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‘Rivers Judiciary Needs Courageous Judges’
As a way of charting a new course for the Rivers State Judiciary in the future, the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has tasked judges and other judicial officers to be courageous in the dispensation of justice.
Wike gave the charge at a special court session organised by the state judiciary to mark Rivers State Golden Jubilee, yesterday, in Port Harcourt.
The governor insisted that it was the only way to sustain justice, and equity in the land even though he acknowledged that the judiciary has made huge achievements in the past 50 years, and stressed the need for all arms to work together to move the state forward.
He said, “We need more of those who are courageous to run the judiciary, especially in the delivery of justice. Intellect is not enough.”
For him, “If you don’t have courage, then justice cannot be done.”
Wike said his call had become necessary considering the fact that many judges are being persecuted by the government, adding that this reason, many of them are shunning cases that are political to avoid being witch-hunted.
In Rivers State, he held that the case was different as his administration will give the judiciary independence and funds to operate as an autonomous arm of government, assuring, “We will not intervene in what they are doing.”
Also as part of measures to give the judiciary the leverage it needs, he disclosed that the state government has acquired land to build houses for retired judges who have served both state and federal governments, as he explained that the gesture was to ensure these judicial officers enjoy some measure of comfort after service.
Earlier, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adama Inyie Iyayi-Lamikanra, had commended past judges and other judicial officers that contributed to the growth of the state judiciary over the years.
She held that the Golden Jubilee provides for reflection and stocktaking but praised the efforts so far made by the state governor to reform the state judiciary and enforce the rule of law.
Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra said, “The judiciary under the new era is celebrated in all ramifications”, and promised that, “As the third arm of government, we shall support the development efforts of the governor through a strategic approach to justice delivery.”
The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Emmanuel Aguma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), submitted that the judiciary in the state has passed through dark times, and has survived.
He thanked past leaders of the state who contributed to the growth and development of the judiciary, and promised that, “The next 50 years will be visionary and driven by high technology for efficient delivery of justice.”
Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Onueze Okocha and B.N. Wifa said Rivers State has fared well in the past 50 years in the legal profession.
In the words of Okocha, “The bar has grown in leaps and bounds, and the Port Harcourt Bar has existed before 1967”.
Today, he said, the state has 25 senior advocates, and now the centre of excellence in law practice.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Omubo Victor Frank Briggs, congratulated the chief judge and the state in general for the milestone of clocking 50 years.
Despite few setbacks, the Port Harcourt NBA chairman, noted that the bar has grown over the years to about 5,000 members, adding that it has played great role in development of the judiciary in Rivers State.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.