Professor of law and one-time United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking persons, Joy Ezeilo, SAN has used the occasion of her 58th birthday to bring succor to seven Nigerians that have suffered abuse in various ways.
Taking to her X handle (former Twitter) the Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Women’s Rights Advocate whose birthday (27th March) fell within the International women’s Month, made no bones about being born in the women’s history month.
“At 58, I’m looking the world straight in the eyes and grateful for all the milestones. To God be the glory. I have a hectic work schedule today as I’m doing field surveys away from family, friends and colleagues, so there’s no special birthday celebration
“However, I’m in a very high reflective spirit. I’m also happy to have been born in March, ‘Women’s Month.’
“I understand that 27 March in history was when the first blood transfusion was made, and the Ford Maker was also born. To my birthday mates, I now know three Nigerians and two British who share the exact birth dates. Congratulations, too, and enjoy your big day.
“To celebrate my birthday, I will donate 25% of my monthly professor salary of 412K for the next seven months. Each of the seven nominees will receive 25% of my donation. Unveiling next!”
The Professor in a statement made available to Law & Society Magazine added:
Meet my birthday beneficiaries: I picked them from the pool of Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) and WACOL Tamar SARC clients and families who were offered free legal aid and assistance as part of our pro bono Services to the poor. Please note that the full names of minors and adults are not mentioned for their privacy and safety.
1. An enterprising young lady, Ifeanyi, works hard to support herself despite her disability—being blind. She is currently a Postgraduate (MSC) student at the UNN. She is into the soap and perfume-making business.
2. To Joy (my namesake), an auxiliary nurse whose little sister of six (6) living with her was defiled within the hospital where she works by the gateman. The culprit is being prosecuted. It is poverty that puts her in a situation where she has to be a caretaker of the younger sibling.
3. Miss “XYZ”, a 14-year-old girl, was a victim of abduction and rape last year by a pastor of one of the Pentecostal Churches at Uzo Uwani, Enugu State. Through WACOL intervention, the suspect is facing prosecution. The parents are peasants and farmers and need every support to put food on the table.
4. Miss “ ABC”, 14 and victim of defilement/ pregnancy in the hands of security personnel. She gave birth on 1st March 2024 in Enugu. She lives with her stepmom and the newborn in a small room, which they use as a kitchen and just one bed. The stepmom has health challenges as well.
5. Uchechi from Ebonyi state is a victim of spousal battery, pressed with a hot iron to her breast and pushed down from upstairs. She was also sheltered at the WACOL safe house in the heat of the crisis, where the perpetrator faces prosecution.
6. Mr and Mrs Ominyi from Benue state, whose daughter of 8 years was raped to death. They still struggle to make ends meet and train their other two children. WACOL recently paid NECO fees for the son who missed registering for WAEC because of a lack of funds.
7. Mrs Weputa is in dire need of welfare. A mother of two and victim of spousal physical and verbal abuse. Her children drink dirty and unclean ‘Well” water and starve sometimes because of no food to eat.
I want to let the seven and their families know that they are not alone. They are in my thoughts today and always as we fight to end inequalities and injustice in our society.
Aluta continua!
