by FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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.
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