Niger Delta
… Tasks Senior Legal Practitioners On Mentorship

Practising senior lawyers in Bayelsa State have been charged to groom their junior colleagues to enable them grow and succeed in the legal profession.
Giving the charge at the opening ceremony of a three-day Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Young Lawyers Forum in Yenagoa, Governor Douye Diri said it was the only way to ensure the perpetuity of the profession.
Diri, who spoke through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, identified determination and courage as two critical factors young lawyers need to succeed in their careers.
He maintained that although it was always challenging for young lawyers to make it, they must draw inspiration from those who had grown to the peak of their calling through determination and courage.
The Governor urged fresher’s in the legal profession to be fearless, maintaining that once they were bold, there was nothing that could conquer them.
The governor, who reminded the young lawyers of the technological innovations taking place in society, also encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunities created by technology and the current realities.
A statement made available to Newsmen shortly after the governor’s address at the conference by the senior special assistant to deputy governor on media, Mr Doubara Atasi quoted the governor as saying:
“I want to use this opportunity to speak to the senior lawyers that they must realize that, until you encourage the young lawyers, you would stand alone. And when that happens, the survival of the law profession is threatened,
“All senior legal practitioners must try as much as possible to ensure the younger ones grow. For young lawyers, it is always challenging, but I want to tell you that everyone begins as a young lawyer, including the Chief Judge, the Attorney General and all the judges seated here.
“What has made them got to where they are today, were two things: ’courage and determination’. Once you are determined, you will get to where you want to get to in the legal profession and life in general”.
Declaring the ceremony open, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri, said the conference was not only beneficial to young lawyers, but for the development of the legal profession in general.
Underscoring the importance of using modern day technology, Justice Abiri noted that the state judiciary was leveraging on it to improve on its services, especially in the area of justice delivery.
“The world we are in today is fast-moving from the use of analogue to the era of technology-driven society and globalization. It is therefore necessary that you all key into this emerging trend, in order not to be left behind”, the Chief Judge said.
Also speaking, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), recalled that his experience as a young lawyer was radically different from that of the present generation, noting that modern day practice is essentially technologically-driven.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,Yenagoa
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.