Niger Delta

Wifa Advocates Financial Autonomy For Judiciary

Published

7 years ago

July 17, 2019

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Rivers State, Barinua Moses Wifa, has advocated financial autonomy for the judiciary in order to guarantee its independence.
Wifa who stated this during a chat with newsmen at an event to mark his 83rd birthday in Port Harcourt, said it did not make any sense for the judicial arm of government to be at the mercy of the executive for its finances.
The legal luminary explained that the judiciary ought to be the strongest arm of government, but regretted that by some contraption, the system had made the judiciary the weaker partner.
“My view about this from time has been that not only do you need it as a first line charge, you need a certain amount. There are three department of states, not arms of government. The executive, the legislature and the judiciary.
“The judiciary ought to always be the strongest, but by some contrivance, constitutional, political contrivance they make the judiciary the weaker partner in this arrangement. Otherwise the judiciary should have about a third of the revenue net distributable income of the economy of the federation to manage its affairs as a first line charge,” he explained.
Wifa also called for stronger institutions to address delay in the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria, pointing out that for this to happen, the judiciary must be well funded and managed by men of integrity.
“We need to build strong institutions. And you need money and people of integrity to build strong institutions. Is Nigeria ready to build strong institutions, provide the money and try and source for men of integrity?
“You know how many persons are in custody awaiting trial? They can’t just walk out there. Cases have to be filed in Court and those cases in court have to be prosecuted. You need men, you need buildings, you need all of these things to move the criminal justice forward,” Wifa stated.
On local government autonomy, the former Attorney-General of the State and Commissioner for Justice stated that it would be a breach of the Constitution if the Federal Government goes ahead to release monthly allocation to local governments accounts by by-passing State Governments.
While saying he supports autonomy of local governments, the legal luminary, however, advised the federal government to amend the constitution before implementing the policy.
“Section 162, sub-section 6 are there. They tied the revenue of local governments to that of states. Unless you cut that umbilical cord so that you free those funds, it would be unconstitutional to now say okay go there, just go there and collect your money.
It is not right.
“Even by what they call executive order, they cannot amend the constitution by executive order. It is very simple. Go and amend the constitution,” he said.

Dennis Naku

Niger Delta

INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.

Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.

The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.

“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.

“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.

“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.

The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.

He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.