by adminVisit to Female Custodial Facility Kirikiri Prison In Lagos
FIDA Nigeria, Lagos Branch Prison Watch Committee ably led by the Head of the Committee, Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwodili on Wednesday the 10th of August 2022, visited the Female Custodial Facility Kirikiri, Lagos (Prisons) and offered legal services to the inmates, especially the indigent ones.
The total number of inmates in the facility was 240, the number of those awaiting trial was184, number of convicts was 51, number of inmates on death row was 5.
FIDA Lagos attended to a great number of the inmates that required legal assistance and will follow up their cases in court.
by adminFIDA Lagos Visits Lagos University Teaching Hospital (Luth), Presents Gifts To Her Adopted Ward ‘E4
On Friday, July 15, 2022, members of the Lagos State branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Lagos) paid a visit to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), during which they presented gifts to the children at the Olikoye Ransome Kuti Children Emergency Ward E4.
Led by the FIDA Lagos Chairperson, Barrister Chinwe Efobi and the Chairperson of the FIDA Law Week Committee, Barrister Biola Laseinde, FIDA members, who were ten in number, proceeded to present gifts to her adopted – Ward E4.
The visit was an offshoot of the FIDA Lagos Law Week which was held last month although the visit was postponed for logistical reasons.
After briefing the Deputy Chief Medical Director, Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo (who represented the Chief Medical Director) in company of the Director of Nursing, Mrs. Oyegoke and other members of staff prior to the presentation, Barrister Efobi informed the LUTH Management on the objectives of FIDA, adding that it was the custom of FIDA Lagos to visit Ward E4 and make presentations of gifts as part of its Annual Law Week programme.
Welcoming the FIDANs, Prof. Adeyemo informed them that LUTH is a tertiary healthcare facility owned and sponsored by the Federal Government of Nigeria with support from private individuals and corporate bodies. The hospital, which has 5 Wards, is the only public hospital in Nigeria that is not connected to the national grid as it generates its own gas-powered power supply.
The Professor went on to add that LUTH has the biggest Dialysis Centre in West Africa with 92 beds, which was donated by the late Chairman of the Lions Club International, and that LUTH has the biggest Oncology Centre and ICU in West Africa, with an Oncology Ward worth N1.5 billion, which was donated by a single woman in honour of her late daughter. The Cancer Centre, Prof. Adeyemo said, was donated by NSIA, while the various Wards were renovated by various corporate organisations. Other facilities, such as the Labour Ward, Neonatal Unit, X-ray and Medical Imaging, the CETPower Project, etc, are all products of Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The Professor expressed the gratitude of the LUTH Management for FIDA’s kind gesture towards Ward E4 and urged the Federation and other public-spirited individuals and organisations to do more as government cannot do it alone.
He also took some time to advise the visitors to take their health seriously by carrying out routine medical checkups and screenings, particularly for BP, diabetes and cancer every six months to ensure early detection. He also advised them on the need for proper diet and regular exercise.
Thereafter, the Deputy Chief Medical Director and other staffers of LUTH took the FIDA members on an extensive tour of the various facilities at LUTH, after which the FIDANs proceeded to the adopted Ward E4 for the presentation of gifts where the Assistant Director, Nursing Services, Mrs C.O. Nwokolo, received the gifts on behalf of the children. The Fidans thereafter offered prayers for the quick recovery of the children who have been admitted for various ailments.
Expressing the gratitude of the children, Mrs Nwokolo urged FIDA to intervene in partnership with the LUTH Management in respect of the ongoing renovation of Ward E4 by decorating the Play Area, as well as providing a FIDA emblem to indicate its adopted status.
The visit ended with photo sessions.
by adminFIDA Lagos Calls for the Enforcement of Relevant Laws and Regulations that Protect the Rights of Widows.
FIDA Lagos lends her voice to mark the Internation Widows’ Day 2022 calls for the enforcement of relevant laws and regulations that protect the rights of widows. The branch emphasized the need for Programmes and policies aimed at ending violence against widows and their children, poverty alleviation, education and other support to widows of all ages.
Discrimination and harmful practices must stop. Let us be intentional in the empowerment of widows to support themselves and their families and address social stigma. This should be the ultimate of every nation for sustainable development.
FIDA Lagos marked the International Widows Day with some widows from the Kosofe Community, sensitizing them on their legal rights and the role of the family in helping them buffer the stigma and the financial gap created by the death of their husbands at the FIDA secretariat.
by adminFIDA Lagos Marks 2022 Law Week with Talk Shops & Grand Dinner
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Lagos Branch 2022 Law week programme with the theme “Education as a Catalyst for Boosting the Self Image of the African Child” took place between 14th and 18th June 2022.
The opening ceremony was held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi , Victoria Island, Lagos under the distinguished Chairmanship of Tunde Busari, SAN. The Chairperson, Law Week Planning Committee, Abiola Laseinde, FCIS presented the welcome address while the FIDA Lagos Chairperson, Chinwe Efobi, FICMC made the opening remarks.
The keynote paper was presented by Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose SAN. The very enlightening and impactful presentation touched on several areas of the importance of quality education and came to the conclusion that the need for all-round education can never be overemphasized.
In the words of Bamgbose, “Educating the African Child is the best investment for societal development, and a positive self-image and development cannot be attained without education. If Africa desired a better image and development like other countries, then investment in education cannot be compromised, given that a positive self-image of a child cannot be accomplished without good education” she concluded.
There was a panel session after the presentation of the keynote lecture. The speakers were Mr. Owolabi Mayowa, Managing Partner PISTIS Partners LLP; Chairman, Continuing Legal Education, NBA Lagos. Dr. Ifyeyinwa Awagu, Director, Institute of Humanities Pan Atlantic University. Dr. Foluke Dada, Legal Researcher, Associate Professor, Caleb University Magodo Lagos. The panel session also had Mrs. Joy C. Ezeigbo, the Regional Vice President FIDA Africa and former DCVP FIDA Nigeria.
From their submissions, it was agreed that both formal and informal sectors of education need serious attention and a creative measure of delivering the curriculum is immediately necessary. Finally, the need for parental responsibilities through intentional parenting should be the ultimate for every parent who desires a progressive and sane society for economic development.
The 15th June, 2022 was set aside to brainstorm on “Capacity building sessions for the female professionals”. The virtual session had in attendance erudite speakers from different professional bodies who indeed did justice to the subject matter. The speakers were; Toyin Sani, Group CEO, Emerging Africa Capital. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, General Manager, Fixed Broadband MTN Nigeria. Yinka Ogunde, Principal Consultant EDUMARK. Mfon Usoro, Managing Partner, Paul Usoro & Co. The virtual event was graciously attended by the FIDA NIGERIA Country Vice President (CVP), Mrs. Amina Susanah Agbaje, who gave the opening remarks, FIDA Lagos Branch Exco and members, members from sister branches and the general public.
On the 16th day of June 2022, FIDA Lagos members and the Exco led by the Chairperson Mrs. Chinwe Efobi proceeded to the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children, Surulere Lagos to celebrate the International Day of the African Child and to join them in commemoration of their 60th Anniversary. FIDA Lagos made a presentation of food items and toiletries to the pupils who in return entertained us with well-presented songs. The event was an interactive and successful session.
The grand finale of the Law Week was the Red Carpet Dinner with the theme “The Red Banquet” which was held at Colossus International Hotels, Ikeja under the distinguished Chairmanship of Mr. Y. C. Maikyau SAN.
The FIDA Lagos Law week 2022 was indeed a well packaged, well attended, very impactful, and highly successful event.
by adminFIDA Lagos Capacity Building Workshop on Gender Responsive Budgeting
On 31st May and 1st June 2022, FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch with the support of UN Women on the Spotlight Initiative Project Phase II, held an inception meeting and capacity building workshop for civil society organization’s in Lagos State on gender-responsive budgeting.
The Program Manager of FIDA Nigeria Mr. Fikih Obaro the Facilitator discussed extensively the overview of the National Action Plan on GBV, and the overview of the National and Local legislation on GBV.
He also stressed that GRB does not mean dividing government expenditure 50:50 between women and men. Instead, they look at the budget from a gender perspective to analyze how it will meet and respond to the unique needs of everyone, including women and men, girls and boys. It was indeed an eventful outing
by adminFIDA Lagos Paid a Courtesy Visit to the CJ of the State
On the 24th of May 2022, the Executive members of FIDA Lagos went on a courtesy visit to the chief judge of Lagos state. In attendance were about 10-15 high court judges of Ikeja division and senior officers of Lagos state judiciary.
The esteemed team was led by the amiable FIDA Lagos Chairperson, Mrs. chinwe Efobi. The visit posited an auspicious synergy between the duo and remarkable positions were reached.
by adminFIDA Lagos Paid a Courtesy Visit to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State
FIDA Lagos led by the Chairperson, Mrs. Chinwe Efobi paid a courtesy visit to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State on Wednesday 20th of April 2022. Present at the meeting were four Directors of the Ministry including the Solicitor General.
The visit was aimed at enhancing the synergy between the Ministry and FIDA Lagos, intimating the Attorney General of outlined programmes and seeking the Ministry’s support.
The Chairperson spoke on behalf of the delegates, she discussed upcoming law week plans and requested for FIAT to enable FIDA Lagos to assist the Ministry in cases involving violation of women and children’s rights. The Chairperson also spoke on the proposed renovation of the Secretariat.
It was indeed a very successful and rewarding outing.
by adminFIDA Paid Courtesy Visit to Oba Aromire Ojora in Preparation for the Commemoration of the International Women’s Day
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Lagos Branch Lagos State, led by the Chairperson Mrs Chinwe Efobi paid an Advocacy/ Courtesy visit to Oba Abdul Fatai Aromire Ojora,
The Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu kingdom on Friday 4th of March 2022 in preparation for the commemoration of the International Women’s Day (IWD) coming up on the 8th of March, 2022.
The aim of the visit was to sensitize the Kabiyesi and his subjects on the upcoming event.
In the Chairperson’s entourage were the Vice-Chairperson, Mrs Abimbola Jack Oladugba, the Head of Project Committee, Mrs Nnenna Nwaokobia, Project Committee member, Ono Oliko and FIDA Nigeria Programme Officer (Lagos), Adaeze Nkekolonye.
The Kabiyesi received us with great joy and assured us of his unalloyed support. The Oba was presented with the current copy of the Blaze, a publication of FIDA Lagos.
The visit was highly successful.
by adminNO TO FGM: FIDA LAGOS PAYS SPECIAL VISIT TO MONARCH TO MARK UN DAY
As part of its activities to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation on the 6th of February 2022, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Lagos State Branch paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Oba (Alhaji) Kabiru Kolawole Alani Adelaja Agbabiaka, the Osolo of Isolo in Lagos State.
Led by its Chairperson, Mrs. Chinwe Efobi, the FIDA Lagos team informed the monarch that the purpose of the visit was to sensitise the Kaabiyesi and his Royal Council members on the forthcoming Town Hall meeting to mark this special day.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a traditional practice that is widespread in many Nigerian and African communities and has led to the death and disability of many of its victims.
by adminFIDA Lagos Commemorates International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State branch held her Townhall meeting which was a follow-up on the Advocacy/ Courtesy visit to the palace of Osolo of Isolo on Wednesday, 2nd of February 2022.
The town hall meeting was to mark the International Day of Zero tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with the theme “Accelerating investment to end female genital mutilation ”
The Chairperson, Mrs Chinwe Efobi gave a brief introduction of the significance of the day. The meeting was well attended. The Osolo of Isolo and his chiefs – in – council, iyalojas and representatives of different markets, the Youths, NURTW, palace guards etc. were all present.
A paper presentation on this year’s theme by Fidan Ifeyinwa Okpalaku and interpreted in Yoruba language by Ruth Akinwande to the participants. The Oba also spoke in Yoruba language on the harmful effects of the barbaric and harmful traditional practice and admonished his subjects to desist from such practices and also encouraged them to speak out when such is going on.
Fliers were shared to disseminate more information on the purpose of the town hall meeting. It was an interactive, impactful and successful meeting with many members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Lagos State Branch present.
