A student Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja Branch has been inaugurated at Baze University Abuja.
Led by its Chairperson, Chibuzo Maureen Nwosu, the branch on Tuesday, 20 February 2024 successfully piloted the historic event which has set Baze University on the path to raise young, vibrant advocates and champions of women and children’s rights.
Ms. Nwosu said as much in her address when she announced that the Chapter was set up “to groom the younger generation early to have the freedom to choose a befitting life style and live their own future in order to have a just, peaceful and equitable Nigerian Society where women and children’s rights and interests are guaranteed and protected in schools, homes and workplaces.”
FIDA Abuja Chair also noted that having a FIDA chapter at the university level will further push the FIDA campaign to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls and to equip the students to protect themselves and be ambassadors, disclosing that more student chapters will be inaugurated across the country.
“FIDA Abuja Branch is committed to working with the Base University Chapter to see that female students in FIDA excel beyond their academics and also achieve the objectives of the Association. Our main objective is to protect, promote and preserve the rights of women and children. These we realize through the provision of free and effective legal services, counselling, mediation and empowerment to indigent women/children who are victims of violence or threatened rights’ violation.
“FIDA is an Association of Women Lawyers who have been called to the practice of Law in Nigeria. However, the membership has been extended to female Law Students in Universities, Law Schools and Law Graduates.
“The inauguration of Female Law Students is undoubtedly a significant milestone for the University community and FIDA movement in Nigeria,” she added.
Commending the project, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Vice Chancellor of Base University Professor Prof. Kathleen Okafor enjoined members of the association to build on their digital skills and network with others, asserting that FIDA should work harder to advance its objectives.
“The task for these students is very simple: they need to meet other people both inside and outside, FIDA is an international organization and so this is a launching pad to more national cohesion and international networking with other women linking other platforms for women development and emancipation,” she said.
For the newly elected president of FIDA BAZE, Odebala Onemena, the task to make a difference, inspire change, make a lasting impact in the lives of fellow law students, women and children in the university community is that she and team will execute to the letter.
“It is a great honour and privilege to be the first Chairperson of the newly established FIDA Base university chapter.
” FIDA is a beacon of hope and empowerment for women and children across the globe founded on the principle of justice, equality and human rights. FIDA has been in the forefront of championing the rights of women and children in the legal sphere for decades.
“As a woman who has experienced first hand the challenges and obstacles faced by women and children in Nigeria, my journey with FIDA would be deeply personal , it is this lived experience that fuels my passion and commitment to FIDA, for me, FIDA is more than just an organisation, it is a beacon of hope and catalyst for hope,” she said.
Also, Farida Usman , the Financial Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association Abuja branch (Unity Bar) was appointed matron of the FIDA Baze to guide them along FIDA Abuja branch.
Delivering her vote of thanks, Tosin Oke, the University Law Clinic Coordinator expressed deep appreciation to FIDA for using Baze university as a springboard to champion the cause of humanity among young people.
Formed in 1944 by some Mexican Female Lawyers, FIDA is an acronym for the Spanish name Federacion Internacionale de Abogadas. The English translation is International Federation of Women Lawyers. FIDA has been in existence in Nigeria for 60 years with 45 branches in 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
