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Amaechi Faults Tinubu’s Declaration Of ‘State Of Emergency’ In Rivers

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Former Minister of Transport and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Amaechi described the action as a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democracy and an abuse of constitutional authority.
He condemned the suspension of the state’s Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, calling it reckless and undemocratic.
In a personally signed statement titled, “My Immediate Reaction To The Undemocratic, Unconstitutional Suspension Of Elected State Officials In Rivers State”, Amaechi urged the National Assembly to reject this presidential declaration.
Amaechi argued that the president’s action undermines the democratic process and violates the Nigerian Constitution.
He noted that the Nigerian Constitution, particularly Section 188, clearly outlines the procedures for removing a state governor from office.
According to him, the constitution does not grant the President the power to unilaterally remove elected officials through a proclamation or decree.
By suspending the Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the State Assembly, Amaechi accused the President of “acting outside his constitutional authority, effectively undermining democracy in Rivers State”.
The former Governor expressed concern that “such actions threaten not only the stability of Rivers State, but also the democratic integrity of the entire country”.
He insisted that the President’s suspension of key democratic institutions in the state cannot be justified, even under Section 305 of the Constitution, which the president cited in his broadcast.
Amaechi suggested that this move was part of a larger orchestrated plot by certain individuals to seize control of power in Rivers State without the mandate of the people.
He warned that these actions reflect a broader pattern of undemocratic behavior aimed at imposing unconstitutional authority.
Amaechi called on all Nigerians, especially those with influence and power, to rise against what he described as an “audacious violation of the constitution and an assault on democracy”.
He urged members of the National Assembly, political leaders, and the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to oppose the president’s actions.
Amaechi, a former Minister of Transport, emphasized that governors and legislators have a critical role to play in defending the country’s democratic structure and preventing Nigeria’s descent into totalitarianism.
As a former chairman of the NGF, Amaechi highlighted the importance of state governors in safeguarding democracy.
He commended those who had already condemned the suspension and encouraged more leaders to speak out against what he called a clear illegality.
According to Amaechi, silence in the face of such constitutional violations would only embolden anti-democratic forces.
He ended his statement by reaffirming that “the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State was a serious and dangerous attack on Nigeria’s democracy and constitution, one that must not be allowed to stand”.
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Rivers Judges Resumes Duty After Easter Holidays

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Judges of the High Court, Rivers State state Port Harcourt have resumed their normal Court sitting on Wednesday 30th April 2025 after spending fifteen days this year’s Easter holidays.

It will be recalled that the State High Court Judges had proceeded on Easter vacation on Monday April 14 to 29th ,2025 on the approval of the state chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi.

A statement signed by the Chief Registrar, High Court Rivers State, Port Harcourt, David Ihua _maduenyi, esq said the judges are to resume court sitting on Wednesday 30th April, 2025 in line with the earlier directives from the state chief judge and urged the general public to take notice of the resumption date.

“This is to inform the general public that the judges of the High court of the Rivers state shall resume normal Court sitting after Easter vacation on Wednesday, 30th April, 2025.

“Recall that the chief judge of Rivers state, Hon justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi had earlier directed that judges of the high court of Rivers state, should proceed on Easter vacation from Monday, 18 April 2025 to Tuesday, 29th April, 2025.”

“The general public should take notice:the High court of Rivers state shall resume sitting on Wednesday, 30th April 2025.”

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RSU Promotes Staff Well Being through Free Medical Checks

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The Management of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, has approved annual free medical checks for all staff of the University. The move is to promote staff sound health and productivity at work place.

 

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, disclosed this during the third edition of the “Walk for Life” health, wellness and fitness exercise, held last Saturday.

 

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the new health policy will enable every staff member of the University to undergo free comprehensive medical check-up on their birthdays, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to promoting the health and wellbeing of staff members.

 

Professor Zeb-Obipi emphasized that regardless of whether a staff member’s birthday falls on a weekend, the initiative applies to all Rivers State University employees, expressing optimism that the Health Services Department has the required manpower and facilities to manage the novel health policy.

 

To achieve the policy, the VC said that the Establishment Division will liaise with the Health Services to compile the birthdays of all staff and send notification two or three days before the days their birthdays fall, reminding them to go for their free medical check-up.

 

Highlighting the importance of active leadership, the Vice-Chancellor stated that leadership requires direct engagement with the people, a principle he called “management by walking the floor,” rather than managing from behind closed doors. He emphasized that policies should be crafted from direct engagement with employees to understand their challenges.

 

He noted that this edition of the “Walk for Life” health fitness programme serves as a practical example of this management style, allowing him to interact with members of the university community and observe firsthand the need for regular health checks. He described the walk as a “worthy exercise,” pointing out that since most university work is sedentary, periodic physical activities such as the Walk for Life are crucial for the health and productivity of the staff.

 

The Vice-Chancellor also noted that this month’s “Walk for Life” coincides with the World Malaria Week, underlining the University’s commitment to supporting global health initiatives with the pledge that “Malaria must end with us.”.

 

Earlier, the Director of Health Services Department, Dr. Dagogo Cookey-Gam, charged the university community to visit the Medical Centre for testing before treatment of malaria. He said parents should watch out for children under 5 years because they can come under severe malaria attack, adding that pregnant women should also be mindful not to be exposed of having malaria due to their low immune system.

 

Dr. Cookey-Gam noted that malaria can be prevented by maintaining a clean environment and using mosquito nets.

 

On his part, the Director of the University Sports Unit, Prof. Joseph Vipene, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for sustaining the monthly “Walk for Life” initiative, assuring that the programme which has come to stay has placed the University in an enviable position for others to emulate.

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Police Investigate Officer’s Suicide In PH

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The Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the commencement of an investigation into the death of a police officer who allegedly took his own life in Port Harcourt.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
“We received a report about an officer who allegedly killed himself.
“However, we are currently investigating the report to ascertain what transpired”, she stated.
Iringe-Koko reported that the Commissioner of Police in the Sstate, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for a thorough investigation.
According to viral reports Monday, Insp. Maxwell Zabu, formerly a security detail to Victor Ihunwo, a former Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council, allegedly shot himself at Ihunwo’s residence in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt.
A source familiar with the incident said the matter was reported to the Azikiwe Police Division in the area.
“Following the report, detectives from the division visited the scene as part of preliminary investigation procedures”, the source added.

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