Human Rights, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Women, Children and the Law, Health Law, Peace & Conflict Resolution.
Other Professional & Work Experience:
1. United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children (August 1, 2008 to July 31st 2014). See p. 12 for further details.
2. Member, Board of Trustees, UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking Appointed by the UN Secretary General December 2013 to December 2016.
3. Member, Governing Council, the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), from Sept. 2012 to date.
4. Coordinator, Law Clinic, 2011 to date, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
5. August 1, 2009 to July 31st 2011, Head of Department, Department of Public & Private Law, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. Specific tasks include: Personnel (academic and non-academic) and material management; Departmental Committee oversight; Admission and Examinations; Matters Academic /Non Academic staff Appraisals; Financial resource management; and Student advising and placement.
6. 2003-2004: Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Gender and Social Development, Enugu State. Political head of the Ministry with over 240 staff and also a member of the State Executive Council. In general responsibilities included: policy formulation, administration of the ministry, staff management & other assigned task by the Governor. As the honorable commission I revamped and repositioned the Ministry and took staff through strategic planning process and came up with 80 paged Strategic Plan of Action 2004-2007 to address the status of women, children and persons with disabilities, including widows, which was widely received and adopted by the State Government. Other accomplishments include: drafting of adoption law; rural sensitization tour to communities and local government areas of Enugu State; renovation and re-organization of rehabilitation facilities under the Ministry; capacity building on micro projects, publication of the Widowhood Law and translation to local language as well as design and production of IEC materials to provide information to help stop the practices.
7. Member the Governing Council of the Citizens’ Rights and Mediation Center Enugu, Ministry of Justice, Enugu State 2004- 2007.
8. Federal Delegate, representing Women Group, South East at the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC) February 21st to June 21st 2005. This was a special national conference convened by the then President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to engage in Constitutional and Governance Reforms and chat a new path for sustainable democracy and development in Nigeria.
9. Served as Chairperson of a Committee to draft a bill on Elimination of Violence in Society set up by the then Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief BayoOjo, SAN, September 2005 to December, 2005. This bill has been transformed with contributions of CSOs and gender focused organizations to Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill presently before the National Assembly for passage.
10. Member, International Litigation, Advisory Committee, Center for Reproductive Rights, New York, USA, 2003 to 2006.
11. Member of the National Advisory Board, Institute for Governance and Development, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State 2001-2003.
12. Founding Director, Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), 1997, a registered charity and non-governmental organization (RC: 388132) dedicated to promoting and protecting the human rights of women and young people. WACOL is in consultative status with both United Nations and the African Union Commission on Human Rights. As a director at WACOL, I have designed and implemented major projects in partnership and with funding support from major international organizations including UN Agencies and Independent and bilateral donors such as the UN-Women, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNTFVT, Joint Donor Basket Fund comprising of (EU, DFID, CIDA, KOICA and DGD/UNDP), Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), World Justice Project (WJP), USA, Department for International Development (DfiD), UK, US Embassy, Lagos, USAID/OTI, British High Commission, Abuja, Global Funds for Women, California, USA, Justice for All (J4A)/DFID, British Council, European Union, PATHS, Heinrich Boll Foundation, Swedish NGO Foundation for Human Rights etc. WACOL in general works in four thematic areas namely; gender/human rights, peace advocacy/conflict resolution, democracy/good governance and reproductive health /rights. Its mission is to assist in the education, social, economic and political development of women and young people through a wide range of services: training, research, advocacy, shelter, free legal and financial aid, intra-familial conflict resolution, and information and library services. Given its observer status with both the UN and African Union, WACOL engages in international and regional advocacy for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
13. Member African Advisory Group, Ethical Globalization Initiative (EGI) (Mary Robinson) New York, USA, 2003-2006.
14. Patron University of Nigeria Students Bar Association, UNEC from 2008 to date.
15. Member, Pro Bono Executive Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA) October, 2006- 2007.
16. Founding Coordinator, Women in Nigeria Enugu State and National Public Relation Secretary WIN- (1996 to 2000).
17. Publicity Secretary FIDA Anambra (Now Enugu and Anambra States 1993 to 1996).
18. Youth Service Tutor in the University of Nigeria. Teaching assistants handling tutorial classes in Criminal Law, Evidence and Company Law (1992 Dec to Nov. 1993).
19. Legal Practice (1992- 1995): Associate in the Law Firm of G.C. Amuzie& Associate (Legal Practitioners)Duties: Legal research, Opinion writing, Drafting and Vetting Documents, General Solicitors Work, Case Management and representing Clients in Court.
20. Internship training at the United Nation Centre for Human Rights Office of High Commissioner Geneva, July 28th to August 9, 1997.
21. Internship with Human Rights Watch/Africa (London Office), September to December, 1996. For the Internship training, I worked in the following countries: South Africa, Nigeria, and Burma/Myamar. Projects handled include Review of prevention of Family Violence Act for South African Law Commissions. Review of draft report on Violations of Women’s Rights in Nigeria; writing the Nigeria Chapter for inclusion in HRW’s annual world Report; Preparing information on working countries for submission to various UN Special Rapporteurs, answering queries from the Committee on the Rights of the Child on Burma’s Law that are in conflict with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).
Learned Society & Professional Associations:
Learned Society
Nigerian Bar Association since 1992.
Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, since 1993.
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), since 1993.
African Society on International and Comparative Law, UK since 1995.
African Association of Women Scholars, since 1998.
International Bar Association (IBA), since 2003.
International Society of Law and Medicine, since 2002.
12. Grants and Fellowships:
Oct.2001 –Nov. 2002 Regents Professor, University of California, Riverside
Nov. 2001 International Visitors Fellowship Award given by the African Scholars Association (ASA) USA.
1998 – 2000 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Grantee - Funds for Leadership Development.
Sept. – Dec. 1999 Humanities Research Institute (HRI) fellow in residence, University of California, Irvine, USA.
1995 – 1996 British Chevening Scholar, Foreign and Commonwealth Scholarship, UK.
13. Awards and Honours:
1. National Honours Award, Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Investiture was done on 21st December, 2006 by the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR).
2. An International Peace Service Award 2006 by the African Center for Peace & Conflict Resolution, California State University, Sacramento(CSUS), 29th April 2006.
3. Woman of Honour Award by the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Nigeria in recognition of her selfless service to womanhood and the entire nation 23rd July 2005.
4. Community Service Award by Rotaract Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) 17th November, 2000.
5. International Visitors Award given by the African Scholars Association (ASA) USA November, 2001.
6. Outstanding Performance Award given by Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria 26th October 2001.
7. Women in Nigeria (WIN) Merit Award, November 18th, 2001.
8. Award of Excellence in Community Service by Rotary Club of Enugu Municipal R. I. District 9140, 2002.
9. Conferment of Chieftaincy Title by His Royal Highness Igwe G. N. Ekoh the traditional ruler of Ihe Community in Awgu L.G.A., Enugu State as the “Ada EjiEjeMba 1of Ihe” (Our Daughter Ambassador) on 10th May, 2003.
10. Conferment of Chieftaincy Title by His Royal Highness Igwe Julius Nnaji, the traditional ruler of Nike, Enugu State as the “Ochendo” (Defender of the vulnerable), February 28, 2004.
11. UNEC Post’s Sterling Leadership Award by the Editorial Board of the Students Union Government, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus on February 6, 2004.
12. FESLAW Sterling Leadership Award for Motivational Leadership by Forum for Enugu State Law Student, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus on February 27, 2004.
13. Merit Award by Betchef for Immense Contributions to Betchef and to Humanity on March 10, 2004.
14. Award of Excellence by Committee of Friends in Enugu, March 27th 2004.
15. Award of Excellence by the Board of Directors, Women’s Aid Collective, March 27th 2004.
16. Supporter of Humanity Award by Joint Action for the Betterment for Childless Women (JABCW), on April 3, 2004.
17. Humanity Service Certificate Award for Development and Growth of SWEWP by the Society for the Welfare of Women Prisoners (SWEWP) on May 20, 2004.
18. International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2004 Award for Contribution and the Fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria on May 16, 2004.
19. Award of Excellence by the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Enugu state chapter on 2nd December 2003.
20. Achievement Award by Soroptimist International Asaba on July 10, 2004.
21. Centennial Community Service Award In Recognition of Untiring Efforts as a Human Rights Activist given by The Rotary Club of Enugu Municipal R. I. 9140 on 23rd July 2004.
22. Honour Award in recognition of being the First Commissioner in the History of ImeziOwaEzeagu LGA presented 24th July 2004.
23. Centennial Vocational Service Award by the Rotary Club of Enugu South, R. I. District 9140 on 6th August 2004.
24. Meritorious Recognition by the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Enugu Zone on the 27th November, 2004 at the Federation Hall, Hotel Presidential, Enugu.
25. Vocational Award in Recognition of High Ethical Standards & Outstanding Professional Achievements by the Rotary International District 9130 Nigeria, Abuja. Award bestowed on 21st October 2005 Beach Confluence Hotel, Lokoja, Kogi State.
26. Merit Award by the Law Students Association of Nigeria in recognition of contributions “Towards the Sustenance of Democracy, Human Development & the Rule of Law in Nigeria” 25th November 2005.
27. Award of Excellence in Recognition of Women Emancipation by the National Association of Women Journalists. Investiture held, 20th May 2006 at the Roban Hotel Independence Layout, Enugu.
28. NneEzeaguJiEjeMba (Nne- Eze) Title Confered on 5th November, 2006 at Recreation Club Ogui Road Enugu by HRH Igwe Patrick Ifo ( Igwe of ObeleaguUmana) Ezeagu LGA in Commemoration of Nneka Women Association of Ezeagu Silver Jubilee.
29. Honorary Merit Award of “NneEjiEjeMba” in Appreciation and recognition of services to Catholic Women Organization St Patrick’s Parish, OgwofiaOwa, Ezeagu LGA given on 31st December, 2006.
30. Honorary Chieftaincy Title “ Nneoma – Chinyelu- Eze” (22nd February 2007) Awarded by His Royal Highness Igwe J. O. Chibuko (JP), The EzeIgwe ‘ Mba” of UmumbaNdiagu, 1st Deputy Chairman Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council Ozo- Echi- Amuli, Ochiogbanibo- Okpue- Kpukwesi.
31. Enugu Diocesan Catholic Men Organization (EDCMO) Merit Award- Daughter of Zion “ Ada Zion” Merit Award conferred by His Lordship Bishop A. O. Gbuji on 18th March, 2007 at Holy Ghost Diocesan Parish, Enugu.
32. Chieftaincy coronation as Nze Bu Na Chi by Imezi- Owa Community, Ezeagu LGA, 26th December, 2007.
14. Computer Skills: Excellent communication and ICT skills, including: Word processing, power point and excel, data processing and internet