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Tag: Rivers

  • Rivers Shines at Notting Hill Carnival

    Rivers Shines at Notting Hill Carnival

    Arguably the most colourful and largest street festival in Europe, the annual Notting Hill Carnival which originated in 1964 as a platform for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own culture and traditions, again lit up the streets of London on August 26.

    It was a headline event that made the city of London agog to the admiration of residents and tourists from across the world. The carnival, which is an amazing array of sounds, colourful sights and social solidarity, featured exceptional displays from people of diverse culture and nationalities, including numerous tourists from Nigeria.

    In furtherance of the strategic positioning of the state as a preferred destination for business and leisure, Rivers State was again on parade at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival with eminent personalities, including top government officials and indigenes of the state adorning the rich costumes of Rivers people. The state cultural ambassadors were at the event under the auspices of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), the agency responsible for marketing the internationally acclaimed Port Harcourt Carnival (CARNIRIV) brand.

    On duty to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of Rivers people were the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Nnabuihe Imegwu; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Gogo Levi Charles; Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr. Iboroma Harry; Chairman, Okrika Local Government, Barrister Tamuno Williams; Chairman, RSTDA, Deacon Vincent Erinwa; Director – General, Dr. Sam Dede, and board members, including Chief John Yowika, Mr. Charles Awortu and Mr. Joseph Ewuse. There were also prominent Nollywood stars of the state origin.

    During the carnival, the Rivers contingent was a cynosure of all eyes as they paraded the streets of London in exquisite costumes and colours that served the world a foretaste of what to experience at this year’s Port Harcourt Carnival, holding in December. Their costumes stood out and attracted the attention of many Nigerians in the Diaspora, Jamaicans, Brazilians and people of other nationalities.

    While in London, the contingent was first hosted to a cultural reception at the prestigious African Centre in London. During the reception, they put the best of Rivers culture on display with a spectacular float and rich cultural display.

    In a welcome address, Executive Director, Zmirage UK, Shabaka Thompson, said: “It is a privileged position for Rivers State to be part of the Notting Hill Carnival again this year, thereby becoming a prominent Nigerian state to make a distinctive cultural intrusion onto the world stage with the Notting Hill Carnival to showcase an authentic African cultural brand called CARNIRIV.”

    Speaking further on the initiative, the former CEO of the Notting Hill Carnival said the move by Rivers State was both timely and strategic ‘‘because the CARNIRIV is bringing something unique to the world and also something authentically African and creative.’’ He described himself as “an adopted Port Harcourt boy’’, noting that following his invitation to the CARNIRIV in 2010, he was able to reconnect with his roots. He said the CARNIRIV is ‘‘one place you should be”.

    Shabaka said CARNIRIV publicity campaign materials for this year were already on buses plying the streets of London saying, “last year, we had a large contingent of tourists who visited Rivers State to attend the CARNIRIV and this year, we hope to increase the number, considering the wider impact of the publicity campaign being driven in both the traditional media and the social media from here and Nigeria respectively”.

    He further disclosed that Rivers State was the first Nigerian state to introduce the Afrobeat genre of music to the Notting Hill Carnival musical tradition as opposed to the calypso type of music the carnival had always run on.

    ‘‘This is a significant achievement, considering the warm embrace Afrobeat has received, therefore, drawing more attention to the music’s country of origin and the personality of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo’’,he said.

    Dr. Imeagwu, while corroborating Shabaka, applauded the decision by his ministry and RSTDA to leverage the Notting Hill Carnival for the global marketing of the rich culture of Rivers people as well as reinforcing the strength of the black race.

    “The essence of being here is to hedge deeper into the platform that has already been established by the Caribbeans and to exemplify what other African states ought to be doing to improve the perception of Africa and African culture. It is also aimed at emphasising the conviviality of our people and our values”, he stated.

    Imeagwu added that this year’s edition of the CARNIRIV would be used to wrap up the celebration of the centenary anniversary of the city of Port Harcourt, saying: “I have been specifically asked by our governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, to invite you to be part of this epoch-making event. Please be assured that should you decide and plan to attend, the Rivers State Government will throw down the red carpet to receive you to experience Destination Rivers in a spectacular way.”

    In her goodwill message at the event, Sally Sturgeon, Director of the People’s World Carnival, CARNIRIV’s partner troupe at the Notting Hill Carnival, said: “We are happy to be partnering the CARNIRIV, bringing a carnival of the people of Rivers State on the world stage. This is a fulfilment of our vision. We are indeed a people’s world carnival group and we are delighted at every opportunity to showcase cultural diversity to the world.”

     

  • Rivers PDP blasts Amaechi over allegiance

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has taken a swipe at Governor Rotimi Amaechi on his support for the breakaway faction of the party.

    The party in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the state Chairman, Jerry Needam, said open declaration and support for those that never wish the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan well has left no one in doubt as to his real interest and purpose.

    On the declaration of support of Magnus Abe, Wisdom Ake, Dakuku Peterside, Leyii Kwanee for the purported factional PDP, the party berated the lawmakers for following Amaechi.

    The party regrets that these lawmakers could be easily swayed like a pack of cards against the collective will of the state to satisfy the whims and caprices of their boss.

     

  • How to resolve Rivers crisis, by PDP Senator

    How to resolve Rivers crisis, by PDP Senator

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Senator Wilson Ake, spoke with BISI OLANIYI in Port Harcourt on the way out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis in Rivers State.

     

    The National Assembly’s resolution that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, should be redeployed has been ignored by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar. What is your reaction?

    I do not know what the IGP means by asking Mbu to be professional in his duties. The National Assembly has taken a position. The Senate carried out investigation, to know what led to the crisis, before taking the position. Two heads are better than one. The Senate and the House of Representatives declared that the commissioner of police should give way, to ensure peace in Rivers State.

    If we desire peace in Rivers State, the first person to be sent away is Mbu, because his actions were very obvious and everybody saw that he was playing politics out of the whole thing.

    The National Assembly members are on long recess. By the time we come back, a decision will be taken on the issue, because we are the largest representatives of the people, who gather together in one place. If 439 persons took a decision, a reasonable person should look at it critically and in-depth. It is very unfortunate that the IGP is yet to redeploy Mbu.

    You cannot have somebody in appointed position being in contention with a popularly elected governor. Where the two of them cannot work, it becomes mandatory that the commissioner of police must go.

    The governor of a state, as the chief security officer, has the right to request for the change of a police commissioner. The governor has done that severally and other people have joined their voices to say so many times, insisting that Mbu must be redeployed.

    Is it not hasty for the National Assembly to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly?

    The action is not hasty. The impunity of the past should remain in the past. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides us with the opportunity to react the way we did, to save elected representatives in the state.

    The Senate sent a team to Rivers State to investigate the crisis. With what they saw, it was sufficient to take over the functions of the House of Assembly of 32 persons, with 27 of them indicating that the National Assembly should take over the functions of the House of Assembly, because of the huge risk involved in sitting. The five lawmakers (anti-Amaechi) insisted on sitting, while the 27 persons (pro-Amaechi) said they would not be able to sit. In democracy, you have to listen to the larger number of the people, who believe that it will be very dangerous for them to sit. Taking over the Rivers House of Assembly will save additional problems, by letting the tempers come down and people begin to talk to one another, for reason to prevail. It is not an indefinite take over.

    When are the members of the Rivers House of Assembly likely to sit?

    The moment peace is noticed in Rivers State, everybody will know. They will sit when police can provide adequate security for the whole members. We want a situation where the 27 lawmakers will not feel intimidated and the five legislators (anti-Amaechi) will not feel overwhelmed. We want them to go into the House of Assembly, as one body, representing the interest of Rivers State. For now, it is still unsafe to allow them to sit, which will amount to taking a big risk, because of the political crisis.

    How can the Rivers crisis be resolved?

    The crisis is because of political interest. All the grandstanding is for political relevance. Peace will definitely come. The only concern is that anybody who has gone too far, how does he retrace his steps? We must always put the interest of the state first, because the state is bigger than individuals.

    The Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, allegedly said he would make Rivers State ungovernable for Amaechi. How will you react to this statement?

    This is an unfortunate period in our lives, in the political history of Rivers State, that some of these things are happening. We are not proud of the crisis. Rivers State has civilised, well educated and well exposed people, but what is coming out of the state is shocking to many people.

    First, the comment by Obuah is unfortunate and condemnable. It is not an educated comment. It was made from an uninformed point of view. He should know that there is protocol and the protocol puts the governor ahead of other individuals in the state, whether he is suspended from the PDP or not. The governor remains the father of the state, whether anybody likes it or not.

    Anybody who is addressing the governor must know that he is addressing the political father of the state. If you are addressing him in any way short of it, shows that the person does not know where he stands.

    Obuah is disrespectful, not only to Governor Amaechi, but to the whole Rivers people. It is not an issue to be taken lightly or in a comic way. Governor Amaechi is the head of Rivers State. Desperation should not push you to regret many years later, your actions of today. Your children, too, will be shocked seeing the playback, that their dad spoke in a manner not expected of a public officer.

    It is sad that Wike could say he would make Rivers State ungovernable and life uncomfortable for Governor Amaechi. He should be called to order, he should stop the unguarded utterances, for peace to reign in Rivers State.

    Governor Amaechi and Chief Wike are both from Ikwerre,. Will it be ideal for another Ikwerre person to succeed him?

    I am not against Wike’s governorship ambition in 2015 or anybody showing interest in any position. There is no law against it. We only have moral and political understanding that allows people to indicate their interests, according to the dictates of the moment.

    If you are interested in a political office, you should not cause mayhem or problem for people, especially with Wike’s declaration that people will no longer be sleeping with their eyes closed. It is condemnable. When Amaechi was contesting, he was not the only person. People showed interest, but the understanding was there, like an unwritten rule, for positions to go elsewhere, not to be retained in the same place. All of us are reasonable about it, because we want peace in Rivers State. We want everybody to have a sense of belonging. That is why we feel that no matter how good you are, you should allow others to partake. Wike’s ambition is not wrong, but the way he is going about it is heating up the polity.

    How would you describe the roles of President Goodluck Jonathanin and his wife, Dame Patience, in the Rivers PDP crisis?

    If not that Dame Patience Jonathan stated that the problem with Governor Amaechi started four years ago, when they visited Okrika, I will not hang the problem of Rivers State on anybody. Individuals in Rivers State allowed themselves to be used.

    If they did not allow themselves to be used, all these things (crises) would not have happened. The President and his wife should show interest in what happens in Rivers State and how the problem can be solved. Not doing anything is not good enough, because if Rivers State boils, Bayelsa will be affected. If Bayelsa State boils, Rivers will be affected. Rivers and Bayelsa states were together in the old Rivers State. President Jonathan is a Rivers man. There should be peace in Rivers State, before going out to ensure peace elsewhere.

    What is your reaction to the fracas in the Rivers State House of Assembly?

    Bipi has no case whatsoever. Some of them are just instruments that people are using. The moment the people who are using them as instruments stop, they have no role to play. It is just unfortunate that some of them allow themselves to be used that way. Bipi is not the issue. The issues are the people who are the paymasters.

    There are people with major interests. Bipi has no role to play. Bipi is just talking for the sake of trying to prove that he can be speaker. He is ignorant. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is very clear on how a speaker can be impeached. How can five lawmakers, in a 32-member Assembly, impeach the speaker (Otelemaba Dan Amachree)?

    Is Governor Amaechi not being distracted by the crisis?

    The crisis is not distracting Governor Amaechi. It is exerting him more. He is putting in more man hours to his job, than what it used to be. In the thick of the crisis, he still sent the budget to the Rivers House of Assembly, after the five pro-Wike lawmakers took over the place. The 27 lawmakers still went back and sat.

    The interest of the opposition is to distract Governor Amaechi and to later use it against him, but he is surprisingly relaxed, doing his job.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Rivers flood victims await presidential touch

    Rivers flood victims await presidential touch

    It badly ravaged the four local government areas of Rivers State. To the thousands of families and individuals displaced by last year’s floods in Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Abua/Odual local government areas, they are eagerly awaiting presidential touch.

    They said they have not felt the touch of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR) headed by the business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and human rights activist, Olisa Agbakoba, which at a dinner organised to raise funds for those displaced by the last year’s flood across the country got pledges of N11.35 billion.

    Some of the victims, who were camped in various locations by the state government during the disaster have since December returned to what is left of their homes; others are now squatters with relatives following the winding up of the camps.

    From the accounts of some of the victims who spoke with Niger Delta Report at the various communities, it has been pain and sorrow.

    Kingsley Clifford Eleyan, who was camped at Erema Model Primary School in ONELGA with his family after his house in Ogbogu was completely destroyed by the flood, said: “So far we have not been paid anything. If they give us anything, we would have told you.”

    Eleyan, a scaffolder, now takes refuge in a relative’s home because he has not been able to raise funds to rebuild his house.

    He said: “We were asked to fill forms to enable them reach us, but till now, nobody from any government or agency has come to give us anything. But I must say that we were fairly treated while we were camping.”

    Chief Morgan Ugorji, 78, a farmer from Akabuka in ONELGA, who lost his house, said he was given papers to fill, adding: “Till now, no money or material has been given to us from the local government, state, Federal Government or even the National Emergency Management Agency) We are still expecting them as they promised, if at all they will come.”

    Uzoma Johnson, 18, from Akabuka said his mother walked away from his father, who died before the flood, leaving him and his three younger ones in the care of their grandmother.

    During the disaster, he moved his grandmother to a relative’s place and they stayed there till the flood receded. His grandmother died without receiving the relief promised the victims.

    Mr Sunny Eze of New Elf Road, Ogbugo, who lost his house, now lives in Port Harcourt with a relative. His concern is “that people in power will use their power to manoeuvre things and collect all the money”.

    Communities worst hit in ONELGA are Oboboru, Idu, Ohali, Obagi, Akabuka and Ogbogu.

    Ahoada-West was submerged during the flooding; about 13 villages in Ahoada- East were also over-flooded.

    They are:Ula-kpata, Ochigba, Ihuike, Okpogaudhor, Ikata, Ozochi, Obumeze, Okpowo, Odiabidi, Ogbo, Ekpena, Ihugbuluko, Abarikpo and Odieke-Akoho.

    Mr Gideon Samuel of Ogbo in Ahoada-East was the Assistant Coordinator at St Peter’s State School Camp in his village, which was home to about 42 villages. “The number of campers there that time was about 3,852 according to the register we submitted to NEMA and the Ministry of Special Duties.”

    Samuel admitted that they were fairly treated while in the camp but he alleged that the committee set up by the local government nearly messed up the state government’s efforts as they were diverting some of the relief materials sent to them.

    “Since we returned, there has been no compensation from anywhere despite the promise that they would do something. Up till now, nothing has been given to us.”

    Mrs Justina Justice, from Ekpeye, said she used to trade before the flood, adding that she ran for safety with her seven children to her sister’s place in Anwunugbokor road in Ogbo community.

    Justice said the flood has put her in difficulty because her belongings were washed away by the ravaging flood and lamented that the much needed relief has failed to materialise.

    Chief James Epele of Abarikpo in Ahoada-East may have already given up hope of getting anything. “The money or relief materials they are talking about is for big men. The flood was for their good and not for us the victims.”

    The Commissioner for Special Duties , Mr Dickson Umunakwe, who was contacted, said he was unaware that the PCFRR has reached out to anybody affected by the in the state.

    Umunakwe said: “As a matter of fact, I once represented the state in that committee and these issues were canvassed. Even during one of the sub-committees’ meetings what we were informed by the chairman of that sub-committee is that by April this year, that they would start distributing relief materials and finances. But from what we estimated in things we lost in terms of infrastructure and other material losses, it is about N20 billion which we submitted to the committee.

    “So, they looked at the estimates and the losses and they said that by April, they would start distributing but till now, we have not heard anything from them, either in terms of materials or finances.”

    On the compensation for victims, the commissioner, who assumed office in January this year, said: “I have not come across the fact that the victims were promised compensation because I have not heard of that.

    “But, what we did as a matter of fact was that when they cried out through the four Local Government Areas that were affected that most of them were peasant farmers, they needed to go back to the farms, they requested for seedlings like cassava stem, plantain suckers, banana suckers and even yam, we made provision for that and they were well distributed. These were the post-flood relief materials we distributed to the victims.”

    Umunakwe admitted that the state government received N300 million from the Federal Government for the victims.

    Reacting to the claim of the PCFRR, the Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Emenike Umesi told The Nation that “I am not aware of that. It does not concern us. They are operating separately. We don’t know their inner workings.”

    It was not possible to speak with the spokesperson of the Red Cross Society in Port Harcourt. This reporters was told that the Coordinator was not available. This reporter was asked to drop a phone number through which she would be contacted. Till the time of this report, nothing was heard from the society.

     

     

  • Lawmaker decries expulsion in Rivers

    A lawmaker, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro in Rivers State at the House of Representatives, has described the purported expulsion of over 20 Rivers State government functionaries and party leaders as a bad omen for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He spoke yesterday in Abuja shortly after the expulsion by the Felix Obuah-led faction of the party.

    Said he: “This objectionable rascality must stop. Obuah has turned a great embarrassment to the PDP and he must be called to order before he succeeds in presenting the party in Rivers State to the world as a bunch of irresponsible rascals.”

    Peterside, who is also the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), said: “Rivers people are peace-loving, decorous and law- abiding. Therefore, Obuah and his co-travellers are a disgrace to the state.”

    The lawmaker, who wondered why a respected party leader like Dr. Sam Sam Jaja should even be considered for such despicable action, described the purported expulsion as one of the absurdities of modern-day politics.

    “This action of suspending Dr. Sam Jaja and over 20 other leaders of the party in Rivers State is symptomatic of how morally deep we have degenerated. But as every responsible party member, I know this action is of no consequence as they do not have the power to do what they claimed to have done. Dr. Jaja will contest the PDP elections for the office of the deputy national chairman,” Peterside said.

     

  • Female lawyers fault acting Rivers CJ’s appointment

    The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has faulted the decision by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State to appoint the President of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal, Justice P. N.C. Agumagu, as the acting Chief Judge.

    The group said in a statement yesterday that the appointment amounted to “a flagrant breach of Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution.”

    It said the appropriate person for the position is Justice Daisy Okocha, who had been recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for the appointment.

    FIDA also faulted the argument by the state’s Attorney- General, Worgu Boms, that Justice Agumagu is the oldest serving judge in Rivers State, going by the date of his appointment.

    The group urged the governor to “in the interest of justice and fair play”, be guided by the provisions of Section 271(4) of the Constitution and appoint an acting Chief Judge in accordance with the constitutional provisions.

     

  • Rivers crisis: Wike gives condition for peace with Amaechi

    Rivers crisis: Wike gives condition for peace with Amaechi

    •Suspended council chairman, councillors must be recalled, he insists

    •Denies Rivers govt claim of heating up polity

    •Says ‘We can’t force ASUU to go back to work’

    The suspended chairman and councillors of Obio/Akpor Local Government in Rivers State must be recalled for peace to return to the state, the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, said yesterday.

    The minister, who is the arrowhead of the opposition to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, hails from the local government area.

    Speaking to reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt after appearing before the Performance Assessment Committee set up by the Felix Obuah faction of the PDP to evaluate public office appointees and elected officials from the state, he denied heating up the political temperature of the state as alleged by the state government.

    The government had accused him of violating the ban on campaign for the 2015 elections by circulating his posters for the governorship race.

    The Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, said that contrary to the minister’s denial, he (Wike) and his supporters were the brains behind the circulation of the posters.

    However, Wike, reacting to the allegation, said: “I was told that my posters are everywhere. These are politicians. They will just wake up one early morning and try to be mischievous. Do not bother yourself. We know their antics. We know this game. People just do what they like.

    “One of them was even defending it this (yesterday) morning that I was the one who put the posters. As a good politician, does it make sense? I am a minister and I will be pasting my posters. Does it make sense? You can see that people are very mischievous, just to find one thing or the other to say.

    “What utterances have I made that are heating up the polity? I said those who want to destroy Obio/Akpor LGA, they will not sleep. If you want to destroy my house, will I allow you to sleep?

    “Those who are accusing me of not doing my work, are they those who appointed me? Has Mr. President said I am not doing my work? I do my work. From Monday to Friday, I am in Abuja. Then Friday, I come back home to see my people. What is wrong with that?

    “For me is that PDP must go from strength to strength. We do not want PDP to lose any election. Nobody will take us by surprise. I am doing my work. Mr. President knows that. There is nothing you will do that people will not criticise. If you are quiet, they will say why is he quiet? If you are not quiet, they will say why is he talking too much?”

    He also denied that he will be leading the state’s delegation to this weekend’s mini convention of the party in Abuja in the absence of the governor who is currently on suspension by the PDP.

    “In my local government (Obio/Akpor), I know who the delegates are. I do not know the delegates from other LGAs. It is only the party chairman who can ascertain who are the delegates.

    “Except those who are automatic delegates, like the governor, who is a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT), senators, House of Representatives members, party chairmen, assembly members. 27 (of 32 loyal to Amaechi) Rivers House of Assembly members have been suspended and will not be able to participate.

    “Since they have been suspended from the party, they cannot take part in the activities of the party, until their suspension is lifted. It has nothing to do with me. Me leading the delegation is neither here nor there.”

    On ASUU strike, Wike said: “Am I not part of the negotiating team? My comment is what the Federal Government has done. We are pleading with ASUU members to go back to the classroom, with the N130 billion the Federal Government has released. Let us start from there and let them go back to the classroom.

    “I do not know what you mean by force. Nothing can be enough. We are appealing to them (ASUU members). The Federal Government has done something. In the interest of our children and in the interest of our nation, they should go back to the classroom. Nothing like force. We cannot force anybody.”

    Sources indicated that the performance assessment was to prevent the associates of the NGF chairman from attending the party’s special national convention in Abuja on August 31, as they would be suspended before the convention.

    The Rivers Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, ministers, senators; members of the House of Representatives, commissioners, five members of the Rivers Assembly loyal to Wike, LG chairmen, among others were invited by the committee for the three-day assessment, which commenced on Thursday, but Amaechi’s loyalists refused to appear.

    The minister of state for education, while commenting on what transpired between him and members of the Rivers PDP’s Performance Assessment Committee also stated that nobody forced him to appear, but he was invited by the party, while describing the interaction as normal.

    Wike added: “They asked me, as a minister, what have I done for the PDP? I told them I am a minister, through the approval of Mr. President (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan), most of the PDP members today can say that they are members of federal boards. Not less than 15 of our people are members of federal boards, which is part of serving the country and people are happy.”

  • Rivers Justice Ndu retires in grand style

    Rivers Justice Ndu retires in grand style

    Valedictory ceremonies were held in honour of the immediate past Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iche N Ndu on Monday at the St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Hospital Road, Port Harcourt. It was followed by inspection of valedictory guard of honour and court session at the Chief Judge’s Ceremonial Court Hall, New Court Building, Port Harcourt.

    He was the sixth CJ to serve the state since it was created 46 years ago(1967). He served in the office for 12 years.

    The ceremonies were witnessed by lawyers, politicians and government functionaries, including Justice Ndu’s successor, Justice Peter Agumagu, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Okey Wali, Justice and Mrs. Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, Anambra State Chief Justice Justice Peter Umeadi, Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chair Felix Obuah, the Eze Ekpeye Logbo II of Ekpeye Land, His Royal Majesty (Flt Lt) Robinson O Robinson and former Head of Service in Rivers State Dame Esther Alucha.

    Dr. Ndu used the opportunity of the ceremonies to advise his colleagues.

    He urged judges to be wary of politicians. He accused the executive of gross abuse of power and urged the judiciary especially the judges to be cautious in dispensing of justice.

    He condemned indiscriminate seeking of exparte motion order of injunction by politicians saying it amounts to abuse of the judiciary.

     

     

  • Provost urges Rivers residents to embrace medical imaging course

    Provost urges Rivers residents to embrace medical imaging course

    Residents of Port Harcourt and other towns in Rivers State have been advised to take advantage of the new Medical Imaging Technology course introduced in the State College of Health Science and Technology, Port Harcourt

    The provost of the college, Dr. Victor Nnanna Onyekwere, gave the advice at a workshop organised by the institution in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), last Thursday.

    He said taking advantage of the programme would provide easy employment opportunities for graduates of Medical Imaging Technology.

    The provost said manpower on Medical Imaging Technology is lacking, adding that there are ready jobs for graduates of the course.

    He said the essence of the workshop was to fashion out the curricular for the Higher National Diploma programme.

    Dr. Onyekwere said the college is already accredited for two-year National Diploma programme on the course, adding that the HND curriculum resulting from the workshop would be top notch to facilitate the easy accreditation of the course in the future.

    The programme director of the NBTE and leader of the board team for the workshop, Mr. Alloysius Mpieri, said they were in Port Harcourt as part of regulatory activities for courses run in polytechnics and monotechnics.

    He explained that since the RCHST is monotechnic, their board regulates the institute, the NBTE board regulates its technical education in terms of curricular and conduct accreditation for quality assurance and standard.

    He said the college is a trailblazer because it is the first to have such workshop and commended the management for successfully hosting the workshop.

    He maintained that the workshop was meant to beef up the ND programme in preparation for the take-off of the HND programme.

    In separate speeches, the Bursar, Mrs Elfrida Mene; Director of Medical Imaging Technology, Rev Akiene Nunyor and Ms Patrician Owanate, Registrar, expressed gratitude for the cordial work relationship they enjoy with the provost.

    They also commended him for initiating programmes like the course regulating and accreditation workshop and called for its sustenance.

    Similarly, they charged on the authorities of the board and other institutions concerned to provide the college with modern medical equipment for training students to ensure that the gap in medical industry is bridged.

    They also cautioned members of the public against patronising quack organisation, advising that they should go to the institution which is approved as the first monotechnic running medical courses.

     

  • Wike’s group kicks as Amaechi swears in Rivers Acting CJ

    Wike’s group kicks as Amaechi swears in Rivers Acting CJ

    Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi yesterday swore in President, state customary Court of Appeal, Justice Peter Agumagu, as the acting chief judge, pending the approval of the female nominee, Daisey W. Okocha, by the Nigeria Judicial Council (NCJ).

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Mr.David Iyofor said the appointment was based on the order of seniority in the profession billed to last for three months.

    He said: “Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has sworn in the new Acting Chief Judge of the State, Justice Peter N. C. Agumagu.

    ”Justice Agumagu was sworn in after the former Chief Judge of the State, Justice Iche Ndu, retired from service.

    ”Justice Agumagu was sworn in during a brief ceremony at the Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday (yesterday).

    Amaechi urged him to discharge his responsibilities without fear or favour.

    Explaining why he made the appointment, Amaechi said: “ I sat through the week with the Attorney General to review the appointment and we looked at the constitution and the constitution says the most senior Judge of the High Court, and we looked at your appointment as a Judge of the High Court and compared it with the rest of the judges in the state and realised that you are the most senior judge of the high court of Rivers State.  We therefore took that decision to proceed with the appointment.”

    He told the judge “we hope that within the three months of your acting, you will discharge your responsibility.”

    State government officials, including the governor and the Attorney-General, boycotted the farewell ceremony of the retiring CJ on Monday

    But Minister for State for Education, Nyesom Wike, Amaechi’s rival in the unabated Rivers political crisis, a lawyer, was fully robed at the event.

    Justice Ndu was appointed by former Governor Peter Odili in 2001.

    The Wike group criticised yesterday’s inauguration of Justice Agumagu.

    The minister’s group, Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), in a statement by its President-General, Bright Amaewhule, yesterday described Agumagu’s inauguration as a rape of  the  Constitution

    The Rivers State government, through the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, however, declared that Wike and his co-travellers were ignorant of the law.

    Wike’s group expressed shock that the Rivers governor and Boms could boycott Monday’s valedictory session for the retiring CJ, despite of being in Port Harcourt and without any cogent reason, alleging that Ndu refused to be used as a tool for political vendetta against their perceived political opponents.

    The Rivers chief of staff, a lawyer, also maintained that Amaechi acted within his rights and in order, stressing that the law empowers him to appoint an acting chief judge, if the situation arises.

    Okocha said: “I should not be responding to positions of those who lack knowledge of the law. When people are not aware, they make such ignorant comments and judgments.

    “The governor has powers to appoint an acting chief judge, even without recourse to the Assembly and such appointment is, according to the law, bound to last three months.

    “The governor is well aware of his rights and responsibilities. He is not one of those who act without disregard for the law. Even while he was performing the swearing-in ceremony, he said that a substantive appointee would be sworn in, if the National Assembly approves the recommendation of the NJC, at its resumption from recess.”

    The GDI, however, accused Amaechi, of having a non-performing executive arm of government, a comatose legislature and who now sought to destroy the Rivers judiciary, to voluntarily resign from office, describing him as a danger to democracy and the rule of law.

    By appointing Agumagu as the acting CJ, Wike’s group noted that the Rivers governor had violated Section 271 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that until a substantive appointment is made, filling the vacancy in the office of the CJ of the state, the most senior judge of the High Court of the state, shall be appointed to perform the functions of the CJ.

    The GDI’s president-general said: “Amaechi and Boms, in clear violation of section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution refused to swear in Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha, who is the most senior judge of the High Court of Rivers State, in an acting capacity, until the procedural niceties of appointing a substantive CJ of Rivers State are fulfilled.

    “Justice Daisy Okocha happens to be the same judge of the High Court of Rivers State that both the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Commission have recognised as the substantive CJ of Rivers State and recommended for appointment to Governor Amaechi.

    “Governor Amaechi does not have the constitutional power (as much as he would wish he had) to appoint the CJ of Rivers state, be it in a substantive or acting capacity, outside the provisions of Section 271 of the Constitution.”