News
‘Wike, Adherent Of Rule Of Law’
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that his administration will continue to uphold the rule of law in the appointment of Acting Chief Judge of the state, noting that the state judiciary will never be dragged into unnecessary crisis under his leadership.
Speaking during the special valedictory court session for the retiring Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said that succession in the Rivers State Judiciary will only follow due process.
He said that those who expected him to go the way of the immediate past governor who destroyed the judiciary for personal reasons, were disappointed as he remained steadfast in upholding the law.
According to him: “Never again will the state courts be closed as a result of avoidable crisis of succession. Like I pledged, I will always respect due process in the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge”.
Wike commended the retiring Rivers State Chief Judge for her uprightness, saying that Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha has uplifted the state Judiciary in her short stay in office.
While praying God to continue to bless her in her future endeavours, Governor Wike said:”her elevation as the first female Chief Judge of the State process that nobody can play God”.
In his remarks, Rivers State Attorney General, Emmanuel Aguma, SAN, said that the emergence of Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha as the Chief Judge of the state is a victory for the rule of law.
Speaking on behalf of the body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Rivers State, Chief Moses Wifa, SAN, praised Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha for her exemplary conduct on the bench.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, Mr Denis Okwakpam said that the retiring Chief Judge was an impartial arbiter who always upheld the constitution.
Acting President of the Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Christy Gabriel-Nwankwo said that members of the bench would continue to count on the advice of Justice Okocha.
Responding, retiring Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha commended Governor Nyesom Wike for his respect for the constitution.
She said that in her short stay in office, she was able to improve the State Judiciary.
Earlier, Wike had attended a valedictory church service held in honour of the retiring Rivers State Chief Judge at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
-
News19 hours ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics3 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News20 hours ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports3 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics3 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics3 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Politics3 days agoOtu Vows To Recall Indolent, Arrogant Cross River Legislators