Oh No! Abuja Branch Chairperson Of Nigerian Bar Association, Shekarau Is Dead

Dr. Hauwa Shekarau, the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja branch, is dead.

Her death was announced in a statement titled, ‘Notice of the demise of our chairman, Dr. Hauwa E. Shekarau,’ issued by the Secretary of NBA, Abuja branch, Prince Adetosoye, on Wednesday.

“It is with a sad heart and the highest sense of loss that I announce the death of our chairman, who passed away this morning, 15 September, 2021 after a brief illness.

“I will give further details as to the arrangements and burial plans later,” he stated.

Hauwa was a distinguished Chevening Alumnus, a gender advocate, human rights activist, a professional mediator and a conciliator. 

She was also a lawyer with over 25 years’ post-call experience in women and child rights policy and advocacy, conflict resolution, social research, sexual and reproductive health and rights. 

The graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria was the National President of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) between 2012 and 2015, where she was responsible for providing leadership for the professional organisation which has state branches spread all over Nigeria. 

FIDA is a not-for-profit organisation of women lawyers committed to the promotion, protection and preservation of women and children’s rights, through the provision of pro bono legal services. 

She served as a board member of several NGOs including ActionAid International Nigeria and Nigeria Women Trust Fund. She also served on the Board of several other NGOs including the League for Human Rights, El-Shaddai Widows Outreach. She was a pioneer participant of the British Council-funded InterAction Leadership Programme in 2005 and the US State Department/Fortune 500 companies funded International Women Leaders’ Mentoring Programme in 2006 and was a Vital Voices Fellow.