L-R: Representative of the Swiss Embassy, Dr Daniel Cavegn, Assistant Inspector General of Police (Training and Development), Mr Olufemi Adenaike, and Commandant, Police College, Kaduna, CPJimoh Ozi-Obeh, at the Nigeria Police Force Human Rights Training Programme in Kaduna, recently

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has hinted that the state will host one of the best Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conferences come August this year.
He gave the hint while playing host to the African Bar Association (ABA) in Government House, yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Aside the NBA conference, the governor said the state is geared to host other national events such as the Peoples Democratic Party Convention billed for May, Federal High Court legal year, and Nigerian Magistrates’ Conference, among others.
He opined that hosting this string of national events is an  indication that the state is peaceful as against the media propaganda by the opposition to paint the state in bad light.
Wike submitted that the stability and peace being enjoyed in the state judiciary has been consolidated with the emergence of substantive chief judge and president of Customary Court of Appeal.
Assuring the African Bar Association that the financial autonomy granted the judiciary will be sustained as that is the only way to promote impartial adjudication of cases the governor declared, “We will always support the promotion of the rule of law. This is because the existence of the rule of law promotes peace and development”.
Meanwhile, the African Bar Association has conferred on Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike the life membership of its council for reviving and stabilising the state judiciary.
The conferment of the life membership of the African Bar Association Council on the governor was conveyed via a letter presented to him by the President of the African Bar Association, Mr Hannibal Uwaifo during a courtesy call at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Uwaifo said that the African Bar Association considers the development actions of Governor Wike worthy of commendation as he has proved to be a good ambassador of the legal  profession.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cashless policy will go a long way to check crime within the state if implemented.
He made the assertion during a courtesy visit by the new Controller of Port Harcourt branch of the CBN, Mr Kazeem Adekunle Alaka, yesterday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
He told the Port Harcourt CBN branch controller that, “we will help you sensitize the people on the importance of the cash less policy”.
Wike while lauding the CBN for also introducing the Bank Verification Number (BVN) said the recent staff audit exercise in the state has underscored the need for the bank to stick with good policies and programmes, as it saved the state huge sums of money.
The governor pledged that the state government will help the bank in promoting programmes that will uplift the condition of the citizenry.
Wike said his administration will also exploit the agric development programmes of the apex bank to diversity the state economy through commercial agriculture.
Thanking the bank for the recent loan scheme to small and medium scale businesses, Wike solicited for more of the apex bank loans to develop the state.
The governor noted that investments in agriculture already being consolidated by his administration will further develop the state’s economy and enhance food security.
He commended the CBN governor for being firm and consistent in the application of monetary policies, and stated that policy somersaults in the past negatively affected the economy.
In his remarks, the Port Harcourt Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Kazeem Adekunle Alaka, announced that the CBN will assist farmers in the state to improve on the cultivation of oil palm produce and cassava allocated to the state.
He said the two areas of financial inclusion for farmers in the state are aimed at diversifying the state economy through agriculture.
Alaka, therefore, appealed to the state government to launch sensitization programmes to ensure that more farmers key into the programme.
Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has called on the Federal Government to implement policies and programmes that will fight poverty in the country.
He made the call while hosting students of the National Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Study Group Six on study tour of Rivers State, in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Leader of the team and Director of Studies in NIPSS, Prof. Celestine Bassey, had informed the governor that studies carried out by the institute reveal that 67 million Nigerians live in poverty, while 37 per cent of the population live in abject poverty.
Wike, however, noted that it was not enough to conduct studies around the country, saying the Federal Government needs to implement the findings and recommendations of the institute.
“I think government should take your recommendations because it will go a long way in the review and adjustment of policies and programmes,” Wike said.
He declared that the state government will support any policy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which will enhance the well-being of Rivers people.
“I will support any policy of the Federal Government that will enhance the living standard of people of Rivers State.  It does not matter who initiated such policy, as long as it favours our people”, he explained.
Emphasizing that he will not use his office for unnecessary politicking, Wike, pointed out that good policies should transcend party affiliation.
He said the Rivers State Government will support the NIPPS study team in carrying out their research into poverty alleviation in the state.
Earlier, Leader of delegation, Prof Celestine Bassey, had said that the team was in the state to carry out an assessment of the impact of poverty alleviation programmes in the state.
The team later held an interactive session with top officials of the Rivers State Government.