The Lagos branch of the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) has elected new officers to pilot the affairs of the association for the next three years.
The officers are: Mrs. Philomena Nneji (chairperson) and Olivia N. Nwachukwu (secretary).
Other officers include: Chinwe M. Efobi Vice-Chairperson; Veronica N. Eze – Assist. Secretary; Abimbola Jack Oladugba – Publicity Secretary Mrs Chigozie W Ezeonyejiaku – Assistant Publicity Secretary Mrs Ugboaku Tracy Amadigwe-Dike – Treasurer, Chinyere Obiagwu – Financial Secretary and Chika E. Okolie – Welfare Secretary
They will serve the association for three years. Already, Nneji has outlined a programme of action expected to overhaul FIDA operations in Lagos, inject new ideas and innovations to contribute to justice sector reforms in Lagos State.
She said the new Lagos FIDA executive would expedite action on pro-bono services to ensure that indigent Nigerians who cannot afford legal services are well represented in court.
In line with the body’s core objectives, the Nneji-led executive will set machinery in place to promote, protect and preserve the rights and interests of women and children. Given the high incidence of gender-based violence, she said, there is a need to ensure that perpetrators face the full wrath of the law as a deterrent to others.
She promised to establish a robust relationship between the Bench, Bar, and the senior law firms to boost the effective and timely delivery of justice. In addition, FIDA will work closely with the office of the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and the Chief Judge, among other key stakeholders.
Nneji said she is passionate about gender-friendly bills and would, therefore, collaborate with the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Human Rights Commission, various branches of the NBA, Security Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, the media, the Lawyers in the Media group, and other professional bodies to achieve FIDA’s core objectives, adding that the effective decongestion of prisons is a priority for FIDA Lagos, especially female prisons where a good number of inmates have served their terms while still awaiting trial.
FIDA Lagos raised the alarm over incessant cases of rape and abuse of minors in Nigeria, saying it plans to embark on an enlightenment campaign for girls, parents and guardians. It promised to work with caregivers to checkmate the ugly trend. In addition, she called for a full-scale war against drug abuse among the youth, saying such a campaign was imperative and long overdue.
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