Justice Victoria Okobi is a respected jurist, with experience as Social Development and Labour Officer with the Nigerian Civil Service. During her tenure as Nigeria’s representative to the United Nations on the Board of Trustees of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (IRTIAW), Nigeria ratified the United Nations Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, as well as on the rights of the child. In this interview, she told Senior Reporter ANTHONIA SOYINGBE, of her desire to continue playing active role in advocating the rights of women, children and the under-privileged, despite being in retirement, among other salient issues.
Okobi
What have you been doing since retirement?
When I voluntarily retired from the civil service, I was appointed a Judge of National Industrial Court in 2000 I retired in 2010, according to the statutory regulation. Since then, I have been resting and looking after my grandchildren. I also enjoy doing voluntary work now. We still need to create awareness and by doing so, we are educating people. It is very important that we discuss and rub minds.
Will you compare your experience growing up to what is obtainable now?
Our growing up was very challenging unlike what they have and do now. It is also a little bit more joyful and interesting. Growing up under the extended family system, there was lot of joy and love. Many do not even have time for relaxation now, but thank God for social media, which makes it easier for people to relate now. During our time, we related on human-to-human basis. We grew up with love and human interaction.
How were your days in active service and at the same time raising your children?
It wasn’t very easy, but not difficult, because then we had very understanding extended family system where family members visit you. Today, it is a little bit difficult for young mothers, because, they no longer enjoy that system. Most grandmothers now spend more time with their grandchildren.
What were some of your guiding principles while you were on the Bench?
As a social worker, who has always believed in advocacy, equity, fairness and justice, my driving force when I was in court was based on these principles. I ensured that justice was done as soon as possible. For me, it was a very fulfilling time. I enjoyed a very good relationship with my colleagues, because, we worked as a team most of the time. Labour issues are not criminal issues. So, they were not really technical. We did a lot of social service, understanding and service for humanity to carry out justice in industrial courts.
Is the Nigerian justice system really fair and just?
Law and justice are very complicated matter. Justice is not as easy and straightforward as lay people may think. Most of the judges follow the law. The judges did not make the law. All they do is execute the law. Their job is to implement and execute the law. Nothing is ever perfect becouse there are human elements involved in whatever you do. Your interpretation may be different from somebody else’s interpretation. But, in your own conscience you may feel that you have done the right thing.
Can you tell us some of the highpoints of your career?
It was when I represented Nigeria in the United Nation forum, being party to all the conventions and everything about women; and attending all the world conferences. I was the first Nigerian to be appointed to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research for the Advancement of Women. I was on the Advisory Board for eight years. What we did was to come up with programmes, strategies for the improvement of women. I am very happy about it, because, I was part of the team that midwifed the Ministry of Women Affairs. I retired after achieving that feat. It was something we started in 1972 before the Women Commission and the Ministry came into existence. I thanked God and I bowed out meritoriously. It was very challenging, but I am happy I was one of those that appointed the first female Permanent Secretary in the person of Mrs. Francesca Emmanuel. I am happy, because the awareness we created then is bearing fruits now. Women are doing very well in every sphere of life now and I am happy that they world has realised that there cannot be development with over half of the population kept behind. These are the women that nurtured the men. Women have lots of potentials if only they can be given the opportunity to bring out their potentials.
How best do you think the girl-child can be encouraged to achieve her full potential, especially in area of education?
We are making progress and, don’t forget our mothers didn’t have the opportunity we have today. Then, they believed that the woman’s place was in the kitchen and in the bedroom. To me, it is not as if there is anything wrong with that notion if only they believe that it is a big work itself. But, they often think it is a mere tea party. To me, a housewife is a professional, because, if you do that job well, you are raising the future generation. We have gone a long way and I am very sure things can only get better. We are doing well; but, we just have to do more. By law, there is no discrimination against a girl-child. So, every girl-child has the right to be educated. The bottom line is that we should empower our women so we can have a better society. This issue is tied to many things including economy.
Why did you choose law?
Law chose me, because, according to the Industrial Court law, all the judges are not meant to be lawyers and I am not a lawyer.
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