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.
by adminFIDA Lagos Steps Up Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence
Community sensitization is an effective way of providing first-hand, reliable information to communities, to this end, FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State branch on the 6th of September 2021, successfully carried out her first sensitization/awareness campaign under the Ford Foundation project at Odugunyan/Odonla community Ikorodu, with the theme: “Community Actions to address Gender-Based Violence and Social Norms and Values that Entrench Violence Against Women”.
In attendance were the Baale of Odongunyan Community, Iya Loja of Odongunyan and the Iya Loja of Odonla, Hon. Bola Adaramola Councillor Odogunyan Ward, Members/representatives from the community, Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson FIDA Ikorodu Branch.
To kick start the campaign was a brief introduction of FIDA and Ford Foundation to state the essence of the awareness campaign.
The Odongunyan Grammar Schools, both Junior and Senior Secondary, the markets and the streets of the community were all sensitized.
During the campaign, ad-hoc legal clinic, for men, women, and students was carried out issues related to gender-based violence were reported and attended to, also inviting them for the next legal clinic session. The impact was massive.
by adminFIDA Nigeria Inaugurates Additional Branches
On the 8th and 9th of September, 2021, history was made as FIDA Nigeria inaugurated her 39th and 40th branches- FIDA Badagry and FIDA Ikorodu respectively in Lagos State.
The occasion was attended by the Country Vice President, FIDA Nigeria, Rhoda Prevail Tyoden; Regional Vice-President, Africa (North and West) Mrs. Joy Ezeigbo; National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Eliana Martins; the Asst. National Publicity Sec., Mrs. Lizzy Akah; and Chairperson, FIDA Lagos, Mrs. Philomena Nneji, amongst others.
The CVP, in her opening address, reminded all FIDANS of FIDA’s mission which is to promote, protect, and preserve the rights, interest and well-being of women and children through the use of legal framework to ensure that they all live free from all forms discrimination, violence, and abuse in the society.
She encouraged FIDANS and indeed the key stakeholders in attendance to speak out against Gender-Based Violence/Domestic Violence so as to eradicate all forms of violence in society.
She encouraged the newly inaugurated Badagry and Ikorodu branches to ensure teamwork, cooperation, and unity in their service delivery to better impact the communities and achieve greater heights.
The Regional Vice President, Mrs. Joy Ezeigbo, and the National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Eliana Martins also stressed the need to focus on the noble aims and objectives of FIDA for effectiveness and efficiency.
Goodwill messages were received from members of the judiciary, the police, learned silks, the NBA, traditional leaders, faith-based groups, and the youth and market women representatives who applauded FIDA for her great works, particularly her quest to move closer to the communities they serve.
FIDA Nigeria, bringing her services closer to the communities!
by adminFIDA Nigeria held a capacity-building workshop at Obadore community, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State
FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State branch, with the support of Ford Foundation, held a capacity building workshop themed, “Elimination of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through effective implementation of the VAPP ACT 2015 and the Protection Against Domestic Violence law of the State 2007” at Obadore community, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State on the 5th of May, 2021.
Highlights of the workshop were discussions on sexual violence, discriminatory traditional or cultural practices in the community and provisions in the VAPP Act and Lagos State Domestic Violence Law that outlines punitive measures for perpetrators
by adminFIDA Lagos Flags off 16 Days of Activism 2020
FIDA Lagos in collaboration with the Nigeria Human Rights Commission, Lagos Chapter, yesterday 25 November 2020, flagged off this year’s 16 days activism against Gender Based Violence, themed: Stop the Violence!!! Fund, Response, Prevent and Collect. Orange the world!!!!
#16DaysOfActivism
#EndGBV
#orangetheworld
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 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.
