by adminFIDA Nigeria Annual General Meeting Opening Ceremony
The formal Opening Ceremony for the FIDA Nigeria Law Week, Annual General Meeting/ Pre-Convention Meeting commenced at 4:30 pm on the 18th of November 2020, at Steffan Hotel, Rayfield Jos Plateau State, with the Theme: Building Effective Service Delivery to Enhance Justice for The Vulnerable in Society. The Special Guest of Honour was the First Lady of Plateau State Her Excellency Mrs Regina Lalong who was ably represented by H.E the Wife of the Deputy Governor of Plateau State Mrs. Abigail Tyoden.
The Chairperson of Fida Plateau, Hon. Mary Izam as Hostess warmly welcomed all to Jos, Plateau State while the Country Vice President/National President of FIDA Nigeria, Rhoda Prevail Tyoden gave the Opening Remarks.
In attendance were the Attorney General of the State Hon Chrysanthus Ahmadu and Hon Justice Julie Kyentu (RTD) PCCA amongst other key signatories who graced the occasion
The Opening Ceremony was followed by a Welcome Cocktail.
by adminFIDA Nigeria Visit To JOFIN Orphanage Home
Members of The International Federation of Women Lawyers on the 17th of November, 2020, visited the Jesus Only Friend International Orphanage Home (JOFIN), Rukuba road, Jos Plateau state Nigeria, where they spent time with the children in the home who entertained them with beautiful drama and musical presentations. Donations of necessary materials was made to the home to support.
Issues posed by Human Trafficking were discussed, as well as probable solutions in curbing the effects of trafficking; furthermore, the role of FIDA in the protection of the vulnerable members of the society was also considered.
The 2020 Law Week Cake was cut and shared with the children
by adminFIDA Anambra visits Ukpor and Umueri community
FIDA Nigeria, Anambra State branch with support from Action Aid and funding from Global Affairs Canada, visited two communities, Ukpor and Umueri, on the 13th of November, 2020, to implement the Covid – 19 top-up fund intervention project. The visit was aimed at sensitizing the leaders and members of the communities on the extant laws that deals with Human Rights Violation and Gender Based Violence (GBV) and to publicize fida’s services for legal aid and legal representation.
by adminFIDA Nigeria Inaugurates her 35th branch
FIDA Nigeria, on the 5th of November 2020, inaugurated her 35th branch, FIDA Nigeria Zamfara State Branch. The occasion was attended by government officials, the state judiciary, CSOs, the Country Vice President FIDA Nigeria Rhoda Prevail Tyoden, Deputy Country Vice President Amina Agbaje alongside FIDA members. It was a great success.
by adminFIDA Nigeria, Ekiti State Branch held a Ford Foundation Project Inception Meeting
On the 28th of October 2020, FIDA Nigeria, with support from Ford Foundation held a project inception meeting at Erinmope-Ekiti, the Programme Officer, Catherine Oduluyi, introduced the project, with the theme: “Work with Gatekeepers, Women Leaders, Religious Leaders and Traditional Rulers to Address Social Norms that Negatively Affect the Status of Women and Entrench Violence Against Women and Girls”, to the participants. She noted that, various beliefs which sterns from culture and religions are basically the roots of GBV and gender inequality, hence, there is a need for cultural and attitudinal change. She stressed further that Government has provided Laws but the laws seem not to deter people from perpetrating acts of GBV and practices enhancing inequality. Ford Foundation has provided another solution with a community-based approach, hence the need for the commitment different categories of community stakeholders. She gave an overview of the project plan and activities to be carried out in the project.
At the meeting, participants engaged in a collaborative session which helped to create a deeper understanding of the project. The stakeholders in turn shared their knowledge of the project and gave suggestions.
The major outcome of the meeting was the formation of a surveillance team to report incidents of GBV in the community to FIDA
by adminFIDA Nigeria, Lagos State branch held a Ford Foundation Project Inception Meeting
Theme: “Work with Gatekeepers, Women Leaders, Religious Leaders and Traditional Rulers to Address Social Norms that Negatively Affect the Status of Women and Entrench Violence Against Women and Girls” Held at Obadore Community on the 27th October, 2020
Miss Adaeze Joy Nkokelonye, the Program Officer in her overview of the purpose of the project said that the 2year project is funded by Ford Foundation and being implemented by FIDA Nigeria through her Lagos State branch, the purpose of the project is to put an end to harmful cultural practices in the community that affect women and girls. She pointed out that the men are also not left out as they have an important role to play as well being Fathers, brothers, sons and husbands. She reminded the stakeholders that their full cooperation and support towards the success of the project will be appreciated.
Representatives of the various groups spoke about the project and they all expressed a good understanding of the project and most importantly made their commitment to contribute towards the success of the project. In the discussion, one of the representatives from the religious group (Islam) expressed confidence in the confidentiality of any information communicated to the FIDA team via phone or in person at any point in time. This he said is necessary for the people to be aware or to ease any tension or fear that might prevent them from speaking out. Also, the Treasurer of FIDA buttressing on the contribution made said that as Lawyers, the law binds them to keep secret the identity of an Informant in any legal matter.
As contribution, the Personal Assistant to the Oba, said that women should be made to have total confidence in FIDA and they should be assured protection to encourage them speak out when their rights are violated. He also requested that secondary school students on the community should be included in the project as one of the groups, especially the female students.
The Chairman Alimosho Local Council Development Area appreciated FIDA and Ford Foundation for the effort and for bringing the project to the community. He emphasized on the need for victims and even eye witnesses to always say something whenever there is something to report for the safety of women and girls.
A surveillance team was established to serve as the eyes and ears on arising gender based issues around the community and escalate it to FIDA.
by adminFIDA NIGERIA CONDEMNS THE BRAZEN KILLINGS OF INNOCENT UNARMED PROTESTERS BY THE NIGERIAN MILITARY AT LEKKI, LAGOS
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria expresses her strong dismay at the current situation in the country and condemn in its totality the brazen killings of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Tollgate by uniformed military personnel.
It was a horrific Tuesday evening (20/10/2020) watching recordings of the killing by uniformed Nigerian soldiers of innocent protesters on the news.
The protesting youths were peacefully demanding an end to brutality and dehumanizing treatment by the police, expanding their demands to cover better structure and good governance in Nigeria.
A better Nigeria is what the youths are clamoring for, this is not too much to ask from a government who have sworn an oath to uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
FIDA Nigeria says the incessant killings of innocent lives must STOP Now!!! This murder of harmless citizens is undemocratic, barbaric, and unacceptable. Government has a duty and must make Nigeria safe for all her citizens.
Tension has escalated everywhere in several states such as in Taraba, Ekiti, Edo, Abuja, Plateau, Ogun, and Imo where citizens no longer feel safe and curfews have been imposed in some states.
FIDA Nigeria continues to promote the rule of law. The vulnerable in society particularly the youth have continuously suffered from social injustice and Police brutality in Nigeria. We must stop this, let us use the instrumentality of the law to bring all concerned to book.
We lend our support to the demands of the Nigerian Bar Association and emphatically demand that the soldiers responsible be identified and brought to book as we call on Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately direct an end to these wanton killings of innocent youths across our nation.
FIDA Nigeria commiserates with the families of the dead and salutes our courageous young martyrs.
The law must now be allowed to take its cause!
May God save Nigeria #MakeNigeriaSafe
Signed:
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
FIDA Nigeria
by adminFIDA Nigeria, Plateau State held a Ford Foundation Project Inception Meeting in Gyel community, Jos South LGA.
The meeting which was held on Monday, the 19th of October, 2020 had all representatives of the community’s gatekeepers present among which was the Wife to the Local Government Man Jos South, Mrs. Patience Dachung who represented the Local Government Chairman.
The meeting commenced at about 1pm with a welcome/opening remark from the Branch’s Chairperson who in her remark urged the Stakeholders to cease the project’s intervention and make all necessary change and improvement around social norms that affects women, girls and the community as a whole.
A collaborative discussion session was held where Stakeholders were allowed to deliberate on their understanding of the project and what promotes Gender Based Violence in the community.
These issues alongside those that came up during the advocacy visits were adopted by the Stakeholders as areas where they are willing to tackle through the project’s intervention and the technical support of FIDA.
A surveillance team was established to serve as the eyes and ears on arising gender based issues around the community and escalate it to FIDA.
Stakeholders showed commitment to support the project. The wife to LG Chairman also assured FIDA of the backings of the Local Government Council in achieving the objectives of the project.
by adminFIDA Plateau Hosts a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law
FIDA Nigeria, Plateau State branch with support from MacArthur Foundation organized a joint stakeholders meeting on the 16th of Oct 2020 with the Bar, Bench, Police Force and Correctional Services to review the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Plateau State and they highlighted the challenges faced by each stakeholder in implementing the ACJL, as well as creating an environment to enable networking to ensure effective implementation
by adminFIDA Oyo Hosts a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law
FIDA Nigeria, Oyo state branch with support from MacArthur Foundation organized a joint stakeholders meeting on the 15th of Oct 2020 with the Bar, Bench, Police Force and Correctional Services to review the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Oyo state and they highlighted the challenges faced by each stakeholder in implementing the ACJL, as well as creating an environment to enable networking to ensure effective implementation.
