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Okocha Laments Abuse Of Rule Of Law

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5 years ago

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Exasperated by what he considers to be a warped sense of the application of the rule of law in Nigeria by the executive, a life bencher and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Onueze Chukwujinka Joseph Okocha, at the weekend in Port Harcourt, lamented “the unlawful use of government power to undermine the rule of law and deny citizens of Nigeria of their constitutionally guaranteed rights and liberties”.
“We continue to see the Judiciary’s emasculation, the intimidation of Judges and lawyers, and the continued disobedience of court judgements and orders, even by Government and officials of Governments”, Okocha further laments.
Recalling how Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari was berated by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for tying the application of the Rule of Law to National Security at the opening ceremony of its 2018 Annual Conference wherein he (Buhari) said that National Security can override the Rule of Law in given circumstances, Okocha regrets that “ the Rule of Law is still being undermined and disregarded, even to this day.”
He spoke as the guest lecturer at the presentation of The Journey, legal essays, in honour of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Kola Babalola who marked his 50 years of legal practice and 80th birthday, graced by the representative of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, legal luminaries and other eminent personalities.
Okocha, a former NBA President expressed displeasure at the body for being “mute as if by a visitation of God” in the face of persistent disobedience to court orders and judgements, and the intimidation of Judges.
Reeling out instances when politicians and their thugs have invaded the courts and disrupted activities, the legal luminary regrets that the police and other law enforcement agencies are still trampling on citizens’ rights and liberties.
Dwelling on Promoting The Rule of Law: A Motto To Be Observed With Active Commitment, the one-time Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in the state regretted that some lawyers, rather than promote the Rule of Law, are actively involved in undermining it.
“ We encourage our clients to also undermine the Rule of Law; we file actions in gross abuse of process, and we adopt all strategies and tactics to delay the speedy trial of causes and matters if it is in the interest of our clients… forgetting that we are all ministers in the Temple of Justice,” he stated.
Okocha reminded lawyers of their abiding responsibility to uphold the Rule of Law with active commitment at all times.

 

By: Victor Tew

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Rivers

MCDI Inducts 150 Professionals In PH

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7 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria (MCDI) has inducted about 150 new members into various categories of membership during a special induction ceremony and dinner in Port Harcourt.
Aimed at expanding the institute’s membership base, the event offered new inductees an opportunity to engage with senior members and integrate fully into the organisation’s professional network.
The induction ceremony was part of the 2025 national conference of the institute.
National President of MCDI, Dr. Collins Edebiri, administered the oath, while the new members promised to carry out their duties faithfully, following the institute’s rules and constitution.
Dr. Edebiri emphasised the institute’s core mandate of instilling values that will shape individuals and institutions.
He emphasised the theme of the conference, “Mentoring for Individual and Corporate Leadership”, noting that last year’s focus centred on national development and value reorientation.
Edebiri explained that the induction ceremony is a key feature of the institute’s annual conference, though inductions also occur quarterly.
On the criteria for membership, he said the most important factor is the desire to be mentored or the readiness to mentor others, and urged the new inductees to become ambassadors of value-driven leadership in their respective workplaces.
Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), shared her experiences from her early days in journalism, attributing much of her professional growth to strong mentorship.
She encouraged members to embrace mentorship as a catalyst for personal and societal advancement.
Seminitari was later presented an award.
New members, including Wisdom Egberi Woniepiriye, and Mrs. Grace Ajinwanyiekwu, expressed their excitement and hope to be mentored well so they can eventually mentor others.
There were a dinner and networking session, marking another success for MCDI in its efforts to build leadership values nationwide.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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Rivers

Fisherman Gets Thumbs-Up Over Patent Creation 

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7 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has commended a renowned fisherman, Mr. Ricky Brown Owunari, for what it described as a remarkable stride in global engineering content creation.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Association, weekend, the SPE said  the patented “Dewaxer Flow Enhancer and Downhole Tool” had secured official endorsement under U.S. Patent No. 12,448,868 B2.
They said the development has been highlighted as a significant indicator of Rivers State’s growing intellectual and technological capacity, with observers noting that such breakthroughs position the state as a rising hub for innovation.
According to those familiar with the innovation, the achievement serves as proof that Niger Deltans have moved beyond the era of militancy and are now producing world-class content, research outputs, and technical solutions.
The SPE officials described the patented technologies as timely tools designed to tackle wax deposition in crude oil wells, a major challenge that frequently disrupts production and increases maintenance costs.
They further stressed that the milestone underscores the need for Rivers State to invest more in supporting innovators whose works demonstrate global potential.
Industry experts revealed that the tool originated from years of field observation, experimentation, and rigorous research aimed at improving flow assurance in challenging well conditions.
They also urged the Federal Government to show greater appreciation for home-grown innovations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognise and encourage technological breakthroughs emerging from the Niger Delta.
Stakeholders at the event warned against piracy, emphasising that unauthorised copying of patented technologies undermines national progress and discourages genuine innovators.
Analysts observed that the breakthrough strengthens the narrative of a new Rivers State built on creativity, content development, and technical excellence rather than conflict.
The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government authorities and industry players to protect intellectual property and position Rivers State as a greenhouse for innovation-driven content.
The content, The Tide gathered, is expected to solve critical challenges in the oil and gas sector, as well as other relevant areas of the national economy.
By; King Onunwor
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Rivers

NBA Seeks End To Mass Abductions, Targeted Killings

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7 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against mass abductiond and targeted killings in Nigeria.
President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who gave the warning, noted that Nigeria was faced with a growing wave of violence following fresh attacks in Kebbi and Borno States.
The association issued the warning after terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga on November 17.
According The Tide’s source, the gunmen killed a teacher and abducted at least twenty-five students during a shootout with security personnel.
The  President said the latest attack shows the country has become unsafe for schoolchildren and civilians.
He further noted that Nigeria also lost Brigadier General M. Uba earlier that day in an ISWAP ambush in Borno State.
According to Osigwe, the nation was  witnessing a rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and lawlessness that has overwhelmed security agencies, adding that rural communities, travellers, farmers, and security officers are all exposed.
The NBA President also warned that Nigeria was facing a dangerous breakdown of public safety.
Quoting recent reports, he said about 145 people went missing in mass abductions across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara within four days.
“The country must stop recording deaths while hoping for peace through negotiations with terrorists”, he said.
The NBA further revealed that recent intelligence alerts, including the DSS warning of ISWAP plans to strike in Ondo and Kogi, show a widening threat.
Osigwe questioned why terrorists still control forests and highways without challenge, with criminals levying taxes on communities, displace families, and attack convoys.
The NBA demanded an urgent national security overhaul with transparency and strong political will.
Osigwe, however, praised the teacher who died in Kebbi while protecting students.
By;  King Onunwor
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