by FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDANO 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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 FIDAFIDA 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!
