News
Govt Names Int’l Conference Centre After Obi Wali
Newly constructed International Conference Center on Chief G. U. Ake Bypass has been named after Senator Obi Wali, Governor Chibuike Amaechi has announced.
Amaechi announced the decision when he played host to his kinsmen and prominent Ikwerre traditional rulers at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday, under the auspices of the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers.
He said the government took the decision because late Obi Wali was a national figure and gift to Ikwerre people, hinting that more public buildings would be named after prominent sons and daughters of the state.
The governor said his administration has ensured that projects were evenly spread across the state in keeping with his detribalized attitude to governance for which, he recalled that the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) gave him a title for taking away their pains by developing their area hitherto left out of the development plans of previous administrations in the state.
Frowning at the attitude of some Ikwerre politicians who specialise in betraying their own, the Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi criticised the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, who was his former chief of staff, for failing the integrity test where he (Wike) had sworn with the names of his children never to betray him (Amaechi) but now has done so.
Amaechi disclosed this when his kinsmen and prominent Ikwerre traditional rulers visited him at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday, under the auspices of the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers.
The governor recalled that in order to convince him to forward his name as ministerial nominee to President Goodluck Jonathan, Wike had sworn with his own children that he would never betray him, but was to betray him after getting his ministerial appointment from President Jonathan.
“I told my friends who are governors, I said when you will be betrayed at the end of 2015, you will almost be in a state of coma because you have not experienced it. Your speech did mention the former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Austin Opara, your speech also mentioned the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike. The Minister of State for Education swore with the names of his children that he would never betray me, that I should put his name forward for minister. I say, he swore with the names of his children.”
“No matter the condition, I will never swear with the names of my children, nothing will make me swear with the names of my children. But if I make the mistake of swearing with the names of my children, nothing outside God will make me betray you. Not because any harm will befall the children… It is the honour you bestow on those children that should make you not to betray whatever word you have given to anybody.
“In fact, if you listen very well, the Minister of State for Education was saying that I wasn’t the person who nominated him until a Rivers delegation went to see the president and the president said, ‘I don’t even know the man (Wike). It was Amaechi that brought him. I stopped him but Amaechi insisted that I must take him (Wike).
“There are not too many elites with character, not too many. In their quest for power and their desire to accumulate wealth, they can sell their mother, some elites can sell their mother.”
Amaechi noted that history would judge those who say one thing and do another as he equally recounted how he had helped persons, only to be betrayed by these same persons.
Amaechi said his policies in government have been to develop all parts of the state.
“I made sure that I prefer to be called a Rivers Governor, not an Ikwerre governor, so I made sure that if we took a road to Ikwerre, we would take it to Gokana”.
Earlier, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers, Eze Blessing Wagor, acknowledged that Governor Amaechi had been a victim of betrayal in several instances but commended his strength of character and courage in facing up to treacherous behaviour.
He said the governor had helped to install Ikwerre sons in positions of responsibility most of whom he said failed to appreciate him.
“On the 9th day of November, 2000, all the Government recognized Traditional Rulers in Ikwerre-led by the late Eze Epara Rebisi, Eze S. N. Woluchem and the entire people of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality gathered at the ancient kingdom of Isiokpo and conferred on you the title of Ochi Aliri 1 of Ikwerre. You were then the Honourable Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. You remain the first man to be so honoured by our people. Ever since, we have studiously watched your conduct, activities, growth and achievements in politics as well as the Governor of Rivers State.
“From the year 1999 to date, Ikwerre has either through you or your instrumentality achieved great heights in our political history. From being the first Ikwerre man to be elected speaker, and consequently governor of the state, you influenced the appointment of an Ikwerre man as vice chancellor of Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), deputy speaker, House of Representatives, federal electoral commissioner, Nigeria Ambassador to Ukraine, chief judge of Rivers State, president, Customary Court of Appeal and presently, minister of state for education, to mention but a few.
“In the area of governance, you have provided us with good roads, modern schools and functional health centres and hospitals just as you have extended these facilities to other ethnic groups in the state.
“As members of the traditional institution, we have equally heard and seen you face outright deceits, betrayals from very close quarters and associates that should have earned you praises. We have seen you face fire. We have seen you work upon thongs and we have seen you in a capsizing boat. In all of these, you remained solidly undaunted and robustly focused on your mission to Rivers State.
“To say the least, you have brought honour and pride to us and the entire people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality. Let us assure you that all the government recognized traditional rulers and our people are solidly behind you”.
A bill to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which mandates compulsory counselling and training for individuals convicted of corruption-related offences, was sponsored by Kayode Akiolu (APC-Lagos) during plenary on Wednesday.
Leading the debate, Mr Akiolu explained that the bill sought to amend Section 67 of the principal act, introducing new provisions that were not part of the original section.
“These additional provisions, found in subsections 2, 3, and 4 of the amendment bill, require judges and magistrates to not only impose imprisonment and/or fines on those convicted of corruption but also mandate a minimum four-week anti-corruption counselling and training.
“The counselling and training will be designed and delivered by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) and aims to address the psychological factors related to corrupt behaviour,” Mr Akiolu said.
Mr Akiolu emphasised that the training would help reform convicts by addressing their corrupt tendencies and could even transform them into advocates for anti-corruption efforts.
He added that this approach aligned with the reformative aspect of the criminal justice system, which focused on punishment and rehabilitation.
“As per subsection 4, the bill allows magistrates and judges to order convicts to cover the cost of their counselling and training, preventing additional financial burdens on the government,” the lawmaker noted.
Mr Akiolu further argued that if the bill is passed into law, it would strengthen the country’s fight against corruption.
Given the widespread negative impact of corruption, he urged the House to support the bill for the country’s benefit.
Following the debate, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas referred the bill to the relevant committee for further legislative consideration.
The Judiciary and the Media are key pillars of democracy, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said.
Kekere-Ekun made this statement in her address at the 2024 National Conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC).
The CJN was represented by Mr Abdulaziz Olumo, the Secretary of the National Judicial Institute (NJI).
“ The judiciary and the media occupy unique and complementary roles in any democratic society.
“ The judiciary serves as the guardian of justice, equity, and the rule of law, the media acts as the conscience of society, disseminating information, shaping public opinion, and ensuring accountability.
“ Together, these institutions provide checks and balances that strengthen the fabric of democracy,” she said.
Quoting Felix Frankfurter, a former U.S. Supreme Court Justice, she said: free press is not to be preferred to an independent judiciary, nor an independent judiciary to a free press. Neither has primacy over the other; both are indispensable to a free society.”
The CJN said this dynamic interdependence between the judiciary and the media presents opportunities and challenges alike.
“ The media is entrusted with the responsibility of informing the public about judicial activities, the judiciary relies on accurate and ethical reportage to enhance public confidence in its work.
“ However, the inherent power of the media to influence public opinion requires careful management, especially when its focus turns to judicial proceedings.
“ The question posed by Robert J.Cordy, a former Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, is pertinent here: “What happens when the free press turns its sights on the courts-scrutinizing, sensationalizing, and exposing the frailties of the judiciary while questioning its ethical standards and performance?”
“The media’s capacity to shape narratives and perceptions is undeniable” she said.
Quoting Jim Morrison , she said “Whoever controls the media controls the mind.”
According to her, this underscores the immense responsibility placed on journalists to report truthfully, fairly, and objectively.
“ Unfortunately, the commercialisation of news and external influences have led to the rise of sensationalism-a practice that distorts facts, erodes trust, and undermines the very essence of journalism.
“ Sensationalised headlines, such as the infamous 2016 headline “We raided the houses of ‘corrupt, unholy’ judges, says DSS,” can paint a skewed picture of the judiciary and its officers. Such reporting, often devoid of context, compromises the integrity of the justice system and misleads the public.
“ Closely tied to this is the issue of “trial by media,” where premature and often biased media narratives prejudge cases and infringe on the constitutional rights of individuals” she said.
She added that as Mahatma Gandhi rightly observed, “The sole aim of journalism should be service.” It is imperative for media practitioners to remain steadfast in their commitment to truth and objectivity.
To this end, she advised, the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents to take proactive steps to regulate the activities of its members.
“ This is not merely about enforcing rules but about fostering professionalism and safeguarding the credibility of the media.
“ The judiciary and the media must work as partners in progress.
“ To bridge the gap between these institutions, there is a pressing need for constructive engagement and mutual understanding.
“ Courts can provide the media with guidelines on judicial processes, courtroom decorum, and the nuances of court proceedings.
She noted that globally, courts have adopted initiatives to support the media’s role in reporting judicial matters.
For instance, she said the Supreme Court of Dakota’s media guide outlines protocols for courtroom reporting, while the UK ‘s Media Guidance document provides clarity on access and etiquette for journalists.
“ These examples demonstrate how structured collaboration can enhance the quality of judicial reportage.
“ In Nigeria, we can take a cue from these models by developing a comprehensive media guide tailored to our judicial landscape.
“ This initiative, which would involve inputs from NAJUC and judicial stakeholders, would not only enhance media access to courtrooms but also ensure that judicial activities are accurately and responsibly reported” she said.
She advocated that judiciary correspondents must make deliberate efforts to familiarise themselves with the rules and procedures of the courts.
She added that understanding these frameworks will enable journalists to navigate the complexities of judicial proceedings effectively and responsibly.
“ Training programs such as this conference play a crucial role in equipping judiciary correspondents with the knowledge and skills needed to report judicial matters accurately.
“ The theme of this year’s conference, “The Role of Courts in Enforcement of Judgments,” is both timely and significant, as it addresses an aspect of judicial work that is critical to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice.
“ I commend NAJUC for its commitment to promoting accountability and transparency through its engagements with the judiciary.
“ As I conclude, I must emphasize the importance of credible journalism in strengthening public trust in the judiciary” she said.
She urged judiciary correspondents to prioritise the pursuit of truth and objectivity, resist undue influences, and remain steadfast in their commitment to ethical standards.
She commended the leadership of NAJUC, under the chairmanship of Mr Kayode Lawal, for its efforts in promoting professionalism among judiciary correspondents.
The Senate has issued an arrest warrant for the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr Peer Lubasch, to appear before its Committee on Works.
The Tide’s source reports that the warrant was for Lubasch to explain the utilisation of funds appropriated for the reconstruction work on Calabar-Odukpani-Itu highway.
The warrant followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sen. Osita Ngwu (PDP- Enugu) and co-sponsored by Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC-Cross River) and Sen. Mpigi Barinada (PDP- Rivers) at plenary in Abuja, yesterday.
Ngwu, in the motion said, that the senate had mandated the committee on works to conduct investigation into the state of road infrastructure across the country.
He said that in furtherance to the investigative hearings, Julius Berger refused to honour invitations to provide details of its role in the Calabar-Odukpani-Itu highway project, in spite of receiving substantial public funds.
He said that this was worrisome, given the alarming discrepancies in performance among contractors on the project, with specific reference to Julius Berger for failing to meet delivery timelines.
Ngwu said it was the constitutional powers of the National Assembly under Sections 8 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to conduct investigations on any person or organisation responsible for administering public funds.
He said that the powers set out in section 6 of the legislative powers and privileges act empowered the Senate to issue warrants of arrest on persons in contempt of its proceedings.
The Tide source reports that the senate further ruled that President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, should sign the warrant, mandating the Julius Berger managing director to appear on a date to be communicated.
Akpabio said that the senate’s decision was in line with its constitutional powers under Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“This senate will not tolerate the continued disregard of its authority.
“The managing director of Julius Berger must appear before the relevant committee, failing which further actions will be taken as prescribed by the constitution.
“The point of order, which was supported by the majority of the senators, highlighted the importance of upholding the integrity of the legislature.
“The senate committee will submit its findings to the National Assembly after the MD’s appearance.
“If there is any further failure to comply, we shall take the necessary steps to ensure respect for the constitution and the rule of law,” Akpabio said.