• Kalu extols his virtues
From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
DELTA State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has expressed shock at the death of former justice of the Supreme Court Justice Nikki Tobi.
The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charle Aniagwu, said the death was not only shocking but painful given his pedigree, capacity and contributions to the development of law profession in Nigeria.
“Justice Tobi was a man of many parts who excelled wherever he found himself leaving behind trails of credibility and integrity. I am shocked and pained by this death. A man of humility, credibility and high integrity has passed on,” he said.
Describing the late Justice Tobi as a pride to Ijaw nation and Delta State, who had made the country proud through his contributions to the development of law practice in Nigeria, Okowa said Justice Tobi “excelled in two difficult worlds. He was excellent in the academic world as a lecturer and became a reference point in the legal world.
Also, eminent business- man and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, described Tobi as an outstanding legal icon who committed his career to the development of the Nigerian judicial system. Kalu added that Tobi’s demise was a painful loss not only to the judiciary but, also, to the nation at large.
According to the former governor, the late jurist, who was one-time Dean of the Faculty of Law and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Services), University of Maiduguri, demonstrated professionalism, selflessness and forthrightness in his academic and legal endeavours.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu, said: “Nigeria has lost a great personality. Justice Tobi was a shin-ing light in the judiciary. “His intellectual capacity was of immense value to several verdicts of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court where he served in
different capacities. “It is worthy to acknowledge the significant role played by Justice Tobi in the review of the draft 1999 Constitution under the regime of General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
“The good deeds of the late academic and legal luminary will remain evergreen in the minds of Nigerians.
“As we mourn the former Supreme Court judge, it is my prayer that God Almighty will give the deceased’s family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”
The businessman admonished the family to take solace in the fact that their patriarch lived a purposeful life worthy of emulation, adding that those he left behind must emulate his legacies. Commiserating with the government and people of Delta State, the Justices and Staff of the Supreme Court and the entire judiciary in Nigeria, Kalu prayed God to grant the deceased a blissful rest.
In the same vein, Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has described Tobi’s death as a personal loss, not only to him, but, also, to the government and people of the state.
Dickson said he received the news of Justice Tobi’s death with shock, sadness and a great sense of loss.
Aschairman of the 2005 National Political Reforms Conference, under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dick- son said, Justice Tobi gave exceptional and enviable leadership.
Justice Tobi, a native of Esanma in Bomadi Local Government Area of Del- ta State, died on June 19, during a protracted illness at the age of 76 years.