Niger Delta
Bayelsa CJ Advocates Forum Of Chief Judges
Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri, advocated for a stronger and effective forum of Chief Judges in the old eastern states to enable them rob minds on issues.
Justice Abiri , who made the suggestion while speaking during a meeting of Eastern Bar Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association held in Yenagoa, said this has become necessary of the emerging trend in administration of justice in the region.
Abiri applauded the state government construction of the Yenagoa campus of the Nigeria Law School within a space of three months, noting that the school had commenced academic activities with a total of 250 students.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Nestor Binabo, said the formation of the forum was timely, and urged members to up the ethic of the profession.
He said, “there is much expectation from those outside the profession, contending it is only when there is strict appliance of the rule of law that the people will have respect and confidence on the country’s judiciary system”.
The Speaker, therefore, commended the initiators of the forum for their foresight and urged them not allow their dream to die.
He stressed the need for respect to the rule which according to him is the halmark of democracy.
Earlier, the chairman of the forum, Mr Kemesuodu Wodu said the formation of the body was to complement the work of the parent body, Nigerian Bar Association, in ensuring the ethics of the law profession.
Wodu said activities of the body will not contravened the provisions of the parent organisation, rather it will act as a unifying factor for lawyers from the eastern part of the country, contending it will also be used to protect its interest at the national level.
The chairman, however, lamented the effect of the industrial action embarked by the Enugu branch of the Judiciary Workers Union of Nigeria, saying litigants have since been suffering for the past four months that the strike had been on.
The forum, therefore, called on the state government to addressed the grievances of the workers so that the courts in the state will start to function again.
The Eastern bar forum, comprises lawyers from the nine states of Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and Rivers States.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.