Rivers
Amaewhule, 24 Others Fail To Stop Suit Challenging Their Sack
The embattled former speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule and 24 other members of the Assembly have failed in their bid to stop the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt from adjudicating on the suit seeking to sack them as members of the state House of Assembly.
The suit, which was instituted through Originating Summons by three members of Boot Party and others, is seeking, among other things, for the court to declare the seat of Amaewhule and 24 others vacant, having defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the resumption of the matter on Monday, the trial judge, Justice Stephen Daylop Pam, told counsels representing the parties in the matter that one of the parties, Martin Amaewhule had written a petition to the chief judge of the Federal High Court asking that he discontinues from hearing the matter.
Justice Daylop Pam asked the lawyers of their views on the petition written by one of the defendants, Martin Amaewhule.
Taking the lead on argument, the lawyer representing the plaintiff, Boot Party, Reuben Wanogho Esq, told the judge that the petition does not concern the court as the petitioner has not served any of the parties involved in the matter with the copy of the petition, and added that the petitioner, through his legal representation, has not filed any correspondence to the court.
He opined that in such circumstances, the law assumed that he was not before the court and urged the court to ignore such petition and go ahead with the matter on the business for the day.
In his submission, the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, told the court that he was not under any obligation to adhere to the alleged petition, and that Heavens will not fall if the court continues with the matter.
He reminded the court that the scheduled business of the day as listed in the Order Paper was for the hearing of an application seeking for joinder, and urged the court to go ahead with the matter.
In their submissions, the counsels representing Martin Amaewhule and 24 lawmakers, Mr Orbih Ferdinand, SAN, and the representative to the state PDP, Mr Joshua Musa, SAN, urged the court to wait for the response of the chief judge of the Federal High Court before continuing with the matter.
The trial judge, Justice Stephen Daylop Pam, after hearing from the counsels, ruled to continue with the matter on the ground that the petitioner has not filed anything before the court.
He later called on the PDP state representative, Mr Joshua Musa, SAN, to move his motion, which was on joinder, and legal representation.
However, the court proceedings were not without any drama, as the court was thrown into confusion on who was the right legal representative to PDP in the matter.
The PDP National Legal Adviser, Mr Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, and Mr Joshua Musa, SAN, both are laying claims to be the authentic PDP representative.
Ajibade, in moving his oral application bordering on representation, told the court that there was a recent ruling by a Federal High Court in Edo State, and urged the trial judge to leverage on the judgement to resolve the disparity over who should represent the party in the matter, and tendered a copy of the judgement as evidence.
Earlier, the court adjourned to resolve the issue bordering on non-service of court processes by the counsel representing the 25 respondents, Mr Orbih Ferdinand, SAN.
However, when the court resumed from the short adjournment, Orbih appealed for an adjournment on health ground.
The trial judge, Justice Stephen Daylop Pam, adjourned the matter to Friday, 28th of June, 2024, for motion for joinder.
Both the APC and PDP are seeking to be joined in the matter.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, the PDP National Legal Adviser, Mr Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, told Journalists that he was in court to inform the court who has the right to represent the party or assign legal representative on behalf of the party, adding that the judge will give ruling on it on the next adjourned date.
He further told Journalists that Hon Martin Amaewhule and 24 other former members of the state House of Assembly, who defected to the ruling APC, have lost their seats as they were no longer members of the party, adding that the party was taking every steps to recover the lost seats.
On the substance of the case, Ajibade said: “The substance of case…has to do with the issue of defection. Defection of some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. You know it too well. Yes!
“There is no two ways about it: They defected. And it is the position of the party, the PDP, that they actually defected. And the PDP is taking steps to recover the seats back because they said they are members of APC now”.
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The Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria (MCDI) has inducted about 150 new members into various categories of membership during a special induction ceremony and dinner in Port Harcourt.
Aimed at expanding the institute’s membership base, the event offered new inductees an opportunity to engage with senior members and integrate fully into the organisation’s professional network.
The induction ceremony was part of the 2025 national conference of the institute.
National President of MCDI, Dr. Collins Edebiri, administered the oath, while the new members promised to carry out their duties faithfully, following the institute’s rules and constitution.
Dr. Edebiri emphasised the institute’s core mandate of instilling values that will shape individuals and institutions.
He emphasised the theme of the conference, “Mentoring for Individual and Corporate Leadership”, noting that last year’s focus centred on national development and value reorientation.
Edebiri explained that the induction ceremony is a key feature of the institute’s annual conference, though inductions also occur quarterly.
On the criteria for membership, he said the most important factor is the desire to be mentored or the readiness to mentor others, and urged the new inductees to become ambassadors of value-driven leadership in their respective workplaces.
Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), shared her experiences from her early days in journalism, attributing much of her professional growth to strong mentorship.
She encouraged members to embrace mentorship as a catalyst for personal and societal advancement.
Seminitari was later presented an award.
New members, including Wisdom Egberi Woniepiriye, and Mrs. Grace Ajinwanyiekwu, expressed their excitement and hope to be mentored well so they can eventually mentor others.
There were a dinner and networking session, marking another success for MCDI in its efforts to build leadership values nationwide.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has commended a renowned fisherman, Mr. Ricky Brown Owunari, for what it described as a remarkable stride in global engineering content creation.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Association, weekend, the SPE said the patented “Dewaxer Flow Enhancer and Downhole Tool” had secured official endorsement under U.S. Patent No. 12,448,868 B2.
They said the development has been highlighted as a significant indicator of Rivers State’s growing intellectual and technological capacity, with observers noting that such breakthroughs position the state as a rising hub for innovation.
According to those familiar with the innovation, the achievement serves as proof that Niger Deltans have moved beyond the era of militancy and are now producing world-class content, research outputs, and technical solutions.
The SPE officials described the patented technologies as timely tools designed to tackle wax deposition in crude oil wells, a major challenge that frequently disrupts production and increases maintenance costs.
They further stressed that the milestone underscores the need for Rivers State to invest more in supporting innovators whose works demonstrate global potential.
Industry experts revealed that the tool originated from years of field observation, experimentation, and rigorous research aimed at improving flow assurance in challenging well conditions.
They also urged the Federal Government to show greater appreciation for home-grown innovations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognise and encourage technological breakthroughs emerging from the Niger Delta.
Stakeholders at the event warned against piracy, emphasising that unauthorised copying of patented technologies undermines national progress and discourages genuine innovators.
Analysts observed that the breakthrough strengthens the narrative of a new Rivers State built on creativity, content development, and technical excellence rather than conflict.
The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government authorities and industry players to protect intellectual property and position Rivers State as a greenhouse for innovation-driven content.
The content, The Tide gathered, is expected to solve critical challenges in the oil and gas sector, as well as other relevant areas of the national economy.
By; King Onunwor
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against mass abductiond and targeted killings in Nigeria.
President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who gave the warning, noted that Nigeria was faced with a growing wave of violence following fresh attacks in Kebbi and Borno States.
The association issued the warning after terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga on November 17.
According The Tide’s source, the gunmen killed a teacher and abducted at least twenty-five students during a shootout with security personnel.
The President said the latest attack shows the country has become unsafe for schoolchildren and civilians.
He further noted that Nigeria also lost Brigadier General M. Uba earlier that day in an ISWAP ambush in Borno State.
According to Osigwe, the nation was witnessing a rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and lawlessness that has overwhelmed security agencies, adding that rural communities, travellers, farmers, and security officers are all exposed.
The NBA President also warned that Nigeria was facing a dangerous breakdown of public safety.
Quoting recent reports, he said about 145 people went missing in mass abductions across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara within four days.
“The country must stop recording deaths while hoping for peace through negotiations with terrorists”, he said.
The NBA further revealed that recent intelligence alerts, including the DSS warning of ISWAP plans to strike in Ondo and Kogi, show a widening threat.
Osigwe questioned why terrorists still control forests and highways without challenge, with criminals levying taxes on communities, displace families, and attack convoys.
The NBA demanded an urgent national security overhaul with transparency and strong political will.
Osigwe, however, praised the teacher who died in Kebbi while protecting students.
By; King Onunwor
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