News
Amaechi Seeks ICT, Training For Judiciary
Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, says his administration will partner with the judiciary on improving its Information Communication Technology (ICT) and manpower training.
The Governor made the pledge during a special court session to mark the official commencement of the 2010/2011 Legal Year in Rivers State at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
Amaechi asserted that it was one way to upgrade the status of the judiciary to work effectively and at the same time match modern practices as obtained in other countries.
He stressed that regular training and re-training of judicial officers would also add to quality justice delivery and promised that his government would support the third arm of government in making sure that its staffers were trained within and outside the country.
Rt Hon Amaechi also stressed the need for the establishment of more courts, “the first phase of the new city will commence this January, so, I will urge you to take the opportunity by establishing more courts in that area.”
Speaking earlier at the church service held at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Rt Hon Ameachi pledged to partner with the judiciary in the development of the state.
In his words, “I promised at an earlier event that if fund is what determines the independence of the judiciary, that I would give the judiciary all the money they need”.
He further asserted that, “the executive would obey the law and would implement all judgements coming from the judiciary even if we disagree”.
The Governor enjoined judicial officers to always be courageous in the discharge of their duties. “In the face of challenges and temptations, our judges and magistrates must be courageous in the dispensation of justice. Be rest assured that if you discharge your responsibilities according to your conscience, you can sleep peacefully,” he said.
Delivering his sermon, Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt Rev. Innocent Ordu harped on the need for judicial officers to dispense their duties with the fear of God.
Bishop Ordu cautioned them to avoid any form of conduct that would tarnish the credibility of the legal system noting, “God himself delights in justice because justice is more acceptable than sacrifice”.
In his remarks later, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iche Ndu lauded the Governor for releasing funds to the judiciary.
Justice Ndu stated that Governor Amaechi had displayed exceptional quality in making sure that the judiciary was efficient and remain independent in the state.
He assured that once this year’s funding got on stream, the judiciary would embark on massive ICT overhaul especially through the electronic satellite and recording system.
He added, “at the moment, over 50 judicial officers have undergone a special IT training for staffers.”
Justice Ndu, however, called for improvements in the status of the prisons, lamenting that despite carrying out numerous gaol delivery, the conditions in the Port Harcourt prisons were still not conducive due to congestion.
The same view was expressed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State, Patrice Ukposi who called for quick prison reforms in the country.
Barrister Ukposi also charged the police to improve on their investigative mechanisms in order to reduce the influx of suspects at the prisons.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, Barrister Worgu Boms has advocated for ethical conduct amongst the members of the bar.
Boms frowned at the increasing spate of unethical practices by members in a bid to make quick money.
He warned that if such conduct continued, lawyers would inadvertently erode the core values of the justice system built on credibility, good conduct, character and professionalism.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has not commenced recruitment for the 2025/2026 Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) and Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC).
The Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in a statement yesterday, described the advertisement as fraudulent.
Ejodame said that no such recruitment exercise is currently ongoing, urging the public to disregard those messages in their entirety.
“We wish to remind the general public that the Nigerian Air Force recruitment and enlistment processes are free, transparent, and merit-based.
“The NAF does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment exercise, and does not engage third parties or agents for enlistment.
“Whenever a recruitment exercise is to be conducted, it will be officially announced and widely publicised through credible national dailies, the NAF official website, and its verified social media platforms.
“We therefore urge members of the public to be wary of online scams and exercise extreme caution when coming across unofficial recruitment advertisements,” he said.
Ejodame also advised the public to always rely on NAF’s official social media handles for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its activities.
According to him, official NAF communication channels are: https://www.facebook.com/share/1735SmRdMo/ https://x.com/NigAirForce?t=1263ETdBwkuqewt-rSuyIg&s=09 https://www.instagram.com/NigerianAirForce https://youtube.com/@nigerianairforcehq?feature=shared
https://www.airforce.mil.ng/ “The Nigerian Air Force is committed to integrity, transparency, and efficient service delivery to the nation while projecting air power to save lives and properties of all Nigerians,” he added.
No fewer than 9,469 admissions across 20 tertiary institutions nationwide have been flagged as fake by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the 2024 academic session.
According to the board, the admissions were conducted outside the popular Central Admission Processing System, popularly known as CAPS.
According to the list obtained from JAMB, Kano State University of Science and Technology led the pack with 2,215 fake admissions, with Ladoke Akintola University of Technology following with 1,215.
Others are Gombe state University, 1,164; Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, 761; Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 534; Ambrose Alli University, 514; Igbinedion University, 365; Akwa-Ibom Polytechnic, 340 and College of Nursing, National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, 281.
Also on the list are Achievers University, 267; Nigeria Police Academy, 263; Abia State Polytechnic, 256; Osun State University, 224; Federal University, Lafia, 189; Niger State Polytechnic, 182; Federal Polytechnic, Ida, 171 and Edo State Polytechnic,166.
Others are Anchor University, 133; Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, 116 and the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, 113.
CAPS was introduced to enhance transparency and efficiency, and serves as an online platform where prospective university students can monitor and manage their admission status.
By centralising the admission process, JAMB CAPS ensures that all candidates are given fair consideration based on merit and institutional requirements.
The primary purpose of JAMB CAPS is to streamline the admission process into tertiary institutions across Nigeria. It achieves this by ensuring transparency as candidates can easily track their admission status, and guarantees that all applicants are evaluated based on consistent criteria.
The system also enhances efficiency as institutions can process admissions swiftly, and candidates receive timely updates on their application status.
The board has, over time, warned institutions against backdoor admissions offered to candidates outside CAPS, as candidates offered admission outside CAPS were barred from the mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme.
Recall that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, reiterated a directive in Abuja at the 2025 policy meeting of JAMB last week, declaring all admissions conducted outside JAMB as illegal.
He said institutions and individuals involved in such practices would be prosecuted and severely sanctioned.
“Any admission conducted outside CAPS, regardless of its intentions, is illegal.
“Both institutions and the candidates involved in such practices will be held accountable.
“Sanctions may include withdrawal of institutional assets and prosecution of culpable officers or governing council members,” he said.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it will soon unveil a National Values Charter (NVC) to serve as a social contract between the Nigerian government and its citizens.
The Director-General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday at a one-day workshop on “Civic Responsibility and National Values for Voluntary Organisations”.
Issa-Onilu was represented by Dr Olukemi Afolayan, Director of Civic Values and Democratic Education at the agency.
He said that the charter would articulate the responsibilities of both the government and citizens towards nation-building.
“We are at a pivotal moment as a country.
“The challenges facing Nigeria range from insecurity, corruption, poor civic engagement, moral decay, and apathy in democratic processes.
“These require, not just governmental intervention, but active citizen participation,”he said.
He said that voluntary organisations had historically played key roles in moral reawakening, youth mobilisation and community development, dating back to the colonial period.
According to him, the NOA under the current leadership, has intensified efforts to fulfill its core mandate of value reorientation.
He said that the agency did that with the launch of several campaigns, including the National Identity Project approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2024.
“President, Bola Tinubu, is expected to formally unveil the National Values Charter.
“It defines the ‘Nigerian Promise’, the government’s commitment to equality, democracy, entrepreneurship, peace, inclusivity, freedom and meritocracy,” he said.
The NOA D-G said that the Charter would also highlight a ‘Citizen’s Code’ calling on Nigerians to embrace discipline, duty of care, tolerance, leadership, accountability, environmental awareness and resilience.
He urged voluntary organisations to support the campaign and serve as role models in their communities to promote patriotism and public trust.
Also speaking, Mrs Rhoda Sadus, Deputy Director of Civic Values and Democracy at NOA, said that the Charter was a critical component of a broader National Identity Project aimed at global reputational management.
“This is the first time any Nigerian organisation is targeting global reputational management through strategic media engagement, including broadcasts on international channels like CNN,” she said.
Sadus said that NOA was engaging Nigerians in the diaspora and working closely with other agencies, including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), to promote a unified national identity.
“When the Director-General assumed office, he emphasised the need for Nigeria to define and project its identity.
“The National Values Charter was conceived to outline the responsibilities of both the government and the citizens, a departure from past initiatives that only targeted citizens,” she added.
She said that the agency would soon begin training public office holders on national values as part of the post-appointment orientation process.
“We believe that when both the government and the people fulfill their obligations, national development will follow,” she said.
In his remarks, Dr Mohammed Dambo, Commander of the FCT Man ‘O’ War, said the initiative offered an opportunity for Nigerians to unite under a common agenda for national progress.
“If America became what it is today through collective agreement and commitment, Nigeria can do the same.
“We need to stop gaslighting our leaders and start promoting a culture of excellence, patriotism and civic responsibility.”
He called for the values to be transferred to the younger generation as part of efforts to restore hope and pride in the country.
The Tide source reports that the workshop attracted the presence of representatives form Boys Scout Association of Nigeria, Girls Guide Association of Nigeria and Man O’ War Nigeria.
Others were Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Boys Brigade Nigeria, National Cadet Corps (School-Based) and War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade.
-
Rivers36 mins ago
CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines
-
Politics2 hours ago
Atiku’s Exit No Problem To PDP – Makinde
-
News1 hour ago
JAMB Uncovers 9,469 Fake Admissions In 20 Tertiary Institutions
-
News30 mins agoNAF Disowns Recruitment Adverts, Says It’s Fake
-
Rivers2 hours ago
Okrika Administrator Seeks To Connect Okujagu Ama To National Grid … Donates 30 Life Jackets To Okujagu Ama Boat Drivers
-
Politics1 hour ago
Natasha’s Counsel Writes Senate Over Court Judgment
-
Politics14 mins agoINEC Trains Political Parties Officials On ICNP Use Ahead By-Elections
-
Politics2 hours ago
Bayelsa APC Hails Late Buhari As Change Agent In Nigerian Politics