Niger Delta
Lawyer Decries Late Payment of Bursary
The co-ordinator of 2008/2009 batch of Rivers indigenes at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja Barrister Uche Allen has appealed to the state government to pay bursary on time to alleviate the plight of the students.
Barrister Allen, who made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt recently stated that government’s assistance to law students has become more compelling because of the prohibitive cost of legal education in the country.
He regretted that 2008/2009 bursary for law school students had not been paid till date, while 2009/2010 batch were at the verge of completing their first term.
The coordinator noted that Rivers Students suffered the worst deprivation as their bursary was never paid until a long time after their call to bar.
Barr. Allen pointed out that the post call payment was not in the best interest of students who were exposed to hardship during their programme.
He stated that many governments were paying the bursary of their indigenes in law school promptly to cushion the effect of the high cost of legal education and prayed Governor Chibuike Amaechi to do something urgently to alleviate the plight Rivers State students.
He expressed hope that Governor Amaechi, who is also a law graduate would be acquainted with the high cost of legal education and noted that he would be more disposed to render assistance to the students.
He stated that in other states of the federation, NLS bursary was handled by the office of the Attorney-General in order to limit the bureaucracy associated with scholarship boards.
The co-ordinator remarked that the high failure rate among Rivers students in August BAR final examination may have resulted from lack of fund to procure the necessary books and facilities.
It would be recalled that in 2008/2009 session of the NLS, Akwa Ibom State paid bursary of N250,000 to their students, Ebonyi paid N250,000 with a laptop computer for each student, and Benue State paid N220,000.
Lagos State paid N200,000 Ekiti paid N150,000, Kogi paid N150,000 and Delta N200,000.
Others include Niger, N600,000, Cross River N200,000, and Zamfara, N1000,000.
Chidi Enyie
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
