Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has assured the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) of the state government’s support to enable them render their services to the vulnerable in the society.
He gave the assurance when he received in audience, FIDA Executives who paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday, in the Government House, Enugu.
Ugwuanyi, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, said that FIDA plays very important roles, even in the fight for gender equality, and others, “I know FIDA plays a very important role”.
He promised the group of the state government’s support.
“I want to use this medium to promise you that Enugu State Government will do all within its powers,” he said.
Earlier, the chairperson of FIDA, Enugu state chapter, Cecilia Onyia, told the governor that FIDA is an international Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO),with the mandate to “promote, protect and preserve the legal Rights of the vulnerable group, the women and the children and by extension, family and the entire society.
“Your Excellency, we do this by means of legal counselling. A lot of our women undergo violence and so many denials. Some are thrown out of their families and we bring justice to the doorsteps of these people”.
She said the Association has many challenges and appealed to the State government for assistance.
The chairperson said they needed , “a befitting office and an operational bus “, for them to be able to move into the interiors and the urban areas .
In her brief remarks, the Regional Coordinator(national),and former chairperson of Anambra State chapter of FIDA, Margret Nwagbo, thanked Ugwuanyi for granting them audience.
She said: “There are so many women and children in need of Legal Aid. They need a roof over their heads. We help the poor, the needy, the voiceless, there are so many who cannot afford it, we give them legal aid”.
On her part, a High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Angela Anidi, mentioned some roles of FIDA which includes going to the communities to sensitize women on their Rights and on the issue of divorce .She said,” They need support.. they do a lot of works in the society”, Justice Anidi appealed.
