Themed “Stand Out, Stand Tall: Building Resilience for Excellence; Effective Implementation of Gender Parity and Protection of the Nigerian Child,” the event brought together distinguished legal minds, lawmakers, academics, and advocates who spoke passionately on the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers facing women and children in Nigeria.
The program opened at 11:50 a.m. with the rendition of the Nigerian National Anthem, FIDA Nigeria Anthem, and the Women’s Anthem, followed by a welcome address from the Chairperson of FIDA Nigeria, Enugu State Branch.
Goodwill Address
Delivering her goodwill message, the Country Vice President (CVP) of FIDA Nigeria, Mrs. Eliana Martins, expressed gratitude to the Local Organizing Committee and emphasized the timeliness of the theme. She noted that FIDA’s core values remain the driving force behind its advocacy for women’s inclusion in governance.
“To stand tall and stand out is to rise above mediocrity. Standing tall is not about physical height but about courage, resilience, and distinction. Even in the face of challenges, truth and resilience must remain our anchor,” Martins said.
A short video on FIDA’s zonal impact was screened before the day’s main session commenced.
Panel Session
The interactive panel session, moderated by Prof. Felicia, featured three seasoned voices on gender and child rights advocacy:
- Senator Biodun Olujimi (standing in for Prof. Adejoke Layi-Babatunde), a veteran legislator and women’s rights champion.
- Prof. Machebe Victor, a constitutional law expert and leading gender policy analyst.
- Mrs. Chisom Sam-Igbokwe, a lawyer and frontline advocate for child rights protection.
Key Contributions from the Panel
Senator Biodun Olujimi (for Prof. Adejoke Layi-Babatunde):
In her remarks, she reminded participants that:
“FIDA is not merely an NGO, but a movement.”
Senator Olujimi reflected on her legislative journey, particularly her role in sponsoring the Reserved Seat Bill for women in parliament, which scaled the second reading but was ultimately unsuccessful. She urged FIDA to champion the revival of such bills and to build stronger partnerships with cultural and political actors.
She stressed that protecting Nigerian children was “not optional, but a constitutional and moral duty.”
Prof. Machebe Victor:
Prof. Victor provided a sobering analysis of women’s under-representation in governance. Citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he decried the fact that only 4 women currently serve in the Senate and 16 in the House of Representatives, out of a combined 987 parliamentary seats nationwide.
He listed patriarchy, corruption, poverty, and conservative religious beliefs as key obstacles and recommended a multi-pronged approach:
- Legislative reform
- Strong advocacy
- Judicial intervention
- Strengthened grassroots participation
- Women supporting women
“Gender parity is not a gift but a right guaranteed by the Constitution. Until Nigeria reforms its laws and dismantles discriminatory structures, our democracy will remain incomplete,” he said.
Mrs. Chisom Sam-Igbokwe:
Speaking on the Child Rights Act (CRA), Sam-Igbokwe underlined that “children’s rights are human rights.” She recalled historic milestones such as Mary Slessor’s campaign against the killing of twins to illustrate how far Nigeria has come in child protection, yet warned that gaps remain.
She noted that children constitute nearly 50% of Nigeria’s population, making their protection central to national development.
Her key recommendation was that the study of children’s rights should be made compulsory in Nigerian universities rather than an elective course.
Conclusion and Closing
The panel session was followed by a lively question-and-answer interaction, where participants emphasized the need for stronger legislative reforms, inclusive advocacy, and collaboration across sectors to promote gender parity and secure the rights of Nigerian children.
Gifts were presented to the panelists and moderator, before the 2nd NBA Vice President, Mrs. Garaba, delivered the closing remarks. The program ended promptly at 2:29 p.m.
Profiles of Key Panelists
Senator Biodun Olujimi: A seasoned legislator and women’s rights advocate, Senator Olujimi has served multiple terms in the Nigerian Senate. She is a strong voice for affirmative action and was a key sponsor of the Reserved Seat Bill for women in politics.
Prof. Machebe Victor: A constitutional law expert, researcher, and gender policy advisor. Prof. Victor has published widely on democracy, governance, and women’s political participation in Nigeria.
Mrs. Chisom Sam-Igbokwe: A respected child rights advocate and lawyer, she has led campaigns for the implementation of the Child Rights Act and works extensively on grassroots empowerment for vulnerable children.
Signed:
FIDA Nigeria Publicity Secretary
Chineze Obianyo
Read More:
Disturbing Surge in Domestic Violence: A Call to Action
More Photos:
