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Wike Approves N500m Grant, As CJN Unveils Judicial Institute …You’re Shining Light Of Legal Profession, Ariwoola Tells Rivers Gov
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has approved the release of N500million as take off grant for the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute (JMOJI) in Port Harcourt.
Wike announced the grant at the inauguration of Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute, performed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, last Friday.
Also inaugurated was the Federal Judicial Service Commission, South-South Liaison Office in Port Harcourt.
Wike pointed out that availability of money was important for the institute to start off its operations immediately after the inauguration.
“I have made my budget presentation and it was not included. I’ve told the commissioner of finance, now that the budget has not be approved, make sure it is included in the 2023 budget.
“But to start off for now until next year budget will be released, we are making a grant to them of N500million so that the institute can start immediately and so that we can have the full benefit”.
Wike observed that the National Judicial Institute (NJI), which was saddled with the responsibility of training judges and magistrates yearly, has the challenge of carrying capacity.
He said this means that not every judge and magistrate billed for the continuous training exercise would be lucky for admission in any current year of such request.
Wike emphasised that it was this gap that the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute has come to fill, so that judges and magistrates can regularly access training and education opportunities in Nigeria.
“Actually, if Nigeria is operating a true federal system, there is nothing wrong for states having their own judicial institute that will train judges who, of course, apply the laws, preside over matters that affect the state and business around here.
“But we thank God today, that the Federal Government through the CJN has approved it. What we are doing is to complement the efforts of NJI.
“We are not taking over the functions of NJI. We are only complementing, so that our own judges will be ahead of other states.”
The governor also explained that the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute would be willing to accommodate other judges and magistrates that would be referred to it by NJI and train them free of charge.
“We can also allow them free of charge to come for training here in order to reduce the financial implication of sending most of the judges in the South-South to go to Abuja”.
Speaking further, Wike hinted on the need to amend the Judicial Institute Law No. 8 of 2021 establishing the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute in order to strengthen its operational and financial independence.
“For us, it is not only a Judicial Institute; in fact, I’ve called the attention of the Attorney General to it. And from what the chief judge read today, I will seek for amendment by Monday because there are so many things I’m not too comfortable with.
“Because I want a body that, of course, you’ll have supervision over but it will not look like the supervision that will hamper the working of the institute.
“I want where the institute will be just like you have the arbitration court; you have the family court; and the rest where budget is being made for them. There will be a different budget for this institute so that we know that it is working.”
Wike explained that the institute was named after Justice Odili, a renowned jurist of Rivers State extraction, who ranked as the first to have rose from the magistracy to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and returned with unblemished record of service.
He explained that the land where the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute was located, beside the State Judiciary Complex, was formerly owned by the default Nigerian Airways.
According to him, the dilapidated and abandoned buildings there became a hideout for criminals, hence the decision of the Rivers State Government to acquire the property, and use it for public good.
Performing the inauguration, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, said that Wike was one lawyer in position of authority who has remained relentless in speaking up for the growth, progress and prosperity of the Nigerian Judiciary.
“You have thus far given a good account of yourself as distinguished life bencher. To say we are proud of you is an understatement. You remain a shining light in the legal profession, and we shall always remember you for your unflinching support in the erection of enduring judicial structure in the country.”
Ariwoola also stated further, “At this level of our national development, we should begin to emulate good things that will usher in a new dawn of progressive growth. This is, no doubt, a bold step worthy of commendation and emulation.
“You are one of the few governors who have pledged to give judges owner-occupier residences so that when they eventually retire, they will get a life time accommodation.
“Today, that pledge has not only been fulfilled but has formed part of our history. Your efforts will tremendously improve the service delivery and comfort of our judicial officers.”
In her speech, Justice Mary Odili said she and her husband had tried, in vain, in finding best way to thank Wike for his benevolence to them, including the naming of the institute after her.
She submitted that since it was difficult to do so, and she can never repay Wike for all that he has done for them; they have presented him and his family to the Almighty God for the adequate reward due him.
Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, explained that the inauguration of the institute signifies the actualisation of the enabling law that Wike signed in 2021.
Amadi said it was on October 12, 2021 that Wike signed into law the Rivers State Judicial Institute Law No. 8 2021 that has a Board of Governors and an administrator who cater to the day-to-day affairs of the institute.
On his part, the Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, said the institute would promote efficiency, effective and speedy delivery of justice in the state.
Speaking on behalf of Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Onueze C.J. Okocha, said the institute would improve the efficiency of judges and magistrates in Rivers State.
Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the scheme in the State.
Fubara gave the assurance last Friday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area in the State, during the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch B Stream II orientation course.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Promise Oguzie, the governor said the State Government would remain intentional in providing the necessary support to improve the NYSC scheme and enhance the experiences of corps members deployed to the state.
He charged the corps members to be role models and quality nation-builders in their service to the good people of Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria at large.
“I charge you to be exemplary, dedicated and committed in all you do. Take full advantage of all the camp programmes and activities to enrich yourselves”, he said.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe, urged corps members to see their deployment to Rivers State as a “veritable opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the growth of the State in particular and Nigeria at large.”
He further charged them to serve with all sense of “integrity, discipline, and the fear of God, especially when they will be engaged as INEC ad-hoc staff that will conduct the 2027 general elections.”
A total of 3,584 corps members composed of 1,421 males and 2,163 females were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who was represented by Justice Godspower Aguma.
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
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