The Chairman of the National Welfare Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Y. C. Maikyau, SAN has celebrated the first female Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Nigeria, late Ayodele Uzoamaka Onejeme.
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Maikyau, in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, hailed Onejeme for being excellent, humble and diligent while serving as a judge of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
He said, “Today, as we continue the celebration of Women’s History Month, I celebrate the life and career of another woman of several “firsts” – Victoria Ayodele Uzoamaka Onejeme, the first female to serve as an Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Nigeria.
“Victoria Ayodele Uzoamaka Onejeme was born on 22 November, 1930, a native of Awka in Anambra State. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1965. She made history in 1976 when she was appointed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of old Anambra State – the first female to ever hold such office in the entire country. In 1984, she made history yet again when she became the pioneer judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. Justice Onejeme was also the first female of the South-East extraction to be appointed a judge in Nigeria.
Her work as the pioneer judge of the Federal Capital Territory was highly characterised by courage, diligence, humility and excellence. Amongst her colleagues, she was seen and celebrated as a worthy judge who was bold, courageous and incorruptible, serving humanity with her all. Her strength of character was contagious as she had a positive influence on her colleagues, both at the Bar and at the Bench; many were influenced by her to strive to keep the sanctity of the profession.”
The learned silk also described late Hon. Justice Onejeme as a shining light and a credible example of women who shatter the glass ceiling to excel in professions that were heretofore dominated by men.
“Justice Onejeme, who broke barriers in the legal profession died on 27 April, 2017, she was 86 years at the time of her death. The Chief Judge of FCT, Justice Ishaq Bello, during the valedictory court session held in her honour, said of her: ‘she was very diligent, that is why with every sense of humility; we shall name one of the courts after her. By so doing, we hope that generations to come will know that indeed an amazon once lived and worked here’ . He further indicated that the FCT jurisdiction bears eloquent testimonies of His Lordship’s contributions and noted that her work cannot be forgotten in a hurry.
“Justice Onejeme, by accomplishing the above feats, made herself a shining light and a credible example of women who shatter the glass ceiling to excel in professions that were heretofore dominated by men.” Maikyau, said.
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