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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.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.