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Kogi ACJ Condemns Corrupt Practices Among Judges

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The Acting Chief Judge, Kogi State, Hon. Justice Josiah Majebi, has condemned corrupt practices among judges upon a critical evaluation of the negative effect of the menace on the integrity of institutions in the country.
Majebi noted that the Council of Judges have arrived at the conclusion that urgent measures must be taken not to allow it to fester in the state’s Judiciary.
Justice Majebi made this disclosure during an interactive session he held with the Magistrates at the Judiciary headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State.
According to him, the Council would not hesitate at sanctioning any Judicial Officer or supporting staff of the court  found wanting in that regard as the public would be encouraged to maximise the opportunity provided by the whistleblowing window to expose errant ones.
“We have decided to set up Public Complaints Unit and give out phone numbers and let the public be aware that any of our Magistrates and Area Court Judges involved in corruption can be reported through that process.
“So we are encouraging whistleblowing and you don’t need to turn or work against it if you do what is right at the right time. You, therefore, need to be vigilant to know what is happening in your courts,” he added.
The CJ, who said the state already has 72 Magistrates and would not be appointing new ones, harps on a generally held view of corrupt-related activities in the nation’s Judiciary that lower court Judges must resist.
He stated that feeders from the executive arm indicated that relevant documents submitted to the Governor detailing the needs of the Magistrates were already receiving desired attention, adding that the results would soon manifest in the improved working conditions of the Magistrates.
Majebi further announced the formation of a Public Complaint Unit of the High Court which was imbued with whistleblowing mechanisms, urging the Magistrates and Judges of lower courts in the state as well as other staff to shun corruption.
He said the establishment of the unit was informed by the need to accommodate the public view of the Judiciary and deal with complaints arising from the performance of lower courts in the state.
“The enormity of the financial requirements of the High Court of Justice ecosystem was high and had been presented to the governor for which a commitment has been made.

“Unlike other courts, the High Court has 274 courts spread across the state which requires that more deliverable attention be paid to it,” he said

The Acting CJ expressed gratitude that the government of the day was already giving the needed attention that would favour Magistrates, staff and all other segments of the court.

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ICT Centre Set To Be Establish In Omuku

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An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.

As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.

The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.

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Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations

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Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.

The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.

According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors

‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”

It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees

“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”

The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said

It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development

Earlier,  chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.

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NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes on Investment in The Region

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The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture  NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.

The two leaders  spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt

Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.

He said no other persons can  do this except sons and daughters from the region.

“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.

“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.

Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment  as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.

Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.

“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved  our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.

The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.

He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.

 

John Bibor

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