by FIDAFIDA Nigeria AGC Cocktail Party
The FIDA Nigeria Annual General Conference (AGC) kick-started with a welcome cocktail held at Sentosa Parks & Garden, Apo, FCT Abuja on the 24th of November 2021. The cocktail began at about 6 pm. Fidans from over 38 branches in attendance were warmly welcomed to Abuja by the host branch FIDA Abuja, represented by the Chairperson, Rekia Racheal Adejo-Andrew. The evening was relaxing with refreshments and dance.
by FIDADay 3 FIDA NEC Meeting Kaduna
On the 18th of October 2021, FIDA Nigeria, National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting started off with a business meeting held at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Hall Kaduna State. The session was chaired by the Country Vice President/National President FIDA Nigeria; Rhoda Prevail Tyoden and in attendance were over 25 branch representatives enabling serious discussions on key and topical issues in line with FIDA’s mandate
Later that evening to conclude the day’s activities was a Dinner/Awards Night, with the Special Guest of Honour being the First Lady of Kaduna State, Her Excellency Asia Ahmad El – Rufai accompanied by her husband the Executive Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Also, in attendance were the Chief Judge of Kaduna State, Honorable Justice Muhammadu Lawal Bello, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Aisha Dikko, Accountant General of the State Shizzer Nasara Bada amongst others members of the state executive and judiciary
The Governor in his closing remarks expressed delight that FIDA Nigeria chose Kaduna State for her NEC meeting while appreciating FIDA for her great service to humanity and encouraging FIDA in her noble vision and mission.
by FIDAFormal Opening Ceremony of FIDA Nigeria’s 3rd Quarter NEC Meeting
The formal opening ceremony of FIDA Nigeria’s 3rd Quarter National Executive Council Meeting (NEC) was held on the 14th of October, 2021 at Hotel Seventeen, Tafawa Balewa Way Kaduna.
The ceremony began with a welcome address from the Host branch Chairperson FIDA Kaduna, Hajia Zainab Atoba as she welcomed all branches of FIDA to the state. The Country Vice President/National President of FIDA Nigeria, Rhoda Prevail Tyoden gave her Opening Remarks.
The Chief Judge of Kaduna State, Honorable Justice Muhammadu Lawal Bello declared the program opened which was followed by the formal Inauguration of FIDA Nigeria Zaria Branch thereby bringing FIDA’s services closer to the grassroot.
The interim branch executive officers were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Kaduna State, in the presence of the Emir of Zazzau Zaria, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, amongst other state government officials, members of the judiciary and notable guests who graced the occasion.
This was followed by the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program which was an intriguing session on Trauma-Informed Care – First Time Responders Training, followed by a discussion on the Child Rights Act with presentations by different state branches
State branches were in the evening hosted to a cultural night which had in attendance the First Lady of Kaduna State, Asia Ahmad El – Rufai amongst other dignitaries. The State cultural dance troupe entertained everyone including FIDA branches who showcased their beautiful cultures in different dances and attire.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria 3rd Quarter National Executive Council Meeting
FIDA Nigeria kick-started her 3rd Quarter National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna State, on the 13th of October 2021, with a visit to Jam’Iyyar Matan Arewa Orphanage Home, the place of refuge for orphans, homeless, and abandoned Kids.
The Country Vice President/National President Rhoda Prevail Tyoden, accompanied by her National Executive Officers and representatives of the different FIDA Branches.
In her remark, appreciated the zeal and efforts of management and urged them to continue in their cause of fending for the vulnerable and less privileged kids.
On behalf of FIDA Nigeria, she made a donation to support the care of the babies while furthermore assuring them of continued support, especially legal aid in their cases.
This noble cause of being a blessing to these less privileged kids and spending time with them gave immense joy and peace to all Fidans from the different branches who were present.
Later that evening, was a welcome cocktail, which had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State ably represented by the Accountant General of the State Shizzer Nasara Bada, the Chief Judge of Kaduna State, Honorable Justice Muhammadu Lawal Bello who was supported by members of the Judiciary (Judges and Magistrates), alongside Fidans from over 28 branches in the federation.
A delightful entertaining and most eventful evening it was as members enjoyed the warm hospitality of the host branch, FIDA Kaduna State ably led by the Chairperson Zainab M. Atoba
by FIDAFIDA Abuja Commemorates International Day of the Girl Child 2021
In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child 2021, themed “Digital Generation-Our Generation”, FIDA (Nigeria), Abuja Branch paid an Advocacy outreach to Government Secondary School Tudun Wada, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
The outreach was premised on seeking ways to address the gender digital divide experienced by today’s generation of girls, by illustrating that we must take a strong generational gender lens to the digital divide if we are to achieve meaningful and sustainable change for a digital revolution.
by FIDAFIDA Plateau Held A Sensitization Campaign On Socio-Cultural Norms And Vices That Perpetuate GBV
Eliminating violence against women and girls requires a community-based, multi-dimensional approach (sensitization/campaigns), and sustained engagement with multiple stakeholders.
FIDA Nigeria, Plateau State branch; with support from the Ford Foundation, on September 23rd and 25th, took to the streets of Mangun Community, Mangu L.G.A and Gyel Community, Jos South L.G.A of Plateau State to sensitize a larger populace in the beneficiary communities on socio-cultural norms and vices that perpetuate gender-based violence as well as subjugate the rights of women and girls in these communities.
FIDA Team in the company of each community’s SGBV Surveillance Team participated in the walk, distributing pamphlets, while addressing issues peculiar to each community, educating the populace on the effects of these acts on the victim, community, and society at large; and possible sanctions against a perpetrator.
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 House officially commissioned
FIDA House was officially commissioned on Wednesday, 29th of September 2021 in Abuja, FCT.
It was commissioned by Her Excellency, Dame Pauline K. Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs, ably represented by Mrs. Funke Oladipo, Director; Women Development at the Ministry of Women Affairs, Abuja.
Prominent ex- national officers of FIDA were present at the occasion:
FIDA International Secretary, Florence Amesiamaka; FIDA International Director, Ezinwa Okoroafor; past CVP & Regional Vice President, Stella Omiyi; past CVPs; past FIDA International Historian & Director, Mercy Agbamuche; past FIDA International Regional Vice-President (North and West) Africa, Chief Victoria Awomolo, SAN; past national and state branch officer; current branch chairpersons, secretaries and officers.
FIDA Nigeria partners, donors, collaborators and friends also graced the occasion.
FIDA has continuously grown from strength to strength over the years, by the grace of God, through the effort and support of her members, partners and friends.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Mourns the Passing of a Great FIDA Amazon DR. HAUWA EVELYN SHEKARAU
A Human rights activist with a beautiful soul, full of love and faith, now ascended to heaven away from us, but closer to God, leaving loneliness, sadness, and a great vacuum to be filled.
FIDA Nigeria mourns the passing of a great FIDA Amazon DR. HAUWA EVELYN SHEKARAU:
Current UN Representative FIDA International;
Past CVP/National President, International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA Nigeria. May 2012 – December 2015;
Past Deputy Country Vice President, FIDA Nigeria, April 2006 – April 2012;
Past Chairperson, FIDA Abuja Branch, Sept 2002 – Aug 2006.
Hauwa has indeed been a pacesetter who is a great inspiration to many, an exemplary leader who led a very impactful life, touching different lives as a mother, friend, sister, colleague, associate, and mentor.
She was resolute in her cause of positively improving the lives of women and children.
This is a great loss to FIDA; she will be sorely missed.
FIDA Nigeria wishes to express her most sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau and indeed all who love and cherish her
May her soul rest eternally in the bosom of the Lord. Amen
Hauwa Lives on!!!
Signed:
FIDA Nigeria
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!
