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Race For Eze Upata Stool Begins

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12 years ago

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The General Assembly of Upata people have thrown the doors open for those aspiring to ascent the vacant stool of Eze Upata Kingdom after the one year mandatory period for the mourning of the late acceptant of monarch stool.

Addressing the General Assembly of the Upata people on Saturday at Edeoha in Ahoada East Local Government Area, Chairman of the Assembly, Eze Friday Ezeh, said the morning was over and declared open the process that would lead to the emergence of a new king.

Eze Friday Ezeh, explained that the people have concluded reconciliation of all factions in the 21 communities that make up the Upata Kingdom, that would enhance the participation of all the communities in the Kingdom.

According to him, “we have taken steps  that will help us to elect a new Eze Upata Kingdom which is open to all male adults from the area of 40 years and above aspire under the laid down procedures of the people to ensure smooth transition”.

Chairman of Upata Council of Chiefs, Eze Mathias Okpara, expressed happiness with the process because the documents of over 30 years stipulates guidelines to be followed and it would help to reduce friction among those that may wish to occupy the position.

Eze Okpara, said the General Assembly remains the highest gathering of the Upata people and they have declared the commencement of collection of form at the cost of N2,000 while it would be returned with a non refundable fee of N2 million.

He noted that the exercise have been smooth so far and everyone appears to be satisfied with the procedure, adding that the people are following laid down guideline in the conduct of its affairs, particularly on the vacant stool.

In an interview with The Tide, the lawmaker representing Ahoada East Constituency II  in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ibiso Nwuche, said the people met to deliberate on the process leading to the ascension to the position of Eze Upata Kingdom.

Hon Nwuche said rule stipulates N2,000 for the collection of the form but the Assembly through a democratic voting process adopted that all returning forms must be accompanied with N2 million to cover administration.

The lawmaker explained that the  Eze Upata Stool is hereditary but elected through democratic process, remarking that each of the 21 communities have been mandated to commence the election of members of the electoral college who would vote on behalf of their communities to elect the traditional ruler of the area.

 

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Rivers

Rivers CJ To Sanction Lawyers Who Refuse To Comply With ADR Compliance

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6 days ago

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February 19, 2025

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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

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Rivers

Experts Urge Fubara On Youth Marine Safety Training 

Published

6 days ago

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February 19, 2025

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A Maritime Security Expert, Captain Ifeanyi Eke Lawrence, has called for the training of youths as marine Safety officers in order to improve  and regulate safety among boat operators and passengers.
 He said the  programme, if carried out, will create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and drastically reduce the rate of death and loss of properties along the state’s water ways.
According to him, Rivers inland waterways can create over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs if properly harnessed.
Lawrence said the timely training of youths and positively engaging them as safety officers on all the jetties where waterborne transportation system is  operated  was necessary to solve the state’s unemployment challenge and end incessant boat mishap in the State.
The Expert, who is the Chairman, El-Bravo Maritime Safety Training Services Limited, said this in an interview with newsmen shortly after their monthly safety exercise in Port Harcourt.
He said the Government can do this through educating reasonable number of youths who will carry the responsibility of educating boat operators and regulate safety on all the jetties and state’s waterways, adding that the improvement in safety along the state’s waterways will restore the confidence of boat passengers and speed boat operators who operate along the state’s waterways.
According to him, the situation will check incessant boat mishaps which result to loss of lives and goods worth millions whenever there’s a boat accident, hence the need to save lives and property along the state’s inland waterways.
Captain Lawrence said Government can also achieve this feat through constant engagement and training of youths on Maritime safety in the state.
“Governor Fubara needs to critically tackle the dangerous threat of boat mishaps and unemployment rate among Rivers  youths  whose population is on  the Increase
“Rivers State inland waterways have the capacity to create over 50,000 direct and indirect Jobs for the ciitizens if properly and professionally harnessed.
“This can be achieved through training and constant engagement and monitoring of the boat operators all over the State”, he said.
Lawrence continued that the state stands to benefit maximally from its God-given maritime potentials if properly harnessed.
“Rivers State with its enormous God-given natural resources, especially the  amazing creeks, channels, rivers , lagoons  and others, should be able to harness and  tap from it to benefit the people.
“Rivers State is the second largest maritime environment in Nigeria after Lagos State, and has the largest fishing Community in West Africa at Oyorokorto, in Andoni LGA of the state.
“The community environment is a tourist site of international reputes that needs to be developed by the State Government.
“There are several tourist sites along the State’s waterways, but tourist are skeptical to visit them for their relaxation due to lack of state safety organs, to educate, regulate and enforce safety on boat drivers, passengers and everyone who does business on the state’s maritime environment.
“I’m calling on Governor Fubara to use his executive mandate and create a State civil maritime unit and sanitize all the jetties and the entire waterways.
“It’s necessary as 80 percent of Rivers people earn their living from the jetties, channels, rivers, creeks and lagoons that surround them.
“The major means of transportation in Rivers State is Waterborne transportation system, therefore it’s pertinent the State Government act as a matter of urgency, make hay while the sun shines”, he advised.
He also decried the incessant boat mishaps and loss of lives and property along waterways in the state.
John Bibor
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Rivers

Association Boss Urges For Professionalism, Efficiency Among Memebers

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6 days ago

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February 19, 2025

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The new National President of the “Noble Association of Nigeria”, Sir Emenike Nwokeoji, has called for professionalism and efficiency among members in carrying out their duties and relating to other agencies in course of their work.
Sir Nwokeoji, who was part of a Thanksgiving service organized by members of the Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents (ANCLA), weekend, said this during the Service at the Christ Inter-Denominational Church, near Government House, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the occasion, he said the past year (2024) has been full of challenges, but they have cause to thank God for His guidance and protection of their members in the course of the duties.
He however, urged members to always exhibit high degree of professionalism in carrying out their jobs and ready to co-operate with all the relevant agencies for efficiency.
“We work in synergy and amicably with other relevant agencies for effective result. We do not work in isolation”, in he said.
The service was organized to appreciate God for His grace and also to express happiness and gratitude over the emergence of Sir Nwokeoji as the National President of the Noble Association.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the Association, Rivers State Chapter, Sir, Mike Egwuatu, expressed confidence on the ability of the new National President  to pilot the affairs of  the association to higher level.
According to him, Chief Nwokeoji is a loveable and friendly administrator who grew up within the system. He therefore urged the members to give him all necessary support for him to succeed in office.
Dignitaries from government circle,  Heads of Churches, Academia, and Nigerian Customs Services attended the occasion.
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