By Stephen Adeleye

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Kogi state branch, has strongly condemned in its entirety the abuse of fundamental human rights of woman in a viral video trending on social media.

The FIDA Chairperson in Kogi, Lilian Okolo, condemned the act in a press statement made available to journalists on Thursday in Lokoja.

A middle-aged man simply identified as Mallam Tijani, a resident of Oziokutu, Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State was seen in the viral video tearing his wife’s clothes after an altercation between the couple.

Okolo said that FIDA Kogi branch had taken cognisance of a viral video trending on social media which originated from Ogaminana in Adavi Local Government of Kogi State.

”We are appalled at the spate of abuse of fundamental human rights of the woman in question and we want a redress of same.

”We call on the Divisional Police Officer in the location to put hands on deck to forestall this acts of impunity

”We also thank the Chairman of Adavi Local Government who has ensured the man in question apologized to his wife publicly for his unruly behaviour.

”We will keep following up on this case and we believe the outcome will serve as a deterrent to others”, Okolo said.

She, however appealed to the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, whom she described as a gender sensitive, to assent to the VAPP Bill in Kogi, to ensure that commensurate justice is done in violence against persons.

She stressed the commitment of FIDA Kogi to continue to embark on sensitisation and awareness campaign on curbing any form of violence and sextual harassment against women and children.

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The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kogi State chapter, has renovated a maternity ward as supported ward and donated medical consumables to Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja.

The Chairperson of FIDA in Kogi, Barr. Lilian Ajuma Okolo, disclosed this at the commissioning of the renovated maternity ward in KSSH, as part of activities to celebrate the 2021 Internatonal Women Day (IWD).

She noted that the commissioning of the maternity ward by FIDA, was to commemorate this year women’s day, and to celebrate women and mothers.

She explained that the rehabilitation of the ward at the state hospital, was the brain child of FIDA with the support of Mrs Mary Titilayo Eboh, a Philantropist and Matron of FIDA.

Okolo added that with the assistance of the Matron, FIDA was also able to renovate electrical fittings, donate chairs and other maternity essentials and consumables to the hospital.

Okolo explained that the importance of IWD cannot be over emphasised, stressing that in spite of the potentials of women in the society, they have continued to face series of challenges ranging from sexual harassment, violence, oppression and stigmatisation.

She, therefore urged the State House of Assembly to expidite action to pass into law the Violence against Person Prohibition bill.

According to her, the violence against person prohibition bill is currently at its committee stage in Kogi House of Assembly, and there is need to replicate the law in State as matter of urgency.

She stressed that this became imperatives as a result of numerous challenges facing womenfolks in the society especially the indigent and vulnerable women.

“Going by the words of Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and first woman nominated for U.S. President by a major political party, who said “We need to understand that there is no formula for how women should lead their lives.

”That is why we must respect the choices that each woman makes for herself and her family.

”Every woman deserves the chance to realize her God-given potential”.

”It is against this backdrop that the 2021 international women day according to many Nigerians, is apt in views of the current COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world today”, she said.

Okolo, therefore urged women in the country to challenge all forms of inequality and discrimination.

Also speaking; the Director General Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizen’s Rights Commission (PDCRC), Barr. Zakari Abdullahi, urged women to stand out and fight for their right.

Zakari noted that women over the years had suffered series of deprivations, stressing that the 35 per cent affirmation was far from being achieved by successive government in the country.

On her part, Barr. Tina Tims Ejiga, FIDA Coordinator North Central Zone, and past Chairperson in Kogi, described the 2021 IWD celebration as quite challenging, but commended the government for always supporting FIDA’s programs and activities.

‘According to her, it is important to note that all nations that have achieved it pick globally, get there through the immense contributions of women whose efforts to nation building cannot be quantified.

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Lokoja, Nov. 9, 2020

Women across the country have been urged to speak out against sexual and physical violence as they were not created to be brutalized, violated or treated less as human being.

Hon. (Mrs) Safiya Aliyu, the President, Upper Area Court II Lokoja, gave the advice in a paper he presented at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kogi chapter in Lokoja on Monday.

The theme for the FIDA AGM is: ”Confronting Sexual And Physical Violence Against Women And Children: We Can Do Better”.

Aliyu defined Physical violence or abuse as any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person or animal by way of bodily contact, while Sexual violence is any sexual act or attempt to obtain a sexual act by violence or coercion, act to traffic a person or acts directed against a person’s sexuality, regardless of the relationship to the victim.

She stressed that sexual and physical violence were forms of gender based violence; a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality and continued to be one of the most notable Human Rights.
She, however, advised wonen to be careful not to trigger violence, at home, in school or work place, but to be peace makers and study the mood of their husbands, colleagues, bosses, acquaintances and others.

She further urged them to avoid saying the wrong word at the wrong time, and should not destroy their husbands or children for selfish reasons by peddling destructive falsehood against them.

Aliyu stressed that the society could do better in confronting sexual and physical violence against women and children by improving Justice System, education, encourage decent dressing, and parents should instill the fear of God in their children from childhood.

”In conclusion, the time has come for women to speak out against sexual and physical violence. We have FIDA to fight our cause, not just in Kogi State, but all over the world. Women are created to be loved and treated with respect.

”We are not created to be brutalized, violated, downtrodden or treated less a human being. Today more than ever before, we say no to sexual and physical violence”, she said.

She enjoined all stakeholders to join hands in speaking up against and preventing sexual and physical violence against women and children.

Also in his lecture, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, the Director General, Office of the Public Defender and Citizens Rights Commission (PDCRC), blamed women oppression on patriarchy.

Zakari equally opined that women empowerment would reduce violence against women and their children.

The key notes address at the occasion was delivered by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ibrahim Sanni Muhammed SAN.

Earlier, the Chairperson of FIDA in Kogi, Ajuma Lilian Okolo, noted that the speakers at the occasion were carefully selected for their ability to effectively deal with the topic.

According to her, the AGM’s theme is very apt as it is germane to us as women and as women lawyers whose most potent weapon for the protection of women and children are legislations.

Ajuma solicited for the continued support of the relevant stakeholders to make the women federation more productive in promoting their objectives, while thanking all FIDANS who volunteered to work towards the success of this AGM.

The highlight of the programme is the official naming of FIDA Kogi patrons.

The Acting Chief Judge of Kogi State, Hon. Justice Henry Olusiyi, was decorated as the Grand Patron, while the AG and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Mohammed SAN; and tge DG of PDCRC, Barr. Zakari were both decorated as patrons.

The Chief Judge, who responded on behalf of the recipients, pledged his continued support in whatever way possible for FIDA in Kogi.

Also in attendance at the occasion were the Grand Khadi, Justice Abdulkarim A.Aruwa, President Customary Court, Judges of High Court, Solicitor General, and Senior members of the Bar, among others.
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