Indeed there is time for everything, time for work and time for reward and for the retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Mary Odili it is time for reward.
Her reward was sequel to the passing into law the Executive Bill sought to rename the Rivers State Judicial Institute after her as well as allow the Chief Judge of the State appoint judges into the institute.
The “Rivers State Judicial Institute Law Number 8 of 2021 Amendment Bill 2023”, also sought to empower the Chief Judge of the State to appoint the three most senior Judges of the High Court to serve in the Governing Board of the Institute.
Commencing debate on the Amendment Bill, the Leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule said 2 out of 4 clauses in the principal law no 8 of 2021 would need to be amended.
He also said the amendment will allow justice Mary Odili and some prominent persons in the state who have made tremendous contributions to be honoured.
In their separate submissions, the lawmakers recounted Justice Mary Odili’s immeasurable contributions to judiciary in Rivers State and the entire country noting that she deserves to be rewarded.
They also said the amendment was apt while describing it as a reward for hardwork for Rivers indigenes who have contributed immensely to the State maintaining that renaming of the Judicial Institute after Justice Mary Odili would serve as an encouragement to others to work hard.
Passing the bill into law, the Speaker Rt Hon. Ikwuiyi Owaji Ibani said that the two minor amendments of the principal law became necessary to facilitate justice administration in Rivers State.
He explained that similar recognitions await any Rivers person who distinguishes himself in any area of human endeavour adding that no one would say the name of justice Mary Odili did not fit into the space.
He also recalled that it was not the first time that important institutions would be named after illustrious sons and daughters of Rivers State, just as he stated that it was an honour well deserved by Justice Mary Odili.
Meanwhile the House has also passed the Rivers State Housing and Properties Development Authority Bill into law. The law seeks to properly maintain both public and private buildings in the state.
