by FIDAFIDA Lagos Hosts a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law
A 4-day stakeholders’ meeting geared towards forming a network of the members of the Bar, Bench, Police and Correctional Service for an effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, a FIDA Nigeria project sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation, was successfully concluded on the Friday, the 16 October 2020. The meeting, was in four phases, ended with the joint meeting of all the stakeholders, the Bar, the Bench, the Police and the Correctional Service.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria held a project inception meeting in Gyel community, Jos South LGA of Plateau State.
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 FIDAFIDA Nigeria’s Call for an End to Dehumanizing Treatment and Police Brutality
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria joins in speaking out against the repeated wave of Police brutality, abuse and infringement of Human rights, which has led to the #EndSARS & #EndSWAT Protests going on around the country.
Shockingly, the Police in response have continued to attack protesters, arrest and detain them for protesting, while shooting live rounds at protesters often resulting in grievous bodily harm and even death in some cases
We must all rise up to speak out against and to Stop All forms of Police brutality against the vulnerable members of our society particularly women and the youth. Enough is Enough!
Citizens deserve respect from law enforcement officers who are commissioned to principally defend, protect and support the defenseless in society, not oppress, torture, dehumanize and kill them. We find that police inefficiency, unprofessionalism and brutality has become the new order of the day and this must stop.
FIDA commends the strong determined and courageous youth for their principles and stand against police brutality and for their perseverance and commitment to the cause
Despite the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector of General of Police on Sunday, 5th October 2020, following massive protests and the setup of SWAT in it’s place the protests have continued because the fundamental issues have not been properly addressed concerning the police force. They must be addressed!
FIDA Nigeria standing on her mandate insists that the rights and privileges of citizens cannot be infringed upon by the police
The Nigerian Government must therefore take most seriously, her responsibility to protect the lives and property of her citizens as enshrined under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
FIDA Nigeria accordingly calls for:
- Better training and re-training of the police, ensuring better personal development and professionalism
- Re- evaluation and phycological analysis of members of the force including medical treatment for those needing same, even if it is in anger management and so forth
- Comprehensive overhaul and reform of the police force and all her supporting structures
- Better interaction and collaboration with relevant key stakeholders including community leaders/ influencers, ministries and parastatals to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the police force
- Continuous sensitization and enlightenment for all police officers on matters and skills particularly relevant to their specialized tasks and assignments
- Adequate and necessary equipment and facilities to support efficient work delivery and performance
- Better welfare packages, including housing, regular appraisals, promotions including retirement benefits
- Targeted training for specialized units of the police especially prosecutors, those on gender desks etc.
- Better and Continuous Monitoring and evaluation of all members of the police and their units
- Better Public Relations and Packaging for the force and her officers; upgrading all for better career development.
FIDA Nigeria shouts out…Stop killing the youth and vulnerable people of Nigeria… Their lives matter!!
We commiserate with the families of those who have lost their loved ones and we demand a thorough independent investigation into all the pending cases on police abuse, brutality, and murder. All Officers found guilty must be brought to book, in the spirit of Justice for All.
#EndSARS
#EndSWAT
#EndPoliceBrutality
#EnoughIsEnough
Signed
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Celebrates International Day of The Girl Child 2020
Theme: My Voice, Our Equal Future
We focus this year on paying attention to, listening and being inspired by what the girl child is challenged by, what her needs and desires are and how to best meet those needs in our different communities and the nation as a whole.
Adolescence is a decisive age for girls around the world. What transpires during a girl’s teenage years shapes the direction of her life and that of her family.
The Nigerian Girl Child Cry’s out:
‘I exist…Equally, Look at me;
I am in need of necessaries…Provide for me;
I am disrespected, shamed, abused…Protect me;
I have a vision…a dream…. It’s impressionable, Help me realise it;
I have a voice… I can use it. Listen to me!’
FIDA Nigeria lends her voice to the vulnerable women and children in Nigeria, utilizing the law to obtain equity and justice for all.
In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, 2020
FIDA Nigeria Says:
The Girl Child is not born to be invisible; allow her to carve a niche for herself
Educate the Girl Child and break the circle of poverty.
Our Daughters are special. Pay attention and listen to them, properly equip, support and enable them to be the best that they can be.
Create the right platforms for them to operate.
Save and respect the girl-child as she is the future of your family and society
Daughters are precious gifts. Receive them with Joy.
Girls are resilient and have an enormous untapped potential to contribute to healthy and peaceful communities. Let us passionately work at creating an atmosphere of love, peace, protection and equality for them to survive and thrive in and then let’s sit back and watch them take on the future, shining as Stars.
FIDA Nigeria Celebrates the Girl Child, born to Excel and Shine!
#DayOfTheGirlChild
#GenerationEquality
Signed for FIDA Nigeria
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
FIDA Nigeria
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Calls for The Immediate Release of Her Member Ms. Paulette Bisola Ajayi By Her Abductors
FIDA Nigeria received the shocking and terrible news yesterday of the abduction of her Rivers State Branch Member, Ms Paulette Bisola Ajayi, by four fully armed men in front of her home in Port Harcourt.
We join in calling for the prompt safe release of Ms. Paulette Ajayi by her abductors and appeal to the Security operatives to put all machinery to rescue this young and promising lawyer.
We further appeal to the Governor His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, to put all resources at his disposal in place to assist in the immediate rescue of our colleague.
Our hearts go out to her family especially her mother Mrs. Ngozi Kathryn Ajayi, a past Vice-Chairperson and active member of the same FIDA Rivers State Branch. We also pray for her quick recovery as she was seriously brutalized while trying to save her daughter from the hands of the abductors.
FIDA Nigeria commends the prompt action of the NBA National President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, in this matter; we repose our confidence in the six-member task force he has set up and offer our full support.
We similarly call for assistance from well-meaning Nigerians with key information about the whereabouts of Paulette Ajayi to come forward with the requisite information.
The issue of security of lives and property in the country is of paramount importance and the government must step up in dealing with this menace daily plaguing our communities. All around Nigeria the story is the same. Prompt cohesive action is required by the Government to save Nigerians.
Signed For: FIDA Nigeria
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria
Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary
FIDA Nigeria
by FIDAFIDA Ekiti Hosts a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law
On the 23rd September, 2020, FIDA Nigeria Ekiti State branch with support from MacArthur Foundation, organized a stakeholders training to establish a network of the Bar, Bench, Police force and Correctional Service in Ekiti state. The training is for the effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice law (ACJL) of Ekiti State 2014. The initial meeting was for the police force and the officers of the correctional service to discuss their responsibilities and challenges as provided under the law. a subsequent meeting will be held with the other stakeholders and finally a joint meeting bringing all the stakeholders together to strategies on ways to effectively work together towards achieving the effective implementation of the ACJL in Ekiti State.
by FIDAFIDA Rivers Hosts a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law
FIDA Nigeria, Rivers state branch with support from MacArthur Foundation organised a 4 day stakeholders meeting with the Bar, Bench, Police Force and Correctional Services to review the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Rivers state and the challenges faced by each stakeholder in implementing the law, as well as create an environment to enable networking to ensure effective implementation.
Justice Fiberesima 
by FIDAFIDA Abuja, Conducts a One Day Training for CSOs and Senior Government officials on Gender Responsive Budgeting
As part of the United Nations Spotlight Initiative (UNSI) project activities, FIDA Abuja organised a one day training for senior government officials and Civil Society organizations in the FCT on Gender Responsive Budgeting, today the 10th of September 2020.
Participants were trained on responsive budgeting and impact of poor funding on women while also analyzing budget programmes from gender perspectives. There were group tasks and presentations and the group adopted an advocacy plan to promote increased budget allocation on gender and to track compliance to gender responsive budgeting
by FIDAFIDA Conducts Capacity Building Session for Community Paralegals in Jahi, Abuja
FIDA Nigeria with the support of ActionAid and funding from Global Affairs Canada held a three day training of community paralegals in Jahi community in the FCT. The training was aimed at building the capacity of community paralegals and creating awareness of SGBV as it affects the community.
Part of the training included an exposition of the VAPP Act in its simplified version to enable
paralegals understand and relate adequately to its provisions towards responding to cases of SGBV in the community.
#NigerianWomenMatter
#CanadaDevNG
by FIDAFIDA BAUCHI TO PARTNER with NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN ASSISTING FEMALE INMATES IN BAUCHI
The International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) has indicated its readiness to partner with the Nigerian Correctional Service towards assisting female inmates in Custodial Centers in Bauchi.
This was disclosed by the newly constituted executives of FIDA Bauchi Branch led by its Chairperson, Barr. Fatima Abubakar during their courtesy visit to the Controller of Corrections Bauchi State Command, CCS Suleiman T. Suleiman in his Office on the 6th of August,2020.
Barr. Fatima Abubakar noted that FIDA was newly inaugurated in Bauchi for the purpose of addressing issues pertaining to women and children in the State, being that NCoS is a critical stakeholder, FIDA is set to partner with the Service with the aim of intervening on issues relating to female inmates, adding that the organization intends to visit all the Custodial Centers in the State so as to study the plight of female inmates with a view to addressing them where necessary,
In his remarks, the Controller of Corrections, Bauchi State Command, Suleiman T. Suleiman, commended FIDA Bauchi Branchi for the visit and assured them of his support for the successful implementation of their programs.
The Controller advised them to look into the rising cases of rape in the State, as well as debts related cases amongst women which mostly brings them to detention facilities and to also have or conduct a forum where Area Court Judges will be enlightened and encouraged to refer parties to settle out of court without having to be taking in for detention.
