
Strike balance between work, family – Justice Odilli tells female lawyers
Tina Amanda
Retired Justice Mary Odili has encouraged female lawyers in the state to remain resilient in confronting any situation that may arise while balancing their career, family and work.
Retired Justice Odilli stated this while delivering her keynote speech during a seminar for female Lawyers, with the theme: “Build me up – Balancing Career, Family and Work”, organised by FIDA Rivers State in Port Harcourt.
She urged the female lawyers not to give in to unnecessary distractions over things that are not substantial but be focused on their career, family and work pursuits.
“I encourage you to be focused and not give up; any confrontation, you should not back off but rather confront it, and by God’s grace, you will prevail.
“Focus and hard work is the so that nobody will hold you to ransom”.
Chief Judge of Rivers State High Court and Chairman of the occasion, Justice Simeon Amadi, who Justice Kio ably represented, said that as much as work and family is enormous, the two most crucial area of human life must be balanced.
“The work requirements and family responsibilities could be enormous, especially in a male-dominated profession of ours, as a result of the enormity of a lawyer’s work.
“Children and parents tend to have lesser communication and conversation due to parents’ work and career. I am delighted that you have carefully chosen a keynote speaker and other distinguished speakers who have balanced their jobs, family and work.
“At the end of the seminar, it should provide the antidote to strike a balance between career, family and work”.
Chairperson International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA Rivers State, Adata Bio-Briggs, said the seminar is part of their five years strategic goal to mentor women, not just female lawyers alone, but every career female in the state.
“One of our packages is mentoring because we have realized a need to mentor female lawyers and professionals.
“We need to learn how to balance our career, family and work; there is always this clash in balancing them, which is why we decided to have women who have done it successfully.
“We must have this balance because we must be successful as women and get to the top of our careers. There is always this struggle for family, career and all, so we need to learn from those who have done it; that was the essence of the seminar”.

FIDA Rivers Commemorates International Day of the Boy
In commemoration of the International Day of the Boy Child, FIDA Nigeria Rivers State Branch visited Enitonna Boys School, an all Boy’s School on the 16th of May 2022
In line with the theme of this year’s celebration, which bothers the Boy and his Mental Health, the boys were educated on the importance of mental health as well as the environmental factors that affect same. They were admonished to break all gender stereotypes, discover themselves and be confident in who they are. They were further advised to eschew all bad influences in society and focus on their education which is their primary responsibility.
Other topics discussed with the boys were; Sexual Offences and their consequences and the Rights of the Boy Child as provided under the laws of Rivers State.
It was an educative, enlightening, and insightful session for the boys and their teachers. Sophia I. J. Afolayan Publicity Secretary/Editor FIDA Nigeria Rivers State Branch.

Strengthening Women’s Voices, Institutions, Rights and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
In the implementation of the “Strengthening Women’s Voices, Institutions, Women’s Rights and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls In Nigeria Project”, FIDA Nigeria, Rivers State branch in partnership with Nigerian Women Trust Fund and under the sponsorship of Ford Foundation successfully translated the Rivers State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP LAW) into pidgin English which was utilized in the paralegal training of fifty local community leaders from Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Paralegal Training which was held on the 20th day of October 2022, in Okrika, had in attendance local community leaders from the traditional council, religious groups, youth groups, vigilante groups, women groups, and representatives of the Nigerian Police force
The Participants of the training were intensively trained in four engaging sessions on categories of gender-based violence, strategies for ending gender-based violence/ increased participation of women in Leadership positions, and how to effectively serve as paralegals for effective implementation of the VAPP Law.
At the end of the intensive sessions, participants resolved to use the law as an instrument to curtail gender-based violence and to achieve a significant increase in the participation of women in leadership positions.

FIDA Rivers Celebrated the International Widows Day With Over 30 Widows at St Barnabas Anglican Church, Bundu Ama Community
FIDA Rivers State, on the 23rd of June 2022, celebrated the International Widows Day with over 30 Widows at St Barnabas Anglican Church, Bundu Ama Community of Rivers State.
The event featured lectures from Guest speaker and past Chairperson, Hon. Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam on the theme “Sustainable Solutions for Widows Financial Independence” and the rights of a widow presented by the Branch’s treasurer, Mrs. Erefaka Dumotari Boma.
The women were also taught Food Processing as a means of generating income for themselves by Mrs. Briggs Okorite Yobo and Liquid soap making by Mrs. Daba Iketubosin.
Foodstuffs, wrappers, and cash token were presented to the Widows. The widows were overwhelmed with joy and thanked FIDA for choosing to come to their church for the program

FIDA Rivers Celebrates International Children’s Day
FIDA Nigeria, Rivers State Branch, today joined the rest of the world in celebrating children. The branch put together a special seminar for students in Secondary school with the Theme “Better Future for every Child”.
The event which took place at the NBA House, Bank Road Port-Harcourt, had representatives from 12 schools drawn across the State.
The special guest of the occasion was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women affairs, Mrs Uche Uriri. Also in attendance was the Director of Education, Ministry of youth Development Mr Samuel Miebaka, the Deputy Country Vice President of FIDA Nigeria, Mrs Evelyn Membere Asimea, The Secretary of FIDA International Hon. Florence Adokiye Amiesimaka, Immediate past President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Port-Harcourt Branch, Dr Vetty Agala, a reprentative of Wumsy’s care and a psychologist Faith Omalu.
The Event featured Seminar presentation/talk on Bullying in Schools and how to cope with it by Faith Omalu, personal Hygiene by Dr Vetty Agala and Sexual Harassment by Erefaka Dumotari Boma Esq.
Representatives of the different schools presented playlets, dance, spoken word poetry, and choir renditions. They also partook in various entertaining and educative Games.
Thereafter Gifts were presented to the winners of the games and the essay Competition.
Indomie representatives were on ground to serve the children freshly cooked noodles and who also presented gifts to all who participated in the various games.
FIDA Nigeria, Rivers State Branch appreciates all FIDANs for putting smiles on the faces of the children by their various contributions towards the success of the program

FIDA Warri Branch Pays Courtesy Visit to Honourable Justice T.O. Uloho
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Warri Branch ably led by her Chairperson Megbele Ogechi Jessica with members of the Executive Committee on 25th day of April, 2022, paid an advocacy visit to the Administrative Judge of Otu-Jeremi High Court, Honourable Justice T.O. Uloho at the Otu-Jeremi High Court premises.
The advocacy visit to the administrative Judge is to solicit support and also for membership drive.
The visit was a huge success, Honourable Justice T.O. Uloho in her response commended the branch and its leadership, and encouraged the Executives to reach out to other members of the bench and old FIDA pioneer members and further pledged her support for the branch.
The Branch also presented to Hon. Justice Uloho a branded throw pillow.
More photos from the courtesy visit

FIDA Rivers Organized a One-Day Workshop On the ACJL – Practical Approach To Arrest And Related Matters For Law Enforcement Agencies
FIDA Nigeria, Rivers State Branch in collaboration with Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council, Rivers State Police Command, International Committee of the Red Cross, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria ( LACON) and Nigeria Bar Association (Port Harcourt Branch), held a one day Workshop on: “Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) – Practical Approach to Arrest and Related Matters for Law Enforcement Agencies and Launch of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme ( PDSS) in Rivers State”.
The event held on the 13th of April, 2022 at the NBA Port Harcourt Branch House. In attendance were Honourable Judges of the Rivers State High Court and Magistrates, with 250 participants drawn from different Police Formation Division in the State and other Stakeholders present.
The intensive workshop was declared open by the Chief Judge of Rivers State; Hon. Justice S.C Amadi, while the Keynote Address was delivered by the Representative of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.
The Workshop had four different sessions on notable provisions of the ACJL, Accessing free Legal Aid Services at the Police Station: A case study of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme(PDSS), New Practice Direction and Police Reporting Obligations in the State. These Sessions were anchored by eminent resource persons such as; Mrs. Evelyn Asimiea (DCVP) FIDA Nigeria, Mrs.Nnenna Igbokwe (Chairperson Emeritus FIDA Rivers), and other Resource Persons from the International Red Cross Committee, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, FIDA Nigeria Rivers State Branch, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitory Council.
The workshop was indeed a huge success and will go a long way in strengthening the Criminal Justice System in Rivers State.

FIDA Rivers Held a One-day Workshop on the ACJL – Practical Approach to Arrest And Related Matters For Law Enforcement Agencies
FIDA Nigeria, Rivers State Branch in collaboration with Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council, Rivers State Police Command, International Committee of the Red Cross, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria ( LACON) and Nigeria Bar Association (Port Harcourt Branch), held a one day Workshop on: “Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) – Practical Approach to Arrest and Related Matters for Law Enforcement Agencies and Launch of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme ( PDSS) in Rivers State”.
The event held on the 13th of April, 2022 at the NBA Port Harcourt Branch House. In attendance were Honourable Judges of the Rivers State High Court and Magistrates, with 250 participants drawn from different Police Formation Division in the State and other Stakeholders present.
The intensive workshop was declared open by the Chief Judge of Rivers State; Hon. Justice S.C Amadi, while the Keynote Address was delivered by the Representative of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.
The Workshop had four different sessions on notable provisions of the ACJL, Accessing free Legal Aid Services at the Police Station: A case study of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme(PDSS), New Practice Direction and Police Reporting Obligations in the State. These Sessions were anchored by eminent resource persons such as; Mrs. Evelyn Asimiea (DCVP) FIDA Nigeria, Mrs.Nnenna Igbokwe (Chairperson Emeritus FIDA Rivers), and other Resource Persons from the International Red Cross Committee, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, FIDA Nigeria Rivers State Branch, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitory Council.
The workshop was indeed a huge success and will go a long way in strengthening the Criminal Justice System in Rivers State.

FIDA Rivers Hosts a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law
FIDA Nigeria, Rivers state branch with support from MacArthur Foundation organised a 4 day stakeholders meeting with the Bar, Bench, Police Force and Correctional Services to review the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Rivers state and the challenges faced by each stakeholder in implementing the law, as well as create an environment to enable networking to ensure effective implementation.
Justice Fiberesima

FIDA Rivers Press Conference\Walk on Zero Tolerance for Rape
FIDA Rivers organized a press conference\walk on Zero tolerance for Rape, defilement and other forms of abuse\violence against women and children. Also visited the Police Headquarters.
#notogbv