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CJN, Fubara, Others Eulogise Mary Odili
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has congratulated Hon. Justice Mary Odili, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, whose one year tenure as Chairman, Body of Benchers has come to an end.
The CJN described Justice Odili as a lady of great integrity whose intellectual credentials stand out in the discharge of her duties.
Ariwoola said this last Thursday while delivering a speech at the send forth party in honour of Hon Justice Mary Odili as the outgoing Chairman, Body of Benchers at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement by Media Advisor to the Odili Family, Emma Okah.
Justice Odili bowed out last Thursday as the Chairman of Body of Benchers and was succeeded by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.
While commending her dedication to duty and untiring efforts to raise the integrity bar of the Legal Profession, the CJN said that Justice Odili was effective and made sterling contributions during her tenure as the Chairman, Body of Benchers.
According to the CJN, “Your tenure as the Chairman of this August Body witnessed many remarkable achievements geared towards the development of the Legal Profession. Your passion and service to the Body of Benchers cannot be overemphasised nor downplayed as you have boldly written your name in gold in the annals of this August Body”.
Also speaking at the event, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, described Justice Odili as a seasoned Jurist whose outstanding career in the bench reflected the discipline and intellectual hardwork that she brought to bear while serving in the Bench.
According to Fubara, those who have followed the career growth of Justice Odili and her accomplishments would agree that what you put in is what you get out. In other words, like one motor company once said, “Good thinking, Good product”, he said
The governor said, “Hon Justice Mary Odili rose from the ranks up to the High Court and from there, she was promoted to the Court of Appeal and finally to the Supreme Court. Those are lines of diligent work and commitment to duty. You also saw the documentary that was shown. So, when it comes to her life as a judicial officer, the records are there and it is only a good product that can beget a good product”, noting that this is the reason why she is excellent in what she is giving out.
Delivering his goodwill message at the event, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who was represented by Amb. Humphrey Orjiakor, congratulated Justice Odili for a successful tenure in office and described her as a round peg in a round hole.
He noted that Justice Odili was a great woman whose contributions to the growth and development of the Bench and the Bar as well as her commitment to truth, patriotism and rule of law remained unquestionable.
Also speaking at the occasion, the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said Justice Odili left no one in doubt that she had set out to make a difference in the Body of Benchers by constantly discharging her responsibilities with ease.
According to her, Justice Odili’s one year tenure as Chairman, Body of Benchers was not only remarkable but a millenium of good working relationship with the Bench and the Bar.
She noted that “Justice Odili championed the cause of improving the welfare of judicial officers and pursued the amendment of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee Rules to enthrone a more disciplined legal profession”
Justice Odili’s successor, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, in his address, said his predecessor left a big shoes for him, extolling Odili’s sterling qualities and creativity in managing the affairs of the Body.
While congratulating her for a successful tenure in office, he pledged to continue to pray to be able to maintain the standard of leadership that Justice Odili had set in the Body of Benchers.
Speaking in the same vein and on behalf of Chairmen of Committees of the Body of Benchers, Rafiu Lawal-Rabana, SAN, noted that the one year tenure of Justice Mary Odili, even though short, was eventful and remarkable for initiating some positive changes including setting up a management committee comprising of Chairmen of Committees of the Body.
According to him, Justice Odili’s candor, humility and diplomacy in approaching issues earned her the respect of everyone in the Body of Benchers, noting that “history will judge her as contributing positively to the growth of the Legal Profession and working towards enhancing the welfare and work environment for the judiciary”.
Speaking on behalf of the Odili family, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, who is the first daughter of Justice Mary Odili, described her mother as a calm, intelligent, humble and caring woman.
“She paid attention to everyone in the house and walked them through the various paths they needed to succeed and even in marriage, she remained a support pillar for all of them in the house”, she said.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of Award and Medal to the outgoing Justice Odili, performed by the CJN, while the incoming Chairman of the Body of Benchers Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN officiated the cutting of the cake to mark the end of her tenure.
Other dignitaries at the event included Justices of the Supreme Court and Justices of other jurisdictions; members of Body of Benchers, SANs, Presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale; Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi; Senator Ben Obi and wife; Chief (Dr) Abiye Sekibo, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Hon Awaji-Inonbek Abiante, among others.
News
Elder Statesman, Others Emerge PH Boat Club’s New Officials
The Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 has elected new officers to pilot its affairs.
An elder statesman and staunch supporter of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart emerged the club’s Secretary.
Sir Hart’s emergence followed an election conducted by the electoral committee over the weekend which threw up new officials to pilot its affairs at its corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The election which was adjudged one of the most credible, fairest and freest elections in the annals of the Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947, saw the emergence of Dan Harrison as Chairman.
Other members elected to run the activities of the body are Chief Coker Jimmy, Dr Oma Awoh, Chief Bib- Manuel Afonya, Dawari Dingo, Dango Kala- Otaji, Bara Alagoma and Dago George.
Recall that Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 was founded by the former Military Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.
Many years after its inception, the club is still waxing strong with notable personalities as members.
Former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief AbiyeSekibo is also a prominent member of the club.
The elected officials including Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart were subsequently sworn in, signalling a new chapter for the revered group of bigwigs in the oil- rich region.
With the likes of an elder statesman, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart on board, the narrative has changed for Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 as expectations are high.
The newly elected boat Secretary, Sir Fubara Hart promised to work assiduously with the chairman and other members to chart a new course for the esteemed club.
He said efforts are in top gear to enroll new members who will contribute their quota to the advancement of the club.
Sir Hart described his emergence as an act of God, promising to support the new leadership to achieve the desired objective.
He hinted that the core values of the club would be upheld with vigour, saying working in synergy with the principles laid down by its founders remains their watchword.
He said the rules and regulations of the club shall be sustained in the interest of the club and every legitimate member.
News
New Oneh Eta Akpajo Emerges
The Akpajo Clan in Eleme Local Government Area was recently agog with activities following the coronation of HRH Emere Sunday Obo as the Oneh Eta Akpajo XII/paramount ruler of Akpajo clan in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Emere Obo was crowned by the traditional staff bearer of the clan, Chief Joseph Goka on behalf of the land priests at the community square.
Before his coronation, the new King was an acting traditional ruler of the community since the death of his predecessor, Emere Friedrich on the 11th of January, 2023.
He was also a member of the late King’s Council of Chiefs and member of Nchia and Eleme Council of Chiefs respectively.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his coronation,the new Akpajo monarch said his reign will usher in peace and prosperity to the Kingdom.
He said he intends to work together with the government and companies operating in the Kingdom to attract development to Akpajo clan.
According to the monarch, he will always seek the advice of his elders and other clansmen before taking any decisions.
“I have promised them that I cannot use my authority to do anything without hearing from them first,” he said.
Emere Obo also stressed the need for the youths in the area to toe the path of peace, adding that as a traditional ruler, his responsibility is to ensure that Akpajo clan remains peaceful.
He also assured the government of support and praised both past and current administrations in the State for siting projects in the community.
Also speaking , the traditional staff bearer of the clan, Chief Joseph Goka said Emere Obo’s installation was in line with the customs and traditions of Akpajo Kingdom.
He also told newsmen that the king makers have not received any protest from any quarters concerning the installation since the process started months ago.
Chief Goka equally said his crowning of the monarch was based on instructions from the clan’s land priests and expressed optimism that Emere Obo is capable of representing the clan Traditionally and other wise.
Chief Goka described Emere Obo as trustworthy and law-abiding, adding that having worked with the late traditional ruler, Emere Obo has a full knowledge of the customs and traditions of not only Akpajo clan but the entire Eleme Kingdom.
He assured the new monarch of the support of the people of Akpajo and the entire traditional institution in the area.
Also speaking, one of the community’s land priests, Levy Kattey Jumaa said the installation of the new Akpajo monarch was in line with the customs and traditions of Akpajo and Eleme kingdom.
According to him, the new King has all the qualities expected from a chief in Eleme land, stressing that Emere Obo was only ascending the throne of his fathers having come from the royal family of Akpajo Kingdom.
He urged the public to disregard any insinuations concerning the installation, ”if at all there is any,” adding that it is only the land priests families that talk about kingship installations in Akpajo and Eleme and no other persons outside the land priests families can do that.
By: John Bibor
News
Awo Idemili Community May Become Ghost Town If
If urgent steps are not taken by concerned authorities, the Awo Idemili community in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State may become a ghost town, due to incessant killings, arson and kidnapping of residents by some alleged criminal elements suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB).
The Tide’s sourc learnt that a certain family, the Emenikes, said the only possible solution to save the lives of the family members and that of others was to seek protection in a foreign land.
According to sources, one of the family members, Mr Peter Emenike was adbucted and murdered in a gruesome manner by people believed to be members of the IPOB recently.
It was further learnt that Peter Emenike, now deceased, was the Personal Assistant to the Imo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Traditional Matters and was never a member of any secret organisation as to warrant the fate that befell him.
His only offence as further gathered, was an alleged intelligence leaked to the Imo Government which the IPOB framed up in order to get him and his family members nailed.
It also learnt on a good authority that Peter Emenike’s lifeless body alongside that of his wife was found at their residence in Awo – Idemili, Imo State on 14th November, 2024 .
It was also reported that few days later, some family members of the Emenike family were declared missing and as one of them was found dead by a bush path, while others were still held hostage as at when this report was filed.
The Tide’s source claimed that a letter purportedly written by the IPOB members was delivered and dropped inside the car of the deceased bearing the insignia of the IPOB with the inscription: ‘None of your family members can hide for long’.
Unconfirmed report has it that the family, out of fear could not immediately report the matter to the Imo State Police Command as the group is believed to possess some spiritual powers to identify their perceived enemies from afar.
The family members of the deceased including oneMr Daniel Emenike, Boniface Emenike , Paul Emenike and others are now under serious threat by the separatist group (IPOB), thus the urgent need for protection especially in a foreign land.
A security analyst who pleaded anolmity, warned that the assassination of Peter Emenike and the serial killings and abduction of his family members stood as a signal to a new phase of IPOB’s operations .
“ This is not an attack on one family , but on the nation and our collective safety . The government must act swiftly not just to rescue the family but to reaffirm their stance on zero tolerance to terrorism “ he said .
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