Rivers
Human Capital Dev, My Greatest Achievement – Awortu
The Chairman of Andoni Local Government Council, Barrister Erastus Awortu, has described investment in human capital development as key economic enabler and a low hanging fruit towards achieving sustainable development.
Speaking at a dinner in Port Harcourt in honour of 15 Cadets of Andoni, who graduated recently from the Charkin Maritime Academy, under the sponsorship of Andoni Local Government Council, the council chairman said his greatest achievement in office was human capital development.
He urged the cadets to be of good conduct in their future endearvous and shun all acts inimical to the advancement of their career, so that the good effort of the council and of their parents and guardians will not go in vain.
“For me, human capital development is my greatest project and I know, God willing, and by His Grace, all of you will grow to become good ambassadors of Andoni, and the multiplier effect is enormous.
“You are working on a vessel, you are a big shot in a company, you must remember where you are coming from. If you have opportunity to employ people or to recommend people for employment, you must remember Andoni people who are qualified, and I know very soon you will all be going aboard ships for your proper training aboard the vessels and then your certification.
“We urge you don’t allow anything to distract you, when you go aboard the vessels, if you misbehave and you are blacklisted, all of your training will be in vain when you are kicked out. You have a duty to ensure that all the effort we have made as a local government does not go in vain”, he said.
On the forth-coming 3rd edition of the Andoni Unity Carnival, Awortu said his administration is making concerted effort to continuously showcase to the world the enormous tourism potentials of Andoni and the investment opportunities therein.
He said, “The idea behind the Carnival is to expose Andoni to the world and to let the world know that there are lots and lots of potentials and investment opportunities in Andoni.
“We have over the last two years made concerted efforts to expose the kind of wonderful beach line we have in Andoni, many people don’t even know that you can drive to Ikuru town, Ekede and all that and commune with the Atlantic.
“And, in the case of Andoni, our very fertile forest houses the elephant. As you know, elephant is the biggest animal, and there are other animals that are under the elephant.
“The forest we have in Andoni has an array of exquisite wildlife that everybody would want to see. They say knowledge is power, because people don’t know about what is happening or what we have in Andoni, they are not able to access Andoni, they are able to look for Andoni, so we are making concerted effort to let the world know what we have in Andoni”.
On his part, the Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Chisom Gbali, lauded the Andoni Council chairman for what he called his “exceptional achievement on human capital development”, especially on youth development.
He said this would have a huge multiplier effect on the local economy of Andoni in the foreseeable future.
“Chairman, you are crediting this people today, you don’t know what you are doing, you have watered the ground, they will cause erosion in Andoni, a peaceful erosion, a positive erosion, that is what you have done.
“The beneficiaries may be few, but the ripple effect is what we call spiral circle. Spiral circle is when you develop people, they will come back, they will reach and develop other people, and what you see is turning out the best in the society.
“Chairman, I want to tell you that you have made history today. You are not just making infrastructure, you are not just making Andoni hospitable, but you are building on the youth. The best way, any government that wants to move forward must start with the training of the youth”, he said. Also speaking, the Founder and Proprietor of Charkin Maritime Academy, Dr. Charles Wami, assured the Cadets of Andoni of his continued support to them until they attain the peak of their career in Seamanship and Seafaring.
He said, “I appeal to all of you, try and be Charkin Ambassadors, try and project that goodwill from your local government chairman, don’t let us down, try your best, we will try as much as possible to ensure that your programme continues from Cadetship to Sea-time Training which is almost around the corner.
“When you are back from Sea-time Training after one year, you come back to school for your OOW, after which you go back to the sea.
“Seamanship and Seafaring is a continuous learning. You will continue to learn until you get to the peak of your career”.
On her part, Speaker of the 9th Legislative Assembly of Andoni Local Government, Hon. Sheila Jacob Nte, thanked the council chairman for creating an enabling atmosphere that engendered good working relationship between the executive and the legislative arm.
She urged the Cadets not to forget their background wherever they found themselves in their career and live a life worthy of emulation so that efforts and resources expended on their training will not amount to a waste.
Some traditional rulers, including Okan-Ama Agwut-Obolo, Alfred Otobo-Alama (III), and Okan-Ama Okoloile, Sir Matthias Stanley (Ikwut VI), were among guests who graced the occasion.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will inaugurate its newly elected National Exexutive, led by President-elect Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, during its 2026 Annual General Conference scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, between August 21 and 28.
Badejo-Okusanya emerged winner of the association’s Presidential election conducted through electronic voting, polling 12,317 votes to defeat her two male challengers and become the 33rd President of the NBA.
According to the final results released by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) secured 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 valid votes cast in the election.
Her closest rival, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN), garnered 7,934 votes, representing 30.39 per cent, while Olumu Akinboro (SAN) polled 5,855 votes, or 22.43 per cent.
Her election is historic, as she becomes only the second woman to lead the NBA in its 66-year history, following Priscilla Kuye, who served as the association’s first female president between 1991 and 1992.
The inauguration of Badejo-Okusanya and other newly elected national officers will be one of the major highlights of this year’s Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, which is expected to attract thousands of lawyers, judges, legal scholars and policymakers from across Nigeria and beyond.
Called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002, Badejo-Okusanya studied Law at the University of Lagos after earning a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in English from the same institution.
She began her legal career at Olaniwun Ajayi LP and, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to legal practice, was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on September 29, 2025.
Her career has combined legal practice with public service. In 2007, she was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Justice Sector Reform to the then Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, working in the office of the then Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olasupo Shasore.
She is a respected arbitration and dispute resolution expert and belongs to several prestigious professional bodies, including the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), African Arbitration Association, ArbitralWomen, International Bar Association (IBA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA). She also serves on the Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration.
Within the NBA, Badejo-Okusanya has held several strategic leadership positions, including Assistant Secretary of the NBA Lagos Branch, member of the Future of the Legal Profession Committee, Conference Investigation Committee, and the NBA Lagos Branch Building Committee.
She also served as Alternate Chair of the 2023 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee before chairing the committee for the 2024 conference.
In 2022, she was co-opted into the NBA National Executive Council and, in August 2024, received the NBA Presidential Medal of Service in recognition of her contributions to the association.
A founding partner of Africa Law Practice NG & Company since 2017, Badejo-Okusanya currently co-heads the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice. The firm is regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms, with affiliations across Africa.
Her emergence has raised expectations that her administration will prioritise lawyers’ welfare, institutional reforms and a more inclusive Bar, in line with her campaign promise to build “a bolder Bar that works for everyone” where lawyers can earn better, live better and practise better.
The Commander of Nigerian Naval Shipyard Pathfinder, Commodore Mutalib Ibikunle Raji, has described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a critical pillar of national unity and sustainable development, while reaffirming the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to deepening its long-standing partnership with the scheme in Rivers State.
Raji made the remarks when he received the NYSC Rivers State Coordinator, Moses Oleghe, on a courtesy visit to his office at the Naval Shipyard in Port Harcourt.
The naval chief praised the 56-year-old NYSC scheme for its strategic role in nation-building, saying it has remained a “bedrock of national unity and sustainable development” since its establishment.
He also commended the cordial relationship between the NYSC and the Nigerian Naval Shipyard, describing the synergy between both institutions as “very healthy and mutually beneficial.”
According to him, the partnership has continued to yield positive results, particularly in service delivery by corps members posted to the Shipyard.
Raji assured the NYSC management in the state of his readiness to support the successful implementation of the scheme’s programmes and activities, noting that closer collaboration between the two institutions would further strengthen their bond.
“My administration remains available and committed to supporting the NYSC in the successful implementation of its programmes and activities in the state”, he said.
He appreciated the quality of service rendered by corps members serving at the Shipyard and pledged that their welfare would remain a top priority under his leadership.
“We will continue to prioritise the welfare of corps members in order to encourage and motivate them for optimum performance”, he Commander added.
Earlier, Oleghe said the visit was aimed at formally interfacing with the Commander, familiarising with him and welcoming him to Rivers State following his recent appointment.
He noted that the relationship between the NYSC and the Nigerian Naval Shipyard had remained strong over the years and called for its sustenance.
The State Coordinator thanked the Commander for his assurances of support and stressed the importance of strategic stakeholders such as the Nigerian Navy in ensuring the security and welfare of corps members.
Oleghe added that the support of the Navy would provide corps members with the enabling environment required to serve the nation effectively and without hindrance.
The visit, both officials agreed, underscored the shared commitment of the NYSC and the Nigerian Navy to national integration, youth development and the continued strengthening of institutional collaboration in Rivers State.
The Opobo Council of Alapu (Chiefs) has announced that Opobo Kingdom will officially crown His Majesty, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI, as the Amanyanabo and Treaty King of Opobo Kingdom on September 26, 2026, marking the beginning of a new era in the historic riverine kingdom.
The coronation, which forms the highlight of a week-long programme of activities scheduled to hold from September 18 to 27, 2026, is expected to attract traditional rulers, government officials, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic community, sons and daughters of Opobo Kingdom, and guests from across Nigeria and beyond.
In a statement issued by the Chief of Protocol and Public Relations of the Opobo Council of Alapu, Alabo Godwin Omoni Nengia Bupo, Abayebupo Duke Norfolk III, the Council described the event as a defining moment in the history of the kingdom.
Founded in 1870 by the legendary merchant prince, King Jaja of Opobo, and his compatriots, Opobo Kingdom has remained one of the Niger Delta’s most celebrated traditional institutions, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, maritime trading history, diplomatic influence and resilience.
According to the Council, the ascension of King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI, as the sixth monarch in the Jeki lineage signals the dawn of a new chapter that will build on the kingdom’s enduring legacy while promoting unity, cultural preservation and sustainable socio-economic development.
The statement noted that the coronation would be “more than the crowning of a king,” describing it as a celebration of the kingdom’s resilience, identity, ancestry and enduring traditions.
“This historic coronation is not merely the crowning of a king, but a celebration of our resilience, our identity, our ancestry and our enduring heritage”, the statement said.
The Council added that a comprehensive programme of cultural, spiritual and ceremonial activities have been lined up across the kingdom to commemorate the historic occasion, culminating in the official coronation on September 26.
It called on friends of Opobo Kingdom, cultural enthusiasts and well-wishers from around the world to join in celebrating what it described as a landmark event in the history of one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected traditional kingdoms.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso