfonobong Udo-Inyang

Treasure – Blessing Uko Basil Akpadiaha

P.R.O – Imo Udoh

Financial Sec – Ruth Kingsley Mfon

Welfare Secretary – Ruth Kingsley Mfon

FIDA Akwa Ibom and Partners Support Female Inmates for Justice and Rehabilitation

In a heartfelt display of compassion and advocacy, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Akwa Ibom, Uyo Branch, spearheaded by Chairperson Iquo Abia Esq, joined hands with the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) and the Youth Alive Foundation to extend support to female inmates of the Medium Custodial Centre in Uyo.

On Thursday, April 4th, 2024, the team was warmly welcomed by Julius Ezugwu, the Comptroller of Nigeria Correctional Service, Akwa Ibom State Command, represented by Assistant Comptroller of Corrections, Festus Akpan. During the visit, essential items such as toiletries and baby supplies were generously donated to the inmates.

FIDA expressed deep concern over the overcrowding of the facility, originally designed for 600 inmates but currently housing 1,715 individuals. To address this pressing issue, FIDA outlined strategies aimed at alleviating congestion, including advocating for the establishment of a Mother-Child unit to safeguard infants from adverse circumstances and promote bonding between mothers and their children.

The event showcased a range of supportive services, including free legal assistance, medical consultations, and a motivational session led by a rehabilitated ex-convict who successfully reintegrated into society.

This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of these organizations to uphold justice, advocate for the vulnerable, and foster positive change within the criminal justice system.

VISITATION TO GORETTI GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL AS PART OF ACTIVITIES COMMEMORATING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD,

As part of activities commemorating the International day of the girl child, FIDA Uyo visited Goretti Girls Secondary School in Ikot Ekpene L.G.A of Akwa Ibom State on 11th October, 2023. The visit was led by the FIDA Uyo chairperson, Mrs. Iquo Abia, accompanied by other FIDANs and a volunteer.

It was an engaging session with the students as they were informed and educated on their rights as a girl child. Other areas of concern for the girls were factors that could hinder success and consciousness of personal hygiene.

Child Protection and Safeguarding Training

FIDA Uyo Branch in her efforts to ensure that parents, teachers, and other handlers of children are empowered to protect children and report violations, organized training on Child Protection and Safeguarding. The training was held on 25th May 2023 at Justice Eno Otu Bar Centre, Uyo.

Forty-five participants drawn from heads of public and private schools, parents, handlers of children in church, and NGOs benefited from the training.

Highlights of topics discussed were: Child Rights, Principles of Safeguarding; Types of abuse; detecting non-physical abuse, and taking action where there is abuse or likelihood of abuse.

On behalf of the participants, the principal of Ndikpo Grammar School. Mrs. Julie Effiong thanked FIDA for the training and urged FIDA to train more handlers of children.

FIDA Uyo partners with USAID trains CSOs to leverage digital platforms to drive their advocacy

On the 15th of March FIDA Nigeria Uyo Branch, in collaboration with the USAID-funded State Transparency, Accountability and Effectiveness activity trained women-led groups, media groups, and civil society organizations on combatting Gender-Based Violence in digital spaces.

A total of 26 participants were in attendance. The modules focused on identifying the forms of GBV proliferated in digital spaces and the role of community trainers in helping local communities address these issues. The training also highlighted the gender digital divide citing GBV as a key factor.

The training built the capacity of civil society organisations to leverage digital platforms to drive their advocacy in the face of shrinking civic spaces.
Participants’ capacity to address the challenges that trail digital advocacy efforts at addressing Gender Based Violence was further built.

Participants came up with action plans to build the capacity of their local communities through step down trainings. The step-down training is expected to build the capacity of over 100 local community leaders on these forms of violence.

International Women’s Day  2023

FIDA Akwa Ibom – Uyo Branch on 15th March 2023, being the last day of 10 Days Digital Advocacy on GBV proliferated on digital spaces, trained community trainers on Combatting GBV on Digital Spaces.

Our decision to train civil society organizations as community trainers who will return to train at least 20 others was informed by the need to cascade training to ensure that we reach rural communities. Many thanks to USAID State2State Activities for providing technical support for the training.

World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022: FIDA Uyo Donates Sanitary Pads to Promote Menstrual Health

As part of the activities to mark this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day, FIDA Nigeria, Uyo Branch and Medical Women’s Association Nigeria (MWAN) Akwa Ibom State Chapter visited Uyo High School, Oron road, Uyo on 24th May 2022.

The event which targeted girls between 13 and 17 years of age had students in SS1, SS2 and SS3 in attendance.

The MWAN members led by Dr. Edesiri Ighorodje
taught the female students the importance of menstruation and the need for menstrual hygiene.

In addition, the Chairperson of FIDA Uyo, Bar. Iquo Abia enlightened the girls about criminal sexual offenses and how they can seek help when they are faced with any danger.

The event was rounded off with the distribution of free sanitary pads to the female students.

FIDA Uyo Marks International Day of the Boy Child 2022

On Monday 16th May 2022, FIDA Uyo commemorated the International Day of the Boy Child at the St. Brian Model School, Dominic Utuk Avenue, Uyo, which is a Boys’ School. The event targeted boys in SS1 – SS3 because they are in their adolescent years and would be in higher institutions soon, hence the need to equip them with the right information early to assist them to make correct choices.

Addressing this year’s theme: Boosting Optimism, Restoring Self-Worth various speakers made impactful presentations on different topics derived from the theme. The first speaker who is an Engineer and a businessman – Engr. Mfonabasi Asuquo, spoke on Career Development. The second male speaker Barr. Anietie Bassey equally imparted the boys on vices that jeopardize the future, sex education and how to manage sexual urges.

The anchor person Mrs. Sifon Akpaetor equally gave inputs while anchoring the event. Also at the event was the first female NBA Uyo chairperson, Barr. Eno-obong Akpan who gave a brief presentation on bullying and teasing which could lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. Finally, the Chairperson of FIDA Uyo, Bar. (Mrs) Iquo Abia, counselled on the importance of good behaviour citing laws against criminality and the need for them to be responsible in order not to be caught by the law.

Responding, the Head Boy of the school articulately gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the students. In addition, the school counselor Dr. Elizabeth Umoh thanked FIDA for choosing St. Brian school to mark this year’s International Day of the Boy Child and appealed that the event should be sustained to keep encouraging the boys.

The principal of the school Mr. Brian Edem commended FIDA Uyo for the initiative to visit the school to mark the International Day of the Boy Child.

The event came to an end with FIDA Uyo Branch presenting gift items to the students and some of the teachers who were in attendance.

International Women’s Day 202

FIDA Uyo branch ably represented by the Chairperson and Secretary were live on ABN  TV Station on the 3rd of March 2022, on the programme called ‘Talking Point’.

The Chairperson fielded questions on why the representation of women in political positions in Nigeria needs to be increased, she also advocated for the implementation of the 35% affirmative action in favour of women in both appointive and elective offices, noting that the ideal situation ought to be 50%. FIDA Uyo Secretary, Mfonobong Udo-Inyang, Esq. emphasized the need for women to be given equal opportunities to vie for political offices just as men. It was certainly a fruitful deliberation.

As part of the activities to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), FIDA Uyo Branch on Saturday 5th March 2022 went on an awareness campaign on this year’s  IWD Themed: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.

World Menstrual Hygiene Day

FIDA Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Branch celebrated the World Menstrual Hygiene Day with students of Adiahaobong Secondary School, Uyo and Girl’s High School Ikot Obiok, Eket. This year’s theme is: “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health.”

Last year FIDA Akwa Ibom went to a secondary school at Itu and most of the girls hadn’t used a pad in their life! Do you know what they use? Pieces of cloth which they wash after use and re-use. Ha! If you know what that means! Infections,  which they may think it’s nothing until it damages one or two organs in their bodies.

Pads should be given free, every month in every secondary school. Our girls need it. I see people giving condoms for free but not pads. Hmmm. Sex is a choice o; menstruation is not.

Let’s do more for our children. Talk to FIDA if you want to help them through us.

Take action! Invest in their future.

16Days of Activism 2020

FIDA Akwa Ibom flagged off the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence on the 26of November 2020, at the prestigious Ibom Hall, Uyo and His Majesty’s Hall Eket, over 1000 copies of the VAPP Law were distributed free of charge.

ON 11 TH JUNE, 2020: FIDA Akwa Ibom, went on a peaceful protest against Rape. In attendance was the Hon. Attorney General and the commissioner for women affairs.

On the  10th June 2019, FIDA Akwa Ibom paid a courtesy and advocacy visit to the Senior Pastor of World of Faith Covenant Assembly, Dr. Prophet John Linus. The visit was to solicit for the corporation of the church leadership in disseminating FIDA’s message against all forms of abuse against women and children to the church members and partnership with FIDA to realize her goals. The Senior Pastor pledged the church support and donated the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) to help FIDA in her sensitizations and campaigns.

ON 8TH MARCH 2019:  FIDA Akwa Ibom State,  joined the world to commemorate the International Women’s Day on the theme: “BALANCE FOR BETTER: THINK EQUAL, BUILD SMART, INOVATE FOR CHANGE”

Paid a courtesy visit to the Maximum Prisons Uyo in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Women Association and Passion 94.5 FM Uyo, donated hygiene items including toilet rolls, toothpaste, sanitary pads etc. we also donated wrappers, towels and undergarments.

On the  10th of April 2019 FIDA the Branch paid a courtesy  and advocacy visit on the Hon. Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning. The Branch briefed the Hon. Commissioner on the need of the organization to acquire land and build a secretariat to carry out its functions and a shelter for women who suffer abuse.

The Commissioner was delighted to be a part of the Branch’s fight against gender based violence and forthwith allocated a land measuring 2000 square meters to FIDA along new Ring Road, Uyo.

ON 7^TH OF DECEMBER 2018: FIDA Akwa Ibom State, had a sensitization talk on campaign against Child Abuse at Federal Government Technical College Ukana Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.