By Rahila Dauda
In line with its mandate of promoting, preserving and protecting the rights of women and children, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja branch launched a centre at university town of Gwagwalada in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the 25th of February 2021.
Professor Josephine Agbonika, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja has been appointed as coordinator.
In her opening remarks, Chairperson of FIDA Abuja Mrs Rekia Rachael Adejo-Andrew said there cannot be a better time to bring FIDA to Gwagwalada, seeing that the cases of abuses and violence against women and children are on the increase.
She further said: “It is our belief that with the inauguration of FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja Branch, Gwagwalada Centre…, the indigent women and children in Gwagwalada Area Council who are victims of any form of violence, discrimination and any form of threatened rights violation and or abuse shall get free legal services for the redress of such violations and abuses’’ Mrs Rekia Rachael Adejo-Andrew
It is instructive to note that the FIDA Abuja Branch, Gwagwalada Centre is not autonomous, but a creation of convenience and accessibility to members of the public in Gwagwalada and shall for the time being remain an integral part of FIDA Abuja.
The Country Vice President of FIDA Nigeria who was represented by the Deputy Country Vice President, Mrs Amina Agbaje reiterated the importance of FIDA and its mandate, she also appreciated the chairperson of FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja Branch and her executives for making this possible
In her own speech, the immediate past FIDA Regional Vice President (North And West Africa) Chief Mrs Victoria Awomolo SAN explained the role of FIDA in the society: its structure and how it operates. She also explained that FIDA has over the years handled pro bono cases for indigent women and children, and most worthy of note is that FIDA has put in structures to ensure that the future generation continues with the vision. She further encouraged the society to support FIDA and all it stands for as the rewards far outweighs the sacrifices.
The FIDA International UN Representative who was also a former country vice president of FIDA Nigeria Dr Hauwa Shekarau gave her own remarks, stressing the need for more centres across branches as this will bring FIDA closer to its members and also ensure effective justice delivery.
Other dignitaries present including the Presiding Judge of the FCT High Court, Gwagwalada, Hon Justice Anna I. Akobi of the Kwali High Court and Chairman Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Gwagwalada Branch Mr Isah Aliyu expressed appreciation to FIDA for the giant stride and pledged their unfettered support to FIDA and her activities.
Prof Josephine Agbonika, the Coordinator of the FIDA Abuja, Gwagwalada Centre equally expressed her appreciation to FIDA Nigeria, the judiciary, the NBA and all present for making Centre a reality. She particularly thanked the Chief Magistrate of Gwagwalada for giving the Centre a space in his court for their operations.
