Role In Rivers Crisis: Wike Hails NBA

Ex-militants led by their spokesman, Mr Fyneface Otokiri (middle), expressing grief over non-payment of their allowances to The Tide reporter, Iragunima Benice, during a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt, yesterday

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has commended the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the role it played during the political crisis in the state.
Speaking while hosting the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NBA on Wednesday in Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor lauded the body for standing for the truth.
He described NBA as the leading light in the society, especially in speaking out against issues that border on rights of the citizenry.
“Without you, most Nigerians will be oppressed and their rights trampled upon,” Wike said, while urging the body not to relent in its stance to promote good governance and democracy in the country.
He used the visit to reiterate the resolve of the government to give prominence to issues of law and the judiciary, stressing that, “the judiciary must not continue to beg for funds from the government, not under my watch.”
Despite the economic crunch in the country, he assured that the administration will continue to pursue people-oriented projects, especially the ones that impact on the lives of the common people.
It is against this backdrop that he explained reasons why his administration has resolved to complete projects started by previous administrations, explaining that every responsible government must reduce wastage of public funds since government is a continuum.
Lauding the NBA for hosting its NEC meeting in Port Harcourt, the governor said the event will provide the body and visitors the opportunity to experience the tranquillity and peace in the state as against sensational media reports painting the state in bad light.
“I believe that the NEC meeting you have here today will make NEC always to have Port Harcourt as its host”, he added.
Earlier, National President of NBA, Augustine Alegeh, had thanked the governor and people of the state for hosting the NEC meeting.
He congratulated the governor for his electoral victory, adding that, “We are happy that our own is the executive governor of Rivers State”.
Alegeh intimated the governor that the NEC meeting, which is the second highest decision body of the NBA, is held twice yearly in different parts of the country, and discusses national issues and matters relating to the practice of law in the country.