Lagos

Date of branch inauguration: March 2003 2003 -2006:  Chairperson – Silvia Shinaba (SAN) ( Of Blessed Memory) Vice-Chairperson – Lilian Osa-Fiana Secretary – Joy Ezeigbo Ast. Secretary – Chigoziri Ojiaka Financial Secretary – Bike Bakare Treasurer – Misan Kofi-Senaya Public Relations Secretary – Eliana Martins   2006-2009 Chairperson – Sylvia Shinaba(SAN) Vice-Chairperson – Elizabeth Akah Secretary – Chigoziri Ojiaka Asst. Secretary – Ngozi Ogbolu Financial Secretary – Belema Garriki Treasurer – Ngozi Ekwensi Public Relations Secretary – Tinuke Nwakohu   2009-2011 Chairperson – Chigoziri Ojiaka Vice-Chairperson – Olufunmi Oluyede Secretary – Marian Jones Asst. Secretary – Ngozi Ogbolu Financial  Secretary – Gertrude Onyewuche Treasurer – Philomena Nneji P.R.O – Nkechi  Vera Chukwueke        2011-2013 Chairperson – Olufunmi Oluyede Vice-Chairperson – Eliana Martins Secretary – Ifeyinwa Awagu Asst. Secretary – Chiagoziem Dururaji Finacial  Secretary – Gertrude Onyewuche Treasurer – Philomena  Nneji P.R.O – Amaka Itegboje   2013-2016 Chairperson – Eliana Martins Vice-Chairperson – Ngozi Ogbolu Secretary – Marian Jones Asst. Secretary – Philomena  Nneji Financial  Secretary – Olivia Nwachukwu Treasurer – Amaka Itegboje P.R.O – Biola Laseinde   2016-2019 Chairperson – Ngozi Ogbolu Vice-Chairperson – Adaku Mbama Secretary – Philomena Nneji Asst. Secretary – Olivia Nwachukwu Financial Secretary – Bimbo Obaseki Treasurer(2016-2018) – Carolyn Ibeh Treasurer(2018-2019) – Chinyere Obiagwu P.R.O – Tracy Amadigwe-Dike 2019-2022 Chairperson – Phil Nneji Vice-Chairperson – Chinwe Efobi Secretary – Oliva Nwachukwu Asst. Secretary – Chinyere Obiagwu Financial Secretary – Tracy Amadigwe Treasurer  – Chika Okoli Welfare Secretary – Chika Okoli P.R.O – Abimbola Jack ASSISTANT P.R.O – Chigozie Ezeonyejiaku 2022 – 2024 Chairperson – Chinwe Efobi Vice-Chairperson – Abimola Jack Oladugba Secretary – Adefowoke Olubusola Ayo-Ponle Asst. Secretary – Ganiyat Abidemi Adisa Treasurer – Ifeyinwa N. Uzokwe Financial Secretary – Nkem C. Ezeakunne P.R.O – Chika Eucharia Okolie Welfare Sec – Ruth Olufunke Akinwande

International Women’s Day 2022 The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Lagos Branch, held a Town Hall meeting with the theme ” Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, to mark the International Women’s Day On Wednesday the 8th of March 2022, at Ijora town hall, Palace Road Ijora. Opening Remarks were made by Mrs Chinwe Efobi, Chairperson Fida Lagos Branch and the Key note Speaker was Mrs. Roli Craig. It was a very successful and impactful meeting with an impressive number of women, both young and old.        

NO 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.

   

      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 the 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 babaric 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.       21 August 2021 FIDA LAGOS successfully carried out her first town hall meeting under the Ford Foundation project, on the theme: “Community Actions to address Gender-based Violence and Social Norms and Values that Entrench Violence Against Women and Girls in Obadore Community.”   26 July 2021 FIDA LAGOS in collaboration with Lagos State First Lady, Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwolu, distributed food items to Indigent Muslim Women at Makoko community for Eid-El- Kabir. celebration.     International Widows June 23, Day 2021 FIDA Lagos celebrated International Widows Day with tender hearts. On the UN theme: “Invisible Women, Invisible Problems”   and a subtopic: Harmful Widowhood Rites and The Law”   Speakers highlighted all the   Injustice faced by Widows, as they remain invisible to government and policymakers. They were enlightened on their rights. Moreover, a medical doctor also spoke on healthy living habits/ tips. Gifts were distributed to the widows and they were emotionally overwhelmed.   Children’s Day Celebration May 27, 2021 This year’s children’s day themed “unite to reverse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on children” was celebrated by FIDA Lagos with the FOMWAN children and children from FIDA Lagos adopted school. The P.R.O, Mrs. Abimbola Jack, who convened the children expressed concern over the rise in defilement cases and taught the children basic precautionary measures to avoid being violated. Mrs. Layi-Babatunde spoke on the basic skills and positive habits children should imbibe, while Mrs. Adefowoke Ayo-Ponle and Mrs. Jane Odogwu counseled the children on the behavioral attitude the society expects from them. The Asst P.R.O, Mrs. Chigozie Ezeonyejiaku brought home the effects of Covid-19 on families, especially children, while reminding the children that this year’s theme enjoins children that they should enjoy their rights to survival and development irrespective of their status or situation. This right is enshrined in both the Convention on Rights of the Child and the Child Rights Act 2003.   16 Days of Activism 2020 FIDA Lagos successfully held paralegal training for some members of the Ikeja community nominated/selected by the Regend on the 10 of December 2020.   12th of Dec 2020 FIDA Lagos schools outreach in commemoration of the 16 Days Activism against Gender-based Violence in Divine Step college Coker Orile Iganmu and Group School Mafuluku Oshodi Lagos. Students we’re sensitized and enlightened on pertinent issues of concern on the subject matter     FIDA Lagos in collaboration with the Nigeria Human Rights Commission, Lagos Chapter, yesterday 25 November 2020, flagged off this year’s 16 days of activism against Gender-based Violence, themed: Stop the Violence!!! Fund, Response, Prevent, and Collect. Orange the world!!!!   FIDA 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 for 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 a 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 to speak out when their rights are violated. He also requested that secondary school students in 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 the need for victims and even eyewitnesses 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.   FIDA 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 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 Friday, the 16 October 2020. The meeting, which was in four phases, ending with the joint meeting of all the stakeholders, the Bar, the Bench, the Police, and the Correctional Service.   8th of October 2020, FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State Branch with support from MacArthur Foundation successfully organized a Stakeholder meeting with the Bar, comprising of members of NBA branches in Lagos State, the Nigeria Legal Aid Council, Lagos State Ministry of Justice ( OPD, DPP, etc. ) On the effective implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL). Their responsibilities as provided by the ACJL and challenges faced in carrying out these responsibilities.   ON 30^TH July 2020: FIDA Lagos commemorated the  International Day Against Trafficking in Persons in collaboration with NAPTIP, IOM, and other NGOs. The celebration was done by way of advocacy and sensitization by taking a walk through the streets of Ikeja, Lagos, creating awareness on the ills of trafficking in persons, travails of the victims, and the attendant consequences of the crime. ON 19^TH MARCH 2018: FIDA Lagos held a one day workshop for stakeholders on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, a continuing legal education (CLE) sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation at the Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) 13/15 Kofo Abayomi Street, off Ozumba Mbadiwe street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The purpose of the workshop was to ensure well-informed players in the administration of the criminal justice system ON 4^TH OF MAY 2018:  FIDA Lagos paid a courtesy and advocacy visit to the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Lola Akande. 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence Legal Clinic 2018  ON 12^TH FEBRUARY 2019: FIDA Lagos State Branch paid a courtesy visitt to Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency(NIMASA). ON 5^TH MARCH 2019: FIDA Lagos paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Oke. ON 7^TH -8^TH MARCH 2019:: FIDA Lagos joined the world to commemorate International Women’s Day on the theme: ON 20^TH MARCH 2019: FIDA Lagos participated in a workshop on validation of a manual on sexual violence and Juvenile Delinquency at Igondo Lagos. On the 11^th of October 2019, Fidan Amazon’s from Lagos branch troupe out in large numbers to celebrate the girl child with school children in an eventful and colorful way.