The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, has released 14 inmates from the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre, charging them to return to society as good ambassadors of peace, responsible living and good conduct.

Justice Chibuzor-Amadi gave the charge at the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port Harcourt, within the week, as part of activities marking the 2026/2027 Legal Year Opening ceremonies in the state.

The Tide gathered that the beneficiaries included persons who had spent more time in custody than the period prescribed by law had they been convicted of the offences for which they were allegedly arrested, as well as those whose cases had suffered prolonged delays due to circumstances not attributable to them.

The Chief Judge said the exercise was carried out pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Justice Law, aimed at decongesting correctional facilities and ensuring that persons who qualified for release were not unnecessarily kept in custody.

Addressing the released inmates, Justice Chibuzor-Amadi urged them to value the opportunity granted them and use their freedom to contribute positively to society, warning that anyone who returns to the custodial facility for another crime might not enjoy a similar opportunity again.

He cautioned them against engaging in activities capable of taking them back to the correctional facility, stressing the need for them to embrace responsible living and maintain peace in their communities.

The Chief Judge also reminded the beneficiaries that the political season had commenced, urging them not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause violence or other forms of trouble.

He noted that several youths had, in the past, become victims of political violence and death, advising the released inmates to shun acts capable of endangering their lives or disrupting the peace of the society.

Justice Chibuzor-Amadi also advised officials of the correctional facility to desist from disclosing confidential information, particularly the names or list of inmates scheduled for release, ahead of the exercise, noting that such disclosure could create unnecessary tension within the facility.

The Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Rivers State, Richard Moses-Williams, commended the Rivers State Judiciary, led by the Chief Judge, for the exercise, saying that the importance of the goal delivery exercise could not be over-emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, Dr. Samuel Chinedu Maduba, has urged members of the Bar to take advantage of the various activities lined up for the 2026/2027 Legal Year and ensure full participation in the events.

Maduba, in a statement issued by the Branch Publicity Secretary, Ohaka Ihunwo, Esq., urged lawyers to avail themselves of opportunities provided through programmes tailored for the legal profession, stressing that participation would broaden their knowledge, promote professional interaction and keep them abreast of developments within and beyond the legal profession.

He also urged members of the branch to actively participate in the Legal Week activities designed to promote professional development, interaction and a deeper appreciation of the responsibilities of lawyers to society.

By: King Onunwor

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, yesterday, said President Bola Tinubu’s administration made some very difficult decisions that were not politically convenient, upon assumption of office.

Idris said Tinubu’s administration chose to confront longstanding distortions rather than postpone them.

Speaking during a ministerial briefing on Nigeria’s 66th Independence celebration in Abuja, Idris said the country is moving forward due to Tinubu’s tough decisions.

According to Idris: “About three years ago, President Bola Tinubu assumed office amid some very significant and structural challenges, and physical challenges.

“His administration chose to confront the long-standing distortions rather than postpone them and those decisions where indeed very difficult and where not politically convenient. And because of those decisions, Nigerians have bored some real costs.

“Today, however, Nigeria is moving from the difficult work of reforms and stabilisation towards a new phase of growth and shared prosperity.

“Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.43 percent as against the preceding year which was 4.23 percent, our foreign reserve as risen, our domestic refining capacity has expanded, investment and productive activity are given momentum.

“Only yesterday, we heard from the governor of the Central Bank that for the first time in 18 years, the foreign reserve has crossed the $55 billion mark.”

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that Rivers State will take the centre stage at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York, as his administration moves to showcase the State’s huge investment potentials to the world.

Fubara gave the assurance while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the conference in New York.

He said the UNGA platform provides a unique opportunity to market Rivers State as Nigeria’s number one investment destination in oil and gas as well as  other critical sectors.

The governor said the essence of his  participation at the global meeting was to give visibility to Rivers State  and showcase its economic  endowments and woo investors to the state.

“The issue is very simple. We’re trying to give visibility to the state and also showcase the areas where God has really endowed us in the oil and gas sector and other aspects of the state.

“I strongly believe that at the end of this conference and other side meetings, business opportunities will be made open and presented to interested investors who might have very serious and immediate needs to come to our dear state, knowing full well the position of Rivers State in the oil and gas industry.

“I also strongly believe that we are also going to make some inroad into financing and investors opportunities for our dear State,” he stated.

Fubara explained that the investment drive at UNGA 81 was in sync with the deliberate economic reforms of his administration, particularly the establishment of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) as a one-stop shop to facilitate and protect investments.

“This is not different from what we have already done before in establishing what we call the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency. What we are doing here will also aid the programme of that agency.

“Overall, I will say that Rivers State will be visible and prominent in this conference and we will come home with some good investments for our dear state,” he said.

The governor assured investors that Rivers State remains peaceful, stable, and open for business, with vast opportunities in oil and gas, agriculture, blue economy, manufacturing, and renewable energy.

The Tide reports that Rivers State is among the few Nigerian sub-nationals participating actively at UNGA 81, with engagements lined up with development finance institutions, multinational corporations, and diaspora investors.