by adminInauguration of the FCT GBV Monitoring & Evaluation Committee
The Chairperson Abuja branch, Chibuzo Nwosu, and Program Officer, Chioma Okoye – Chukwuma honored an invitation by the Foundation for Resilient Empowerment & Development (FRED) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs held at the Community Hall, Social Development Secretariat Area 10, Garki, Abuja. On Thursday, 30th of March, 2023.
The meeting was initiated by FRED to inaugurate the FCT GBV M & E State technical working group and subcommittees, present and adopt the finalized Terms of Reference (TOR) and finally upscale the collation and reporting of the rate of incidents of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the FCT using the national GBV reporting tools to enhance GBV data coordination and Management.
Goodwill messages were taken from Representatives of Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Legal secretariat, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), Health Secretariat, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWDI) Foundation For Resilient Empowerment (FRED) and our own very Chairperson, FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja Branch.
Delivering her goodwill message, the Chairperson applauded the Mandate Secretary for taking the initiative to establish the FCT Gender Based Violence Monitoring and Evaluation State Technical Working Group (GBV-STWG) with the aim of collective responsibility in the fight against Elimination of Violence against women and children in the FCT. She pledged her support towards the effective and efficient collaboration of FIDA as a member of the State Technical Working Group in implementing their mandate and activities. Presenting the finalized FCT GBV Terms of Reference for sub-committees, the Monitoring and Evaluation officer of FRED, Ahmeena Danjuma urged stakeholders for a collective participation in STWG activities so as to bridge the gaps in coordinating GBV reporting in the FCT. She concluded by encouraging participants who were yet to identify with a subcommittee to enlist and participate in committee activities as provided for in the Terms of Reference.
In closing, the Mandate Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat applauded stakeholders for attending the inauguration while stating that the inauguration of the STWG is a laudable milestone in the fight to end violence against women and children. She further urged stakeholders to work together to create a society free from all forms of violence against women and children. She warmly thanked participants and formally inaugurated the FCT State Technical Working Group.
by adminFIDA Re-affirms Mandate at the Suleja Custodial Centre
On the 18th of April 2023, the branch led by the Chairperson, Chibuzo M. Nwosu visited female inmates of the Suleja Custodial Centre, Niger State.
The visit was made to secure the release of a female inmate whose fine was paid by the branch as part of her mandate and activities and also to commemorate the golden jubilee (50th birthday) of Mrs. Sarah Dejo.
The outing was graced with the presence of the Country Vice President (FIDA Nigeria), Mrs. Amina Susana Agbaje and notable members of the branch.
The Chairperson of the Branch, Chibuzo M. Nwosu, said that the visit was a success owing to the show of support of members from the three branches which include FIDA Gwagwalada, Niger State and Abuja chapters.
She however advised governments and NGOs to continue to show support by ensuring that the Correctional Service Centres and inmates were in proper conditions.
The Chairperson, FIDA Correctional Service Centre Committee, Dr. Rosemary Chikwendu, while stating the plan to reach out to sponsors to pay all outstanding fines of the inmates, said the visit was made out of love and to celebrate Mrs. Sarah Dejo’s 50th birthday.
According to the Committee Chair, “Reaching the Court, part of the compensation will be paid, but as inmates, you must be of good behaviour so that we can recommend you like the person that was recommended today”.
She advised the inmates to ensure they learn the various skills being taught in the Correctional Centre as it could be useful to them in life and be of good behavior.
The Chairperson of FIDA Gwagwalada, Prof. Josephine Agbonika SAN, reiterated that good behaviour counts as it helps in the release of the inmates from the Centre.
She however advised the inmates to abide by the rules of the Centre, saying it is not the end of the world.
Responding on behalf of other female inmates, Nene Odinze, appreciated the women lawyers for their donations and appealed for their support by providing educational materials like textbooks and notebooks as some of the inmates will enroll for WAEC and JAMB.
At the end of the visit, items such as Provisions, Sanitary Towels, Bags of Rice, Toilet Rolls, Detergents, Izals and Toothpaste, were donated by the branch.
by adminCapacity Enhancement Training For Legal Officers Of The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abuja
On the 27th of September FIDA Abuja graced the opening ceremony of the Training Program for Legal Officers of the National Youth Service Corps with the theme “THE ROLE OF LEGAL OFFICERS IN DELIVERING QUALITY LEGAL SERVICE IN NIGERIA”.
The training organized by the National Youth Service Corps was put together to ensure legal officers of the NYSC have appropriate education and training on the ideals and ethical duties of lawyers with focus on the provisions of the National Youth Service Corps Act 2004 and its accompanying Bye-Laws of 1993.
The branch was duly represented by the Chairperson, Chibuzo M. Nwosu and the Publicity Secretary, Olosen Victoria Ibiezugbe. Also present at the opening ceremony were the Representative of the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs C.I Ubah; the Director Legal NYSC, Barr. Ahmed Tijani Ibrahim, Representative of the Justice of the Court of Appeal, Mrs Josphine Ekperobe among many others.
As the guest speaker, the Chairperson in a goodwill message urged legal officers to arm themselves with the profession’s right knowledge, skill and ethics. She further noted the timely invitation as FIDA anticipates a synergy with the National Youth Service Corps by training and integrating corps members as paralegals of the Association and in the administration of justice.
by adminFIDA Abuja Outreach To Jahi 1 Community
FIDA Abuja branch led by the Chairperson, Miss Chibuzo M. Nwosu, on the 8th of September 2022, carried out an outreach to the community of Jahi.
Present at the Jahi Chief’s Palace were HRH Alhaji Adamu Dogo, members of his cabinet and paralegals.
While the Chairperson enlightened the teaming community members on relevant provisions of the VAPP Act 2015, relevant questions centered around these provisions were asked and answered assiduously.
At the end of the session, the Palace Chief (Alhaji Adamu Dogo) once again appreciated FIDA for its continuous works and prayed the girls of the Community grow to become lawyers and women of virtue.
In her closing remarks, the Chairperson commended particularly members of the Jahi Community for their willingness to uphold the tenets of the law and ultimately the fight against gender-based violence. The branch donated some bags of grains to the community.
by adminFIDA Nigeria Bi-Annual Coordination Meeting
On the 16th of August 2022, Palladium in collaboration with FIDA Nigeria as one of its resource partners held its 2nd Bi-Annual Coordination meeting with some key stakeholders in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) in Nigeria as part of activities under the SCALE project.
The meeting was to track progress, experience sharing by some key stakeholders, and further advance collaboration between frontline practitioners, SCALE resource partners, and relevant government entities across the SGBV and CEFM sectors in Nigeria.
by adminCoordination Meeting For Community Paralegals and Service Providers
FIDA Nigeria as part of activities under the Action Aid WVL Project (Year 4) held a coordination meeting for community paralegals and service providers on 10th August 2022.
The meeting was aimed at establishing an efficient and effective referral pathway structure for responding to GBV in selected communities across three Area councils of the FCT.
At the end of the meeting, community paralegals and service providers had a clearer understanding of their roles, the available referral mechanisms as well as the various service providers cataloged under the referral pathway system for improved and effective responses to GBV cases.
by adminCommunity Outreach to Mabushi Comunity
FIDA Abuja on Saturday the 16th of July 2022, went on an outreach to the community of MABUSHI, at the Chief’s Palace in the person of Alhaji Aminu Akuyi (Esu of MABUSHI Village) FCT, Abuja.
Led by the Chairperson, Miss Chibuzo M Nwosu, conveyed the legal implications of the provisions of the VAPP Act 2015 to the curious men and women of the community. Key provisions such as Rape, FGM, Forceful Ejection from Home, Forceful Economic Dependence, Spousal Battery, Harmful Widowhood Practices, Indecent Exposure, Incest and Political Violence of State Actors were in focus.
The outreach had in attendance, the Palace Chief cabinet amongst whom were the Sarkin Yaki Mr. James Kusase, the Jikwo of Palace Usman Gambo; the Village Head Nuhu Zakwuyi; the Asst Women Leader Terna Joshua; Secretary to the Woman Leader Justina Lazarus; the Kuyabana of Palace Danladi Dayako and the Women Governor Adamu Baba Busa.
Questions centered around these provisions were asked by the attendees. At the end of the lecture, the Palace Chief applauded FIDA for its achievements and a well-informed lecture. He further requested that more of such lectures be organized having been the first of its kind in the Community.
In her closing remark, the Chairperson thanked the Palace Chief and members of his cabinet for the warm reception while assuring of FIDA’s presence and its commitment to serve humanity. Bags of grains were donated to the community by the branch.
by adminFIDA Abuja Celebrates Children’s Day 2022
FIDA Nigeria, Abuja branch on the 26th of May 2022 in a delegation led by the Chairperson Miss Chibuzo M. Nwosu, went on an Advocacy visit to Life Gate Academy Wuye, Abuja in commemoration of the Children’s Day celebration 2022
The Chairperson enlightened the children on key provisions of the VAPP ACT as it affects their rights and well-being such as Rape, Female Genital Mutilation, and Injury to Persons with particular emphasis on the adverse effects of bullying.
To cap the visit, the children asked certain pertinent questions as the Chairperson and other members present answered them accordingly. Copies of the VAPP Act were gifted to the school for the use of the children.
by adminFIDA Nigeria Conducted a 3-Day Continuous Voters Registration Sensitization Across 3 Area Councils of the FCT
As part of activities under the We-YOU Pro project, FIDA Nigeria on 26th May 2022, concluded a three-day sensitization campaign conducted in six communities across 3 Area Councils of the FCT namely, Kuje (Bamishi, Kuchiyako), Bwari (Dutse Alhaji and Gaba Tudu) and AMAC (Jahi 1, Jahi 2).
Participants were sensitized on the continues voter’s registration exercise and key provisions under the Electoral Act. A total number of 220 participants were sensitized across all the communities.
The FIDA team was led by the Assistant Programme Manager Ezinwa Obiajunwa alongside other staff on the project. Participants demonstrated their understanding by asking very relevant questions.
by adminFIDA Abuja Advocacy Outreach
On the 2nd of May 2022, FIDA Abuja branch ably led by the Chairperson Ms. Chibuzo M. Nwosu, successfully carried out an advocacy outreach at the Chief of Karu’s Palace Dr. Emmanuel Kyauta Yepwi JP the Saka Ruyi of Karu FCT, Abuja, to sensitize members of the Community of Karu on the provisions of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP).
It was an eventful outing as the members of the community expressed their gratitude on FIDA’s visit
