From IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
The Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. ( Mrs) Maria Omozele Oligbi-Edeko has called on the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), a non-governmental organization to work together for the unity, peace and development of FIDA.
Edeko, representing the people of Esan North-East constituency 11, made the call when the Edo chapter of FIDA visited her in Benin said the collective interest of FIDA must always take precedence over every other interest.
It will be recalled that Edeko was the penultimate chairperson of the Organization in the state.The Deputy Speaker who welcomed FIDA members to her office, stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence.
She urged FIDA Edo members to shun bickering, malice and stop maligning each other adding that, holding grudges and maligning one another would bring the organization down.I want to use this opportunity to call on our members to stop the bickering and be united. If you are united, FIDA Edo will go places.
” I know that there is no administration where you don’t have opposition but we must stop the opposition, stop the malice, stop taking sides with the wrong things. Focus on FIDA Nigeria’s mission which is to promote, protect and preserve the rights, interests and well-being of women and children through the use of legal framework to ensure that they live free from all forms of discrimination, violence and abuse in the society.
“Let’s all support the current EXCO of FIDA Edo, so that we can have a formidable FIDA in the state. No system can survive when you bring mediocrity to play, only excellence and unity can make this body go far. As being a member of FIDA is a huge sacrifice, it is not a profit making organization. Nobody pays us for the services we render. Only God rewards us.
“FIDA is like a ministry of Christ because you care for the vulnerable persons, the less privileged and people living with disabilities in the society. So I encourage you all to keep up the good work.
She said, I want to see a united FIDA Edo from now on, where we will be united in sisterhood and supporting each other when the need arises. So, go on membership drive and ensure that you bring all the non active members back on board.
Edeko also harped on the need for the women lawyers to take litigation seriously by engaging in pro bono cases to make them more visible in public space.
“She further said, My work during my tenure as chairperson of FIDA Edo brought me to limelight and am grateful to FIDA. They identified my talent and when they needed someone to sanitize the ministry of women and social development as it was then called, I was appointed as the commissioner.
So I got compensation for the selfless services in FIDA Edo. Never you do FIDA with kid gloves, take the job seriously. FIDA Edo has always been the best.,” She added.
According to her, I am very happy about the topic you chose for the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) holding in Benin. I will give my financial support and also help source for sponsorship as much as I can to make the event a success.
The deputy Speaker while eulogizing the women lawyers one after the other, described them as unassuming even with their status in the society.
Earlier, the Chairperson of FIDA Edo, Barr. Violet Olumese Esq. said they were in the assembly complex to first of all congratulate the deputy Speaker on her emergence as the second female deputy Speaker of the state assembly . We are here to congratulate you on the laudable feat.we are more proud because you are a FIDAN.
“You are one chairperson who left office and still find time to check on how FIDA Edo is doing, you are never ashamed or too tired to identify with us even with your very busy schedule. We are proud of you.
We are here to appreciate you for being a faithful, committed and passionate FIDAN and a woman that cares for the welfare of women and children.
According to her, you don’t just say it, you act it, you do it and we see it. Thank you for all you do to ensure that the rights of women, children and the less privileged are protected. The visit was also to inform the deputy Speaker of FIDA Nigeria AGM conference holding in Benin City between the 22nd and 25th of November, 2023.