The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the Nigerian judiciary and political class to place legacy and justice above personal interests.

He said the true measure of leaders lies in how their service ends.

Fubara spoke on Wednesday night at a state banquet held at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The banquet was in honour of Justice Obietonbara Owupele Daniel-Kalio, who recently retired from the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, and sent to newsmen.

Addressing a gathering of jurists, government officials, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries, the governor stressed the need for high standards in public service, noting that despite challenges, excellence can be restored through collective resolve.

“It is about us coming together, believing in setting a standard and not allowing our personal interests to override those standards. That is the only way we can restore the good old days,” he said.

The governor, who described the retired jurist as a model, charged younger lawyers and politicians to always uphold the primacy of truth and integrity in their careers and every other endeavour in life.

“The message tonight is about how a career ends. The conclusion of Justice Daniel-Kalio’s service brings honour to the state.

“It is a lesson for the upcoming young ones, and for those of us in politics. When we leave the stage, how will our story be told?

“It is not about winning now; it is about how it ends. We must strive to do the right things to defend the most important thing, and that is justice. Always stand on the side of truth so that, at the end, you will be remembered for what is right,” Fubara stated.

The governor remarked that though Justice Daniel-Kalio may have retired, he is not tired and remains strong enough to contribute to the development of Rivers State.

The state government, he said, would seek further ways to tap into his wealth of knowledge and experience and urged him to be available whenever the state calls on him to share his expertise.

Fubara expressed appreciation to the guests for their presence during what he described as a significant period for his administration and acknowledged their support when it mattered most.

“Our vision and desire here is to ensure that Rivers State continues to grow from strength to strength.

“It hasn’t been easy, but I feel very humbled and privileged to say that those of you here today, celebrating one of your own, are very special to us in Rivers State. We can’t pay you for doing that, but God will reward you,” he said.

In her welcome address, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Vera Sam-Dike, said the event was designed to honour an illustrious son of the state and a jurist of exceptional integrity who served with loyalty, fairness, and commitment to the rule of law.

She described Justice Daniel-Kalio’s retirement as both the end of an era and a celebration of a career that upheld justice while positively impacting many lives.

Mrs Sam-Dike praised the retired jurist’s courage, wisdom, and intellect and said the banquet was a token of appreciation and a wish for a peaceful retirement.

Responding, Justice Daniel-Kalio thanked the governor for what he called a rare show of love and candour in organising such a state reception in his honour.

He described his years on the Bench as deeply rewarding and stressed that the judiciary remains a stabiliser of any sane and progressive society.

Justice Daniel-Kalio is the immediate past Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division.

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said his administration was deploying technology for Infrastructure, governance reform and public safety, among many other uses.

The governor, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the maiden Osun digital festival held in Osogbo, Osun State, on Thursday and attended by participants from across the country, mentioned specifically the plan by his administration to implement the Osun Smart Resident ID to strengthen planning, service delivery, and security coordination.

Highlighting other sectors of the state economy that his administration has leveraged Information Communication Technology for optimum service delivery, Adeleke said the state government has reactivated the Emergency Call Centre.

“Through the toll-free number 293, citizens can now access emergency services at no cost. Under the Osun Safe City Initiative, we are advancing CCTV deployment in strategic locations.

“We are also implementing the Osun Smart Resident ID, to strengthen planning, service delivery, and security coordination. Through Imole WiFi, we are expanding public internet access across communities.

“In Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, Osun State is building a state framework for AI and blockchain deployment. Presently, we have the State Digital Protection Act and the proposed State AI Act before the House of Assembly. The framework will enable secure digital certificates, trusted government receipts, and autonomous digital services through a newly designed state website,” the governor said.

He also announced the launch of AlphaStart Hub, the first state-owned founders’ hub, adding that within one year, three hubs will be established across the senatorial districts, with headquarters at the Osun Digital City.

In education, the governor said his administration will introduce ‘Imole EduPod’ — a solar-powered, containerised mini hub with an offline CBT centre, connected through Imole WiFi, to expand digital learning access, while supporting sustainable energy use.

Assuring the state tech community of maximum support, Adeleke disclosed that “From the next fiscal year, we will be supporting upcoming tech businesses with grants and financial lifeline.”

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the governor on Science and Technology, Azeez Badmus, commended the governor for leading the charge for reforms in public administration through ICT.

“The reforms were anchored on the clear mandate of the governor. He (Adeleke) directed that technology must sit at the centre of governance. Not at the margins. At the centre. Under this mandate, we prioritised digital infrastructure. Broadband expansion is no longer confined to major towns. We are opening access across local governments because opportunity must not depend on location.

“We moved decisively on digital governance.
Key public services are now automated. Land administration processes have been streamlined. Investment platforms are online.
Payroll systems are digitised. Certifications are processed electronically. These reforms reduce delays, improve transparency, and strengthen ease of doing business,” Badmus said.

He said the administration was also investing in Osun’s youthful population through digital skills development and structured startup support to create new economic pathways.

In the recent past, the Osun State Government has been reiterating its desire to make the state a hub for innovation and technology.

The PUNCH reported in May, 2025 that the government expressed commitment to harnessing innovation and technology to drive economic growth and create opportunities for the people.

The state government also said it will provide the needed platform and resources for youths in the state to develop innovative solutions to bridging the digital divide.

The state Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Moroof Ayofe, stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Osun Challenge Initiative held in Osogbo.

Ayofe noted that the state government’s vision is to position Osun as a hub for innovation and technology.

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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has tasked stakeholders and participants in the Unified Data Architecture initiative to track performance and deliver public services with precision and speed.

Otti gave the charge on Thursday in Umuahia while declaring open a one-day Abia State Workshop on Strategic Digital Public Infrastructure and Delivery, organised for public service stakeholders.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, Otti stated, “Governance in the 21st century must be anchored on credible data and a reliable identity system.

“In an era where economies thrive on information, Abia State cannot afford to operate in silos.

“A unified data architecture will empower us to track performance, allocate resources more efficiently, improve internally generated revenue, strengthen social protection systems, and deliver public services with precision and speed.”

He added, “Without accurate data, planning becomes guesswork. Without a harmonised identity framework, service delivery becomes fragmented.”

The governor said the workshop marks a deliberate and strategic step towards correcting the gaps caused by lack of data and positioning Abia State for intelligent, evidence-based governance.

He urged participants to take the workshop seriously.

“Let me emphasise that this workshop must be practical, forward-looking, and solution-driven. The outcome must be a scalable, secure, and fit-for-purpose framework that supports every agency’s strategic objectives.

“The future of governance is digital, the future of planning is analytical, the future of accountability is data-based, and Abia State is ready to lead in this direction,” Otti emphasised.

According to the governor, the theme of the workshop, the “One Data, One Identity, One Government” initiative, is not merely a slogan but “a transformational blueprint. It seeks to integrate and harmonise data systems across Ministries, Departments and Agencies; eliminate duplication; enhance transparency; improve policy formulation; and ultimately ensure that government decisions are measurable, accountable and impactful,” he said.

He pointed out that the initiative aligns with his development philosophy, which emphasises governance that is structured, economically purposeful, and driven by measurable outcomes.

In his speech, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribeole, stressed the need to build an integrated data architecture for service delivery, noting, “Decisions can no longer rely on assumptions or fragmented evidence.

“For us to plan effectively, allocate resources appropriately, monitor our funds accurately, and deliver services efficiently, we must build an integrated data architecture anchored on a reliable identity system.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Kingsley Anosike, said that having a single source of data would enable the Abia State government to perform much better than it is doing at present.

The workshop, which attracted commissioners, special advisers, special assistants, permanent secretaries, directors, and planning officers, among others, featured sector-by-sector presentations.