The newly elected Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Chinedu Maduba, has pledged to run an all-inclusive administration that would unite members and elevate the image of the legal profession to an enviable height.
Maduba stated this in his acceptance speech shortly after he was declared winner of the Branch election held at the NBA House, Port Harcourt, and declared that there was “no victor, no vanquished” in the election.
He thanked members of the Branch for the confidence reposed in him and assured that his administration would be open, inclusive and committed to the collective interests and welfare of members.
Maduba, who polled 369 votes, promised to work with all members of the Branch irrespective of their voting preferences, stressing that the election had ended and the task ahead was to build a stronger and more united Bar.
Mrs. Flora A. Festus was elected Vice Chairman of the Branch with 275 votes, while Mrs. Rachael Princewill emerged Secretary with 417 votes.
Mr. Dimkpa Geoffrey Lemuel was elected Assistant Secretary with 412 votes, while Mrs. Ogechi Ihekwoaba-Agbai emerged Treasurer with 293 votes.
Mrs. Abaraonye Valentina Chikordi was elected Financial Secretary with 481 votes, while Confidence Nkiruka Nwoka emerged Welfare Secretary with 315 votes.
Others are: Ikpe-Orluorlu Chigozie, Social Secretary with 434 votes; Ohaka Ihunwo, Publicity Secretary with 393 votes; and Azubuike Anwuri, Provost with 291 votes.
The successful conduct of the election brought to an end months of uncertainty that had trailed the Port Harcourt Branch electoral process following repeated postponements and disputes over the Branch’s voters’ register.
The election has now paved the way for the inauguration of a new executive to steer the affairs of the Branch, with members expecting the new leadership to promote unity, advance the welfare of lawyers and strengthen the professional standing of the Port Harcourt Bar.
With the emergence of the new executive, attention is expected to shift to the implementation of the administration’s programmes and its ability to translate the promises made during the election into tangible benefits for members of the branch.

By: King Onunwor

The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, His Majesty, King Leslie N. Eke, has pledged his support for the governorship aspiration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Ogundu Chinda.

He gave the assurance when members of the Divine Mandate Progressive Movement (DMPM), a support group for the APC governorship candidate, led by its leader, His Most Royal Eminence, Cardinal Jephthah Ikezim, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Woji Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Friday.

The Monarch, who also is the Eze Gbakagbaka and Chairman, Supreme Council of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, said his decision to support the project was influenced by the group’s conviction that Chinda’s emergence as the next governor of Rivers State was divinely inspired.

According to him, no individual has the power to frustrate the will of God, stressing that he identified with the movement because of what he described as its divine mandate.

“As a traditional ruler overseeing 33 communities, I have my vote, and my vote is my conscience and I will vote my son”, the monarch stated.

The Eze Woji XII urged members of the group to remain steadfast and focused in pursuing their objective, warning them against distractions that could derail the vision.

He observed that any mandate, no matter how noble, could be undermined if those championing it failed to remain committed and united in purpose.

Describing Chinda as an articulate, brilliant and intelligent lawyer, King Eke, who is also the Grand patron of the group, expressed confidence that he possesses the capacity to provide purposeful leadership if elected governor of Rivers State in 2027.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Cardinal Jephthah Ikezim, said the group visited the monarch to seek his royal blessings and support for the governorship ambition of Chinda.

He noted that while prayers remained essential, they must be complemented with active political engagement and grassroots mobilisation to actualise the aspiration.

Cardinal Ikezim appealed to Rivers people to embrace what he described as a divinely inspired project and give it the necessary support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

He disclosed that the Divine Mandate Progressive Movement would embark on mobilisation across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State to canvass support and votes for the APC governorship candidate.

By: King Onunwor

The Kalabari Renaissance Foundation, organisers of the Kalabari New Year Festival, has formally endorsed the Minama Community in the Asari-Toru Local Government of Rivers State as the host of the 2027 edition of the festival.

A statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Foundation, Mr. Harry Awolayeofori Mcmorrison and Ibiba Don-Pedro, respectively, states that Minama was chosen to host immediately after Elem-Kalabari  because of the special historical ties between Minama and the founding fathers of Kalabari.

According to the statement, the festival, planned for November 16, 2026, promises to be bigger because of the accessibility of the venue by road and the opportunity to revisit the history of Kalabari in its undiluted form.

The statement also notes that even more attractive are the unique spiritual and cultural contents in Minama that a lot of people would want to see and benefit from.

The Foundation used the opportunity to publicly thank the Amayanabo of Minama, HRH King, Dr. Iboroma Pokubo, Loku Xll, and the Minama Council of Chiefs, for accepting to host the new year festival this November.

To facilitate another successful outing, the Foundation called for financial support, advertising and vendors.

It also announced the appointment of a new Finance and Fundraising Committee and Contact and Mobilisation Committee.

As usual, the festival would include cultural displays, boat regatta, environmental rejuvenation and keynote speeches. Also expected are troupes from neighbouring kingdoms, the Nigerian Tourism Board, diaspora presentations, among others.