Wike Tasks New CJ On Reforms …Orders Inclusion Of Widows In CBN’s Fund

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has sworn in an Acting Chief Judge, Justice Adama Iye Iyayi-Lamikanra with a charge for her to sustain the judicial reforms started by her predecessor.
Wike while congratulating Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra on her new office shortly after her swearing-in at Government House in Port Harcourt, further charged her to dispense justice without fear or favour.
‘’We thank God that the judiciary is back, let the acting Chief Judge continue from where her predecessor stopped. Your predecessor has done very well, I am very proud to say this. Do your best and at the end of the day people will commend you”, the governor said.
Wike had during a valedictory court session in honour of Justice Okocha on Thursday last week announced that he will follow due process in the appointment of a successor to Justice Okocha.
The Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State, Adama Iye Iyayi-Lamikanra, is an indigene of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State while her late husband hailed from Rivers State, and the present husband, a Yoruba.
Wike insisted that the rule of law and respect for the laid down succession be followed in the appointment. This is the first it is happening in the country.
Speaking during the swearing-in of the Rivers State reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continue to accord women their rightful positions in government, no matter the circumstances.
The governor said that women will continue to enjoy more than 35 per cent of appointments in his administration, noting that women occupy about 70 per cent in different positions
He said: “Nobody should talk about twenty five per cent or 30 per cent, the women appointed since my administration came into power, has covered up to 70 per cent”.
Wike further advised the newly sworn in Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State,  Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra to dispense justice to the people without fear or favour.
Responding, the newly sworn in Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State, Adama Iye Iyayi-Lamikanra while expressing thanks to the governor of Rivers State for finding her worthy for appointment  as the acting chief judge of Rivers State, promised to dispense justice at all times.
Meanwhile, moved by the plight of widows of fallen military personnel in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike has approved their inclusion in the N2billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fund for women and youth empowerment of the state government.
Addressing a company of ex-service men and women in Government House to mark the  2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations last weekend in Port Harcourt, Wike assured that his administration will continue to work with the Rivers State Nigerian Legion to provide employment and improve  the wellbeing of veterans.
He said the government will always ensure that the welfare of veterans and the families of those who lost their lives in defending the country are given priority attention.
The governor noted  that  the  Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration is significant  because  it provides Nigerians  the opportunity to publicly appreciate  the  contributions  of armed forces  personnel.
He said: “As some persons have rightly observed, most often we are too inclined to take for granted the prevailing stability in our country.  However, given our chequered history, the opportunities for national peace and security are made possible largely through the efforts, commitment and sacrifices of our armed forces to defend the sovereignty and territory integrity of our country.
“Let us continue to acknowledge and thank the men and women of our current armed forces who have answered the National call to service.  Most significantly, let us resolve to use the lesson of self-sacrifice to re-dedicate ourselves to preserving the unity of our country”.
He called on Nigerians never to forget the sacrifices of the fallen heroes in order to encourage living officers to put in their best for the nation.
He announced that the state government will address the accommodation and logistics challenge of the Rivers State Nigeria Legion.
“For the families of our fallen heroes who are with us today, our deep thoughts and prayers are with you for the losses you have suffered.  We encourage you to take solace in the significance of the recognition and honour the nation bestows on your children, daughters, parents, brothers, sisters and other children”, he said.
In his address, Rivers State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Colonel Wilberforce Josiah, commended  Nyesom Wike for his commitment to the welfare of the veterans, and appealed to him to always take action on issues that concern their welfare.
Highpoint of the celebrations was the laying of wreath for the unknown soldier by Governor Wike, Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Acting Chief Judge, Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra and service commanders and police commissioner in Rivers State.
There was also a 21 gun salutes and a minute silence in honour of the fallen heroes.
Meanwhile, widows of ex-service men have made a passionate plea on government to assist them through scholarships, jobs and loans to sustain their families.
Chairperson of the body in the state, Mrs Theresa Pepple, lamented that wives of legionnaires have over the years been side-lined by the authorities in the different loan schemes floated by government.
She said, “we have always been exempted from benefiting in the loan schemes for women in the state. They say we are wives of ex-soldiers and whenever we send our names they put it in the waste bin.”
Pepple related that despite several promises in the past four years nothing has been given to them.
The ex-servicemen wife leader pleaded on government to assist members in developing a land they acquired some years back for agricultural business.
The same view was expressed by Anna Sule, a former chairperson of the body who decried neglect by the authorities.
Sule stated that most their members have been unable to pay school fees, house rents and sustain their families after they lost their husbands in the defence of the country.
She called on government to assist them through jobs, skills and loans for small businesses.

President Muhammed Buhari, inspecting a parade during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja on Friday