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Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute To Complement NJI -Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has restated that the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute (JMOJI) in Port Harcourt was established to complement efforts of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in the provision of regular training of judicial officers in the country.
Wike made the remarks at the inauguration of the Governing Board of the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The Governing Board has as its chairman, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi with the President of Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Ihemnacho Wilfred Obuzor and Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor as members.
Other members are; Justice Essor Teetito, Justice Frank Onyiri, Justice Florence Fiberesima, Justice Ericonda Amadi, Justice Dr. Daketima Kio, Collins Ali and Betty Sunny-Hart.
Wike noted the importance of continuous training of judicial officers and support staff through workshops in performing their duties.
He said with the requisite officers and board members now commissioned, the Institute will begin to carry out its responsibilities and conduct not less than three training sessions yearly for judicial officers.
“I think the Institute will start off in earnest now. Like I said, this is not usurping the functions of the National Judicial Institute.
“This is just to complement efforts of the National Judicial Institute, because I find out that yearly, you have about three to four judges that go for training or workshops in the institute (NJI).
“But this will give you ample opportunity to go for workshops or training, three times in a year, and also enable the magistrates to be trained”, he said.
Wike added that in keeping with the establishing law, the Chief Judge of Rivers State has nominated members of the governing board for the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute, which have been commissioned.
The governor, therefore, stated that the institute will have no reason to complain for lack of performance because everything that is required has been provided including the N500million grant that was promised when the institute was inaugurated.
According to him, “It is important now that you can kickstart and please, give the required support of the governing board to the Institute to be able to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
“At least, before the year runs out, you must have carried out not less than three workshops, it’s very important. And of course, there must be regular publications.”
Determined that staff positions within the Institute are not sectionalised, Wike insisted that no one Rivers tribe should dominate the staff strength of the institute.
He acknowledged that already an Ogoni person has been appointed the Accountant General of the Institute, and stated that other positions should be distributed evenly among other tribes.
Governor Wike also informed the Chief Judge of Rivers State that his application seeking approval to employ 14 new magistrates has been approved.
He, however, instructed him to forward the demand for other level of staff, 350 persons as the required number of new staff in the Judiciary, to the Rivers State Civil Service Commission for proper documentation, interview and employment into the service.
In his response, on behalf of the board, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi expressed gratitude to Governor Wike for finding them fit and proper to become the pioneer board members of the institute.
Justice Amadi said they understand the essence of establishing the institute, which is to provide such training opportunities that will promote excellence among judicial staff.
According to him, they will do their best in discharging the duty, while also addressing the controversy that the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute is set up to undermine or compete with the National Judicial Institute in order for people to appreciate its complementary role to the NJI.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
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?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
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?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
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?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
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The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
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