The Rivers State Judiciary has declared Thursday, November 5, 2026, a court-free day to enable members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, to participate in the annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Nigeria.

The notice was signed by the branch secretary, Rachel C. Princewill,  who urged members to take note of the decision and be guided accordingly.

According to the notification, the court-free day is intended to facilitate the participation of lawyers in the annual conference, which is scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The conference is expected to bring together legal practitioners and other stakeholders in the administration of justice and the field of arbitration to discuss issues relating to dispute resolution and professional practice.

The announcement provides members of the Bar an opportunity to participate in the professional gathering without the usual demands of court proceedings on the designated date.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators is a professional body associated with the promotion and development of arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Arbitration remains an important mechanism for resolving commercial and other disputes outside conventional court litigation, helping parties explore alternatives to lengthy judicial proceedings.

The annual conference is therefore an important professional engagement for practitioners interested in strengthening their knowledge of arbitration and related dispute-resolution processes.

Members of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch have consequently been advised to make the necessary arrangements to attend the conference on the scheduled date.

The notification reaffirms the branch’s commitment to keeping members informed of developments affecting their professional engagements and participation in activities aimed at advancing legal practice.

The Tide had reported last week that the NBA had appealed to the State Chief Judge to declare free days for lawyers during the conference.

 

 King Onunwor

The member representing Oyigbo State Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly,Hon. Prince Gerald Oforji, has received the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rainbow Coalition flag as he prepares to seek re-election in the 2027 general elections.
Oforji, a former Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Council, was among the returning lawmakers unveiled as candidates of the APC Rainbow Coalition at a ceremony held at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt last Tuesday.
The event attracted prominent political leaders from within and outside Rivers State, including the National Rainbow Coalition leader, Chief Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
The presentation of the flag to Oforji was greeted with enthusiastic cheers from supporters, reflecting the political support he enjoys in Oyigbo and the wider Rivers political landscape.
His emergence as the coalition’s candidate is a significant step in his bid to return to the State Assembly, where he has continued to participate in legislative activities representing the interests of his constituency.
Oforji is also regarded as one of the lawmakers who maintained strong political loyalty to Chief Wike during periods of intense political realignment in Rivers State, a position that has remained a notable feature of his political journey.
The mammoth crowd of supporters who accompanied him to the ceremony further underscored the enthusiasm surrounding his re-election bid and the political significance of his candidacy in Oyigbo.
With the presentation of the Rainbow Coalition flag, Oforji is set to enter the 2027 electoral contest under the APC platform, seeking another mandate to represent Oyigbo State Constituency.
His candidacy also adds another chapter to the political history of Oyigbo, particularly given his previous experience as local government chairman before his election to the State Assembly.
The Oforji family equally occupies a place in the political history of Oyigbo, with the late Precious Oforji remembered for his contributions to the area’s political development. The family’s legacy continues to feature in discussions about the constituency’s political evolution.
As the 2027 elections approach, Oforji’s re-election bid will place his record in the State Assembly, political alliances and relationship with his constituents at the centre of the contest for the Oyigbo seat.

Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Greece, Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe, has urged women in the Niger Delta to prioritise financial literacy, savings and investment as essential steps towards achieving financial stability and empowering their communities.
Akinkugbe made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Kilali Tribe Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The conference was held under the theme, “Her Voice, Her Power: Five Years of Impact.”
She stressed that financial independence would enable women to make informed decisions, pursue their aspirations and support others in building sustainable livelihoods.
According to her, women must acquire the financial knowledge needed to overcome barriers to economic empowerment and make meaningful contributions to their families and communities.
“The theme was about her voice and her impact, and I spoke about creative power, wealth and legacy. A critical part of this is financial knowledge, financial independence and being able to impact their own lives and the lives of others,” she said.
The former envoy maintained that financial stability was essential to effective community engagement, noting that women with adequate financial resources were better positioned to support others and contribute to development.
“You can make a huge difference in your community by being financially stable. It is very difficult to have power if you don’t have financial success, because you need money to be able to do things for other people and for your community,” she said.
Akinkugbe described her participation in the conference as a privilege, commending the Kilali Tribe for creating a platform that promotes women’s empowerment through mentorship, networking, knowledge-sharing and other developmental initiatives.
She said the organisation had provided women with opportunities to learn from one another, gain valuable experience and connect with individuals making significant contributions in different fields.
“The community that they have built and continue to build, the experience, the mentoring, the sponsorship, and learning from other women who are doing incredible things are fantastic. I am so happy to be here,” she added.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of Kilali Tribe, Dr Tonye Sekibo, said the organisation was established to make a positive impact on women and men, particularly those in the Niger Delta.
She explained that the annual conference was designed to inspire women, strengthen their capacity and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to pursue their dreams while contributing to the development of their communities and the region.
“We are a tribe about impacting women and men positively, particularly women and men in the Niger Delta,” Sekibo said.
She added that the conference was intended to recreate the inspiration that led to the formation of the Kilali Tribe five years ago while providing participants with practical opportunities for growth and empowerment.
According to her, the strong attendance at this year’s event and the contributions of the speakers demonstrated the importance of the platform in promoting women’s development.
Sekibo disclosed that the organisation had undertaken several initiatives, including mentoring women, organising webinars for secondary school students and sponsoring individuals for training at the Lagos Business School.
She also revealed that plans were underway to establish a Kilali Tribe Academy to expand the organisation’s capacity-building and empowerment programmes.
However, Sekibo identified cultural expectations, religious influences, economic limitations and prevailing mindsets as some of the challenges affecting women’s financial empowerment in the Niger Delta.
She noted that addressing these barriers would require sustained efforts to encourage women to embrace opportunities for personal development, financial independence and leadership.
“The greatest challenge, especially for women from our area, is our mindset, because we have been held back by culture, religion and the economy. All these things have held us back,” she said.
The conference brought together women and other participants to exchange experiences, share ideas and explore practical approaches to personal development, financial independence and community impact.
Through its mentorship programmes and annual gatherings, the Kilali Tribe continues to promote empowerment initiatives aimed at helping women realise their potential and contribute more effectively to the development of the Niger Delta.