Rivers
Association Commends Buhari For Assenting To Counselling Practitioners Bill
The Counselling Association of Nigeria has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law the Counselling practitioners Bill. The association, which said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt said with the signing of the bill into law, the association is now in a position to offer more services to Nigerians.
According to the release, the counselling profession in the country is a practice that seeks to improve the psychological wellbeing of and mental health of contemporary society.
The release jointly signed by Professor Elizabeth Omotunde Egbochuku National President of the association; and Prof. Comfort Agi, Rivers State Chairperson of the Association ,said “professional counsellors are trained to counsel clients in trauma and abuse ,addictions, family and relationship issues, and many more.
The association said that effective counselling reduces confusion by enabling the clients to make informed decision, leading to positive changes in their attitude and behaviour.
It further said “professional counsellors maintain professional relationship of trust that empowers diverse individuals, families and groups to accomplish mental health, education and career goals
“Counsellors work with clients on strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they face.”
It would be recalled that the bill was assented to by President Buhari on the July 27, 2022, 26 years after the association got its certificate of registration.
The release said the association is structured into icons, fellows, associate fellows, associate members, honorary members, full time members, and student members, who possess necessary requirements as stipulated in the association’s constitution.
By: John Bibor
Rivers
Rivers CJ To Sanction Lawyers Who Refuse To Comply With ADR Compliance
The Rivers state Chief Judge, Justice SIMONE CHIBUZOR-AMADI has given an indication to sanction any lawyer who fail to comply with directive of a judge in the state to transferred a case to Rivers State Multi Door Courthouse for Alternatives Dispute Resolution.
Justice AMADI stated this during a brief ceremony held at the chief judge auditorium in port Harcourt Friday held to hand over certificates of operation to two private ADR chambers on Precarious Dispute Resolution Services and Harmony Arbitration and mediation center .
He urged the two private ADR centres to be diligent in the discharge of their duties and warned against compromising the standard of Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR but should observed the regulations set out in collaboration regulation by the state Multi Door Court House.
Earlier in a address, the Director of the State Multi Door Courthouse, VICTOR NWEKE esq, highlighted some of the achievements of the Multi Door Courthouse especially in decongestion of court rooms.
NWEKE while disclosing how the department certified the two private ADR centres called for serious punitive measures be taken against any lawyer who fail to comply with a case referred to Multi Door Court House by a judge or magistrates in the state.
In her acceptance speech on behalf of the two certified private ADR centres, ALICE NIMI commended the State Judiciary and Multi Door Courthouse for the approval and assured that all the rules and regulations spelt out will be followed.
In a related development; the Rivers State Judiciary has assured its readiness to collaborate with Nigerian Securityding Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC in using Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve some of the issues in their office.
The state Chief Judge , Justice SIMONE CHIBUZOR-AMADI made the promise when he received in audience the Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Assistant Commandant General, AYINLA TALYE OLOWO and his team who paid him a courtesy visit in his office , Friday where issuees ADR utilization took centre stage.
He used the opportunity to brief his visitors on the hurdles judges faces daily in the court room and the need for the decongestion of the court room , stressing that one judge handle more than three hundred cases but that if lawyers and litigants adopt ADR practice court rooms can be releive of the daily congestions.
The state Chief Judge however urged NSCDC to ensure a wider sensitization of the members of the public on the practice of ADR for a better awareness and knowledge.
Earlier in his speech, the Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Assistant Commandant General, AYINLA TALYE-OLOWO said the visit was to seek collaboration on the use of ADR in resolving some issues which he insisted would help decongest the courtrooms.
Our correspondent reports officials of the Rivers State Multi Door Courthouse led by the Director, VICTOR NWEKE led the team of NSCDC on a technical session where information on how to the fully in cooperated into the Multi Door Courthouse and operation of ADR will be emphasized.
Akujobi Amadi