Rivers

RSG, CJ Task Young Lawyers On Professionalism …As Wike Laments Poor Maintenance Of Law School

Published

2 years ago

October 25, 2023

The Rivers State Government has called on young up-coming lawyers to imbibe the virtue of integrity, hard work, excellence and perseverance which, he said, are the hallmarks of the legal profession.
The State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, made the call while delivering his goodwill message and declaring open the two-day 2023 Annual Summit organised by the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum with the theme, “Breaking Barriers, Creating Future Leaders in Nigeria from the Present and next Generation of Young Lawyers”, held at the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute in Port Harcourt, weekend.
Governor Fubara, who was represented on the occasion by the State Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zaccheaus Adangor, said the theme of the summit has a lofty idea and aspiration that are essential in providing leadership, not only in Nigeria, but also across the globe.
The State Chief Executive told the gathering that as young lawyers, they must strive for hard work, perseverance and confine themselves to the ethical standards of integrity, honesty, and transparency, stressing that it was on such virtues that lawyers are trained to provide leadership in the society .
He expressed worry that most lawyers, especially the young once, are more concerned about get rich syndrome instead of striving for hard work and integrity.
“I am not against making money, but you have to strive for excellence first as a leader and perseverance, then money will come”, he stated
Governor Fubara assured that the state government would continue to play its supporting roles to the legal profession, especially in the development of the young lawyers, adding, that was what informed the past administration to assist the various branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the State with N50 million each.
“Lawyers are the only professionals trained in the administration of rule of law and protection of human rights in the society, so you must strive for integrity and excellence in the pursuit of your professional responsibilities”, he urged,
Also speaking, the State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, described the young lawyers as pivotal and essential strength in the practice of the law profession.
Among other things, he urged them to strive in developing their educational careers, and be involved in leadership and mentoring, such as building bridges among their seniors and colleagues, adding that in doing so, they will be able to break barriers in the legal practice.
Earlier, Chairman, NBA, Young Lawyers Forum, Port Harcourt Branch, Shedrack Enebeli, said, as young lawyers, they needed to harness the abundant potentials of the country and appealed for the platform to excel in the profession.
Enebeli stated that members of the forum were willing to use their potentials to contribute to the development of the legal profession and the nation at large.
“It is important to note that this summit is not merely an event but a call to action. Nigerians, especially the youths, have expressed joy over the appointment of young Nigerians of diverse expertise into sensitive positions of authority and trust by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to foster inclusivity in the leadership of the country”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has lamented what he called the poor maintenance culture in the Nigeria Legal Education, particularly at the Port Harcourt Campus of the Nigerian Law School.
Wike expressed his dissatisfaction while delivering his keynote address at the 2023 Annual Summit, saying that his administration initiated, built and equipped the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt Campus, stressing that with the huge resources invested in the magnificent structures, the present state of the law school was an embarrassment.
He, however, expressed optimism that the future leaders of the country would emerge among them, stating that it was one of the reasons the Rivers State Government, under his administration, took up the project and ensured its actualisation.
He said he had told the Director General of the Law School that he was highly disappointed at the condition of the Law School, considering the huge investment made by his administration to forestall the present rot.
“Go to that school, you will see that grass has taken over the place. We even went further to build stores and shops so that they can rent them out to maintain the school. It is easy to criticise those in authority, but when you are given (authority), you can’t perform”, he stated.
The Minister noted several challenges impeding the growth of young lawyers and urged government, prominent private legal practitioners, and firms to encourage the forum for professional advancement and fulfilment.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Rivers

NSE Members Tasked On National Dev

Published

2 days ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, have been urged to work hard towards contributing to national development. This call was made at the recent induction of new members by the Port Harcourt branch of the Society. The induction ceremony was used to formally welcome new members and celebrate its elevated new fellows.

Speaking during the ceremony held a in Port Harcourt, the Branch Chairman, Engr. Idaeresoari Ateke Harriet, FNSE, called on members of the NSE to actively participate in the Society’s professional and technical activities in order to contribute meaningfully to national development. He congratulated the new inductees, describing their admission as a testament to their hard work and resilience.

Engr. Ateke also commended the new Fellows for their immense contributions to the engineering profession, reminding them that their elevation is a call to greater responsibility as mentors and role models.

The event featured a lecture by Engr. Prof. Steve Odi-Owei, FNSE, on “Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.” The Chairman noted that Nigeria’s maritime and aquatic resources remain largely untapped, adding that engineers have a crucial role to play in harnessing these resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability.

He thanked the first female President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, other dignitaries, sponsors, and families of inductees for gracing the occasion.

Also, engineers, especially those in Rivers State have been advised to adhere strictly to the core ethics of the profession and to always uphold the professional ethics of the body.

This advice was given by an engineering expert, Basoene Benibo, in an interview with at the sidelines of the induction ceremony and Fellowship celebration of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

Benibo stressed the need for young engineers in the state to learn and improve on their skills by tapping from the wealth of experience of older professionals in the field to enable them excel.

Benibo, who is a one-time Chairman of the Port Harcourt Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, also noted and hailed the efforts of the society in eliminating quackery in the engineering profession.

Some of the new fellows include Prof Jackson Akpa, Pereowei Jose’s and Telema Osima, while the inductees, Engr Mrs Lizzy Onwuso, Engr David Jonathan jnr and Worlu Emmanuel expressed joy in being found worthy to become full NSE members, believing that it would enable them have access to more knowledge, practice rightly and impact the society positively.

Rivers

VALVA Restates Commitment Education Advancement, Literacy In Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

The President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Dominic Amenaghawon Omokaro, has expressed deep commitment to the advancement of education and literacy in Nigeria through the library system.

Speaking through his state Chairman Dr. Chidara Okachukwu Nyemezu, at the formal Launching/inauguration of the Vanguard for Library Visibility And Advocacy (VALVA) at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt recently, Omokaro discribed the inauguration of the new body as a significant and passionate movement aimed at shining the spotlight on one of the underappreciated yet critical institution in Nigeria’s educational system and national development.

“We are gathered here not just to launch a group, but to launch a vision and ignite a movement to reinforce a mission to make libraries visible and valuable again for our people”, he said.

Dr. Omokaro stated that the birth of VALVA is based of the recognition that libraries, particularly school libraries, are the bedrock of promoting a reading and research culture that includes innovation and lifelong learning in the society, though the system is grossly underfunded and poorly equipped in many cases.

He recalled the theme of its first week under his watch, “Library System for National Development in 2022”, which he hinted was driven by the state chapters.

He explained that the inauguration of VALVA shows an important mission to promote the visibility and development with impact on schools and other libraries through strategic advocacy that will advance quality education and foster lifelong learning culture in Nigeria.

“The vision is clear to promote the visibility where every school and indeed every community will have access to a functional library managed by a professional Liberian”, he said.

Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the event, the founder of the VALVA, Dr. Juliet C. Akex-Nmec, stressed that no society can grow without a functional and effective library.

She urged government at all levels to ensure the establishment of effective and functional libraries across the country.

Dr. Alex-Nmec, who is also an Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, called for the appointment of a Special Adviser on Library matters by the state government in order to assist the government on Library matters.

High point of the event was the formal inaugural of the new body and oath of offices to the new executive.

Akujobi Amadi

Rivers

Four Internet Fraudstars Get Different Jail Terms In PH

Published

3 days ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided by Justices P. I. Ajoku, P. I. Ayua and S. I. Mark has convicted and sentenced four middle aged men to various jail terms over their involvement in fraud.

They are Daniel Ebubechi Chinweobo, Timi Olamide Samuel, Chibueze Thaddeus Ugochukwu, and Emmanuel Linus, who may be dwellers on the Port Harcourt Correctional facility until their bail conditions are met.

Their prosecution is at the instance of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate charges.

The charges, the Court noted, bordered on impersonation, Advance Fee Fraud, and Obtaining Money under false pretence.

The charge against Chinweobo reads: “That you, Daniel Ebubechi Chinweobo (a.k.a. Philip James) sometime in 2024, in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently obtained the sum of One Thousand Great Britain Pounds (£1,000 only), from Marinela Gabriela, a Caucasian American, when you represented yourself to be Philip James, a military man from California, serving in Syria, who pretended to be in a marital relationship with Marinela Gabriela, which pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (b) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

That of Ugochukwu reads: “That you, Chibueze Thaddeus Ugochukwu, on or about the 14th day of May, 2025, at Alakhahia axis of Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently obtained from one Grey the sum of Eight Hundred United States of America dollars ($800 only), under the false pretence that you are Amanda Pappers, a citizen of the United States of America which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

They all pleaded guilty to their charges, following which prosecution counsels, A. Chukwuegwu and G. C Ngborokwu, tendered incriminating documents in evidence against them and urged the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.

The Defence counsels, G. N. Chukwu, Yemi Ogunleye, A. O. Secondus and Chigozie Umunnakwem, on their part, prayed the courts to temper justice with mercy on the ground that the defendants were first time offenders.

Justice Ajoku, however, convicted and sentenced Chinweobo and Linus to 30 months in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, each or to pay N200,000 respectively.

Their sentences are to run concurrently and began from the date of their arrest.

Justice Ajua convicted and sentenced Ugochukwu to one year jail term or to pay 50,000 fine, while Justice Mark convicted and sentenced Samuel to two years in prison or to pay N900,000 fine.

In addition to their jail terms, they deposed to affidavit of good behaviour and forfeited a Techno mobile phone, a Samsung Galaxy phone, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone X, iPhone 16 Pro, an iPad and Lexus ES 350, recovered from them at the scene of their arrest to the Federal Government.

The convicts’ journey to the correctional centre began with their arrest by the Commission, sometime in April, 2025, following credible intelligence that exposed their fraudulent internet activities in Port Harcourt.

King Onunwor