Nation
Niger CJ Frees One Prisoner, Grants Bail To Four
The Chief Judge of Niger State, Halima Abdulmalik last Tuesday, granted bail to four and released one at Suleja Medium Custodial l Centre while she declined the requests for pardon by some inmates convicted for violent crimes at the Suleja Medium Custodial Centre.l
The release followed a review of a total of 61 cases bordering on murder, kidnap, and armed robbery among others during her visit to the centre , Tuesday in the exercise of her statutory duty of prerogative of mercy.
The chief judge, was accompanied by senior magistrates and other principal officials of the State’s Ministry of Justice,.
Declining the plea for pardon by some of the inmates , she explained during the visit , that such pardon cannot be granted to in mates with cases of heavy charges of violent crime , murder , robbery and related offences reviewed a total of 61 cases However four inmates at the detention facility were granted bail while one regained his freedom,.
A statement from the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza, said one of the released inmate, Abubakar Umar, expressed gratitude to the authorities for his freedom.However the details of the freed immate and those granted bail was not disclosed
The event was conducted by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Controller of Corrections, Francis John, who represented the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa.
The statement quoted the CJ as saying that custodial centre visits are statutory to ensure that justice is served.
Mrs Abdulmalik pledged to ensure that judges embrace the non-custodial service measures in the state as well as ensuring speedy access to justice.
She advised the released inmates to stay off crime and be good citizens .
The CJ also lauded the Nigerian Correctional Service for their support in providing security and ensuring adequate coordination of the inmates in the custodial centres during the exercise.
Mr John commended Mrs Abdulmalik for her timely intervention in reviewing inmates’ status at the facility.
He urged magistrates and judges in the state to adopt non-custodial sentencing.
He said such a measure would reduce the number of inmates going into the custodial centres, many of whom are being tried or convicted for minor offences.
Mr John also admonished the released inmates to be of good behaviour, adding that they ensure they getb engaged in meaningful and lawful trades to avoid falling into crimes again .
In a related event , the Prisons Chaplaincy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja , same day celebrated Easter with the in mates of the Suleja Prisons.
The event which has evolved as an annual event of the Church at Easter , was coordinated by the Chaplain, Fr Victor Nyoro and we’ll wishers of Prisons Directorate of the Archdiocese.
Highlights of the event were feeding of the inmates and evangelization .
Fr. Nyoro expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the welfare of the prisoners and showed them love even as they prayed for mercy of God upon them and total reconciliation with God .
Visitation and care of Prisoners is one of the corporal Works of Mercy of the Church .
Nation
ICT Centre Set To Be Establish In Omuku
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.
Nation
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations
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.
Nation
NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes on Investment in The Region
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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