Rivers
Apara Kingdom Gets New Monarch
Following the demise of the eze
Oha Apara III of Ekinigbo Clan/Apara Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Kesiorlu Royal House, has coronated a new Paramount Ruler, Chief Gift Eziwhuo Johnson to replace the late Sir Eze S.N. Wali.
The coronation ceremony which took place at the Palace of Late Eze S.N. Wali in Rumuigbo Community last Tuesday attracted several chiefs, Owhor holders, youths, women and top government functionaries including the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Sir Tony Okocha and a Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor, Mr. Alex Wele among others.
The Chairman of the Kesirlu Royal House, Prince Kenneth Wali in an address presented at the occasion on behalf of the royal family said it was the prerogative of the royal house to coronate a new King whenever the stool was vacant in order not to create a vaccum, stressing that the Eze Oha traditional stool was hereditary.
He also went down memory lane to buttress his point, stressing that the historical background of the stool spanned several years, beginning from 1925.
Prince Wali further explained that the rightful person to occupy the stool must come from Obogha’s linage, as the first son of Kesiorlu, and expressed delight that the new Monarch, Chief Gift Johnson had come of age to occupy the stool of Eze Oha Apara IV.
He said it was wrong to play politics with the tradition of the people. The address was also signed by Ojiowhor Chinda Wali, Mr. Chidi Wakpa and Elder Godpower N. Worlu Wobo.
All those who spoke at the event lauded the emergence of Chief Johnson as the new Paramount Ruler and pledged their loyalty to his administration.
In his response, Chief Johnson thanked the Chiefs, Owhor holders and all those who made his coronation a success, saying, it was by the grace of God that he was chosen as the new King.
Speaking with newsmen in his Palace, Chief Johnson said the process that brought him to the throne was based on the truth as his people told the world the truth to pave the way for his coronation.
According to him, his coronation was a new dawn from the Ekinigbo Clan and the Apara Kingdom at large.
He said since it was the truth that brought him to the throne, he would always abide by the truth and ensure that the truth always prevailed, assuring that he would never disrespect or disobey the throne.
Judges of the High Court, Rivers State state Port Harcourt have resumed their normal Court sitting on Wednesday 30th April 2025 after spending fifteen days this year’s Easter holidays.
It will be recalled that the State High Court Judges had proceeded on Easter vacation on Monday April 14 to 29th ,2025 on the approval of the state chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi.
A statement signed by the Chief Registrar, High Court Rivers State, Port Harcourt, David Ihua _maduenyi, esq said the judges are to resume court sitting on Wednesday 30th April, 2025 in line with the earlier directives from the state chief judge and urged the general public to take notice of the resumption date.
“This is to inform the general public that the judges of the High court of the Rivers state shall resume normal Court sitting after Easter vacation on Wednesday, 30th April, 2025.
“Recall that the chief judge of Rivers state, Hon justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi had earlier directed that judges of the high court of Rivers state, should proceed on Easter vacation from Monday, 18 April 2025 to Tuesday, 29th April, 2025.”
“The general public should take notice:the High court of Rivers state shall resume sitting on Wednesday, 30th April 2025.”
The Management of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, has approved annual free medical checks for all staff of the University. The move is to promote staff sound health and productivity at work place.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, disclosed this during the third edition of the “Walk for Life” health, wellness and fitness exercise, held last Saturday.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the new health policy will enable every staff member of the University to undergo free comprehensive medical check-up on their birthdays, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to promoting the health and wellbeing of staff members.
Professor Zeb-Obipi emphasized that regardless of whether a staff member’s birthday falls on a weekend, the initiative applies to all Rivers State University employees, expressing optimism that the Health Services Department has the required manpower and facilities to manage the novel health policy.
To achieve the policy, the VC said that the Establishment Division will liaise with the Health Services to compile the birthdays of all staff and send notification two or three days before the days their birthdays fall, reminding them to go for their free medical check-up.
Highlighting the importance of active leadership, the Vice-Chancellor stated that leadership requires direct engagement with the people, a principle he called “management by walking the floor,” rather than managing from behind closed doors. He emphasized that policies should be crafted from direct engagement with employees to understand their challenges.
He noted that this edition of the “Walk for Life” health fitness programme serves as a practical example of this management style, allowing him to interact with members of the university community and observe firsthand the need for regular health checks. He described the walk as a “worthy exercise,” pointing out that since most university work is sedentary, periodic physical activities such as the Walk for Life are crucial for the health and productivity of the staff.
The Vice-Chancellor also noted that this month’s “Walk for Life” coincides with the World Malaria Week, underlining the University’s commitment to supporting global health initiatives with the pledge that “Malaria must end with us.”.
Earlier, the Director of Health Services Department, Dr. Dagogo Cookey-Gam, charged the university community to visit the Medical Centre for testing before treatment of malaria. He said parents should watch out for children under 5 years because they can come under severe malaria attack, adding that pregnant women should also be mindful not to be exposed of having malaria due to their low immune system.
Dr. Cookey-Gam noted that malaria can be prevented by maintaining a clean environment and using mosquito nets.
On his part, the Director of the University Sports Unit, Prof. Joseph Vipene, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for sustaining the monthly “Walk for Life” initiative, assuring that the programme which has come to stay has placed the University in an enviable position for others to emulate.
The Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the commencement of an investigation into the death of a police officer who allegedly took his own life in Port Harcourt.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
“We received a report about an officer who allegedly killed himself.
“However, we are currently investigating the report to ascertain what transpired”, she stated.
Iringe-Koko reported that the Commissioner of Police in the Sstate, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for a thorough investigation.
According to viral reports Monday, Insp. Maxwell Zabu, formerly a security detail to Victor Ihunwo, a former Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council, allegedly shot himself at Ihunwo’s residence in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt.
A source familiar with the incident said the matter was reported to the Azikiwe Police Division in the area.
“Following the report, detectives from the division visited the scene as part of preliminary investigation procedures”, the source added.