Cross River

Date of branch inauguration: 1985

1985 – 1987

Chairperson – Mrs. Bridget Odey

Secretary – Mrs. Rosemary Obanya                        

1987 – 1993

Chairperson – Mrs. Rosemary Obanya                       

Secretary – Mrs. Geraldine Akpet Ekanem               

1993 – 1999

Chairperson – Mrs. Juliana Ofobuche                        

Secretary – Mrs. Sarah Tateh                               

2004 – 2009  

Chairperson – Mrs. Rosemary Onah                           

Vice Chairperson – Mrs. Yvonne Paul Izeogu                    

Secretary – Dr. (Mrs.) Rose O. Ugbe                     

Assistant Secretary – Mrs. Lucianne Eriom                           

Treasurer – Mrs. Ama Ekpo                                 

Financial Secretary – Mrs. Etek Alobi                                   

Welfare 1 – Mrs. Lovina Otudor                             

2009 – 2016  

Chairperson – Mrs. Rosemary Onah                 

Vice Chairperson – Mrs. Mary Adeyemi                      

Secretary – Beatrice A. Awah                         

Treasurer – Mrs. Angela Obi                           

Financial Secretary – Rose Okoi                                  

Welfare Secretary – Mrs. Gloria Ikwang                      

PRO – Mrs. Gloria Ephraim                     

2016 – 2019

Chairperson – Beatrice Abongye Awah               

Vice Chairperson – Mrs. Angela Moku Obi                  

Secretary – Mrs. Rekana Owan Isong              

Assistant Secretary – Mrs. Patience Egwu                     

Treasurer – Mrs. Gloria Ephraim                     

Financial Secretary – Mrs. Tessy Agom                         

PRO – Mrs. Olive Onah                          

Welfare – Mrs. Iyeh Safia Ashipu                 

2019-2021

Chairperson – Angela M. Obi

Secretary – Affiong Onung

2022 – 2024

Chairperson – Ann Alorye Awah

Vice – Chairperson – Elsie Dan Oku

Secretary – Affiong Onung

Asst. Secretary – Doris Nduanusi

Treasurer – Maureen Anaman Nkiri

PRO – Olive Ugo Onah

Asst. PRO – Lorrita Ogu

Welfare Secretary – Deborah  Asuquo

2024 – 2027

Chairperson – Chairperson – Affiong Nkereuwem Onung

Vice – Chairperson – Maureen Nkiri

Secretary – Patience Vouda Egwu

Asst. Secretary – Immaculata Victor Asuquo

Treasurer – Deborah Agede Asuquo

Financial Secretary – Patience Anieyere Ubeng

PRO – Ubong Lilian Enya

Asst. PRO – Brown Silverline Nema

Welfare Secretary – Ntibi Joy Umo-Edem

FIDA Nigeria, Rivers State Branch Stands Against Female Genital Mutilation on United Nations International Day for Zero Tolerance

FIDA Nigeria, Rivers State Branch commemorated the United Nations International Day for Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on February 6th, 2024, under the theme “Her Voice.” Affirming their commitment to eradicating FGM and empowering girls and women, the branch emphasized human rights, gender equality, sexual education, and support for affected individuals. Calling for collaboration to end non-medical genital procedures, FIDA Rivers State stands resolute in addressing human rights abuses and gender disparities associated with FGM, both locally and globally.

Empowering Women’s Rights: FIDA Hosts Litigation Mentorship Program for Effective Prosecution

On January 31st, 2024, the second day of the Litigation Mentorship Training Program on Effective Prosecution of Women’s Rights took place. The event commenced with an opening prayer and the FIDA anthem. Hon. Justice Elsie N. Thompson delivered a paper on mastering professional conduct, ethics, and etiquette at the bar. Subsequently, Udoekong Umo Udofia Esq. conducted a session on the role of ICT in litigation, specifically focusing on e-filing pros and cons.

The second session, moderated by Iniobong Irene Pepple, centered on litigating women’s rights, covering various topics such as collaborative problem-solving techniques in mediating family conflicts, taking client instructions, fundamental principles in litigating dissolution of marriage, and enforcing women’s rights through fundamental rights proceedings. A question and answer session followed with insightful responses from the speakers.

Mrs. Evelyn Asimea Membere, Deputy Country Vice President of FIDA Nigeria, was among the attendees. The training concluded with a presentation of gifts to participants and resource persons, along with closing remarks and a vote of thanks from Hon. Justice Elsie Thompson, the visioneer of the HAGREB mentorship program. Held at the NBA Port-Harcourt Branch House, the training was highly impactful, leaving participants with invaluable knowledge.

FIDA CRS at the Spotlight Initiative Handover/Close Out ceremony 2023 in Cross River State.

Step-down Training and Mentorship Session

On the 29th to 31st August, 2023. FIDA Nigeria, Cross River State Branch was ably represented at a Step-down Training and Mentorship Session for Criminal Justice Actors & Civil Society Observatory Group members in Cross River State, organized by CLEEN Foundation with support from the MacArthur Foundation.

Children’s Day May 27th, 2023

On Friday the 26TH OF MAY, 2023 FIDA Cross River Branch, Paid a sensitization visit to Estate Primary and Secondary School, to flag off her activities in commemoration of the children’s day.

Officially handover the Cross River State General Hospital Female Ward Calabar

FIDA, Cross River State Branch on 19th of April, 2023 was officially handed over the Female Ward of the General Hospital, Calabar. The Ward shall be part of the projects of FIDA Cross River, who shall from time to time handle issues affecting the general look of the Ward. Present were the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Janet Ekpeyoung, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Pauline Obute, the Chief Medical Director of the General Hospital Calabar, Dr. Kuma.

Courtesy Visit to Cross Rivers State House of Assembly

FIDA Cross River Branch and some CSOs on the 3rd of April, 2023 embarked on an advocacy visit to the speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly, represented by the chairman Judiciary Committee was Hon. Barr. Chris Mbu-Ogar, who spoke on tools for effective Monitoring, Tracking, Releases and implementation of Gender Responsive Budgeting in Cross River. He gave his commitment to the full implementation of the gender budget allocations by MDAs in the State.

At the end of the visit group photos were taken and it was indeed a successful outing

International Women’s Day 2o23

In commemoration of International Women’s day 2023, FIDA Nigeria, Cross River State branch in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs Cross River State, embarked on a City Walk as one of her activities to mark the day.

International Women’s Day 2022

FIDA Cross River State branch in collaboration with other Civil Society Organisations Celebrated International Women’s Day by engaging in a peaceful protest on the 8^th of March, 2022. The demands of the protest are as follows;

• Special Seats for Women at the National and State Houses of Assembly
• Affirmative Action for Women in Political Party Administration
• Allocation of 35% Appointive Political Position
• Citizenship to Foreign Born Husbands of Nigerian women
• Indigeneship of Women in Husband’s state after at least five years of marriage.

16 Days of Activism 2020

FIDA Cross River rounding up the 16 days of activism in collaboration with other NGOs. It was a great outing creating awareness against SGBV.

FIDA Cross River Hosts a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law

FIDA (Nig.) Cross River Branch rounded off the MacArthur Foundation project on Friday, October 2nd, 2020 with a meeting of the entire Network of the Bar, Bench, Police, and Correctional services in order to achieve effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 in the Federal Capital Territory.

On the 30th September 2020, FIDA Nigeria Cross River State branch with support from MacArthur Foundation, organized a stakeholders training to establish a network of the Bar, Bench, Police force and Correctional Service in Cross River State, day 3 was networking with the Magistrates and Judges, they laid emphasize on funding as the major problem of implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJL) 2015 in Cross River State

FIDA Cross River Trains CSOs, Senior Government officials and Parliamentarians on Gender Responsive Budgeting

FIDA Nigeria, Cross River State branch held a training on August 4, 2020 for CSOs, senior government officials and parliamentarians on Gender Responsive Budgeting held at the Chamber of the Cross River State House of Assembly . At the occasion, FIDA and her network of CSOs put forward a set of Advocacy Asks aimed at achieving gender equality and the socio-economic well being of women and girls.

Workshops/Meetings 

FIDA Cross River at a Stakeholders meeting of Child Protection Network held at the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Social welfare, Calabar on the 6^thFebruary, 2018.The meeting was on finding ways to collaborate with other stakeholders for effective reporting system of violence against children. Emphasis was laid on the need for Police Desk Officers in all Police Stations across the State whose duties would mainly be to respond quickly to Child issues.

A 2-Day Consultative Meeting with Stakeholders to Develop Guidelines for Children in Contact with the Law and Child Victim was held on 9^th – 10^th October, 2017.

The meeting was to work on the Model and Guide, including issues on legal representation for children in Cross River State, the main reasons, cases or circumstances for which children come in contact with the law when accused of an offence, in correctional facilities and as victims. The challenges the children face and what legal services are available to them. 

Below, group work being carried out by participants at the workshop

One-day sensitization workshop on Complaints Policy for Borstals and Prisons in Nigeria held on the 13^th September 2017

FIDA Cross River attended a workshop which was organized by UNICEF on the management of juveniles in Nigeria. The workshop was premised on an in-depth assessment of the situation of juveniles in detention in cross River State including identification of challenges, as well as recommendations on short to medium-term remedial actions. The purpose is to strengthen juvenile justice system in the state. The participants at the workshop included FIDA, DPP and the Prisons. See below participants at a session of the workshop.

International Women Day Celebration on the 8^th March 2018

FIDA Cross River joined other women globally to celebrate the 2018 International Women’s Day. We were invited to talk on a phone in life program on Radio and Television. The discussions were on pertinent issues surrounding the concept of womanhood such as rape, incest, child abuse, female genital mutilation and female sexuality, which despite their profound impact on the lives of women, are unfortunately considered as taboo topics and shrouded in mystery and secrecy. Below, FIDA on a life Radio talk show, 8^th March, 2018. 

Workshop on the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2016 in Cross River State on 16^th March, 2018

FIDA Cross River State being one of the States chosen for The Mac-Arthur Foundation Continuing Legal Education Workshop on the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, successfully organized the Workshop at the Gomays Plaza Hotels, 90 Atekong Drive, Calabar, Cross River State on the 16^th day of March, 2018.

FIDA CRS on the 27^th February 2018, paid a courtesy call on the Chief Judge of Cross River State, Hon. Justice Michael Edem, to intimate him on the MacArthur/FIDA Workshop and to invite him and the Judiciary to be part of the training. We used this opportunity to appeal for a waiver on filing fees for FIDA cases involving the vulnerable and indigent persons who are not in the position to pay these fees which were always borne by the Association. The Honourable Chief Judge graciously granted our prayer and immediately directed the Chief Registrar to implement his directives to that effect.

Below is the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Michael Edem, Hon. Justice Imelda Itape, FIDA Chairperson and members during the courtesy call.

The Workshop was a veritable platform for members of FIDA and other stakeholders in the legal profession to learn, exchange ideas, reflect and familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 as well as the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Cross River State 2016. The workshop recorded huge success as members of the legal profession from the bar and bench were present. The Chairman NBA Calabar Branch, Dr. Emmanuel Idaka who led the NBA executives, gave a goodwill message and welcomed all dignitaries and participants to the workshop.

International Day for Street Children on the 12^th April, 2018

FIDA joined other organizations on the 8^th April which is declared as International Day for the Street Children to walk with the children through the major streets to create awareness and seek for intervention for them.

The menace of street children is in the increase in Calabar. Some of these children are branded as witches and abandoned by their parents, while some are orphans with no one to care for them.  

Below: FIDA Cross River members on a Street walk with Street Children

Below are members at a one day validation meeting on the development of Family Court Procedure Rules held on the 11^th April, 2019.