News From Nigeria
Ebireri Henry Ovie is a renowned journalist, prolific writer and media consultant.
Educated at the University of Port-Harcourt, Nigerian Institute of Journalism and the University of Lagos, Ebireri was a senior journalist before he was appointed Media Assistant to a Deputy Governor in Lagos State.
A very ebullient and pleasant personality, Ebireri served as publicity director to various campaign organizations, Chief Press Secretary to a Speaker in Delta State and professional consultant to individuals and organizations in Nigeria and abroad,
Through his writings, his roles in several change organizations, and his actions as media consultant, Ebireri is seen as one of Africa’s top flight strategy specialists.
His exceptional professional honesty and skill in journalism and political communication as well as his understanding of the political environment have made him such a very-much sought-after and rare expert in Nigeria.
A prolific writer whose influence and image of moral integrity extend way beyond his homeland, resource person to notable Nigerians and gifted orator, Ebireri as a practicing journalist exhibited maturity, zeal and vigour and maintained all the ethics of the journalism profession.
Blessed with effortless charm, the hardworking journalist is currently the Chief Executive Officer of MediaGate Management and Consulting Limited.
Ebireri Henry Ovie is a director in MediaGate Management and Consulting Limited.
A native of Okpe-Urhobo, Ebireri attended Zik Grammar School, Sapele, St Peter Claver’s College, Aghalokpe, Baptist High School, Eku and St Patrick’s College, Asaba before entering the University of Port-Harcourt where he received his bachelor’s degree.
The renowned journalist and public relations expert spent one year with the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos.
He left NIJ to take a Master of Science at the University of Lagos.
In 2014, Ebireri assumed responsibility as director, corporate marketing, corporate development, advertising and public relations in MediaGate Management & Consulting Limited.
He is currently directing the company’s brand management, marketing research, marketing development, advertising and product publicity functions.
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EBIRERI HENRY OVIE: ICONIC JOURNALIST
Born in Eku, Nigeria, Ebireri Henry Ovie had his basic education in Sapele, Aghalokpe and Eku.
The prolific writer also attended St Patrick’s College, Asaba, University of Port Harcourt, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba and University of Lagos.
A noted teacher, journalist and political communication expert, Ebireri was political editor of NewAge, Group News Editor, National Mirror, News Editor, Business Hallmark and Deputy Editor, News Star.
The widely recognized and well-established media professional and consultant was a political aide to some top government functionaries in Nigeria.
He is currently the managing director of MediaGate Management and Consulting Limited.
In more than three decades, Ebireri has distinguished himself as Newspaper Editor, Journalist and Political Science Teacher.
He is a member of many professional and charitable bodies
EBIRERI HENRY OVIE: CELEBRATED JOURNALIST AND TEACHER
Ebireri Henry Ovie is one of political journalism’s sharpest and most respected commentators on leadership, corporate governance, the economy and human performance in Nigeria,
Born in Eku, Delta State of Nigeria, Ebireri was Reporter, Political Correspondent and Political Editor, New Age, Group News Editor, National Mirror and Deputy Editor, News Star.
He was Group News Editor of Business Hallmark, a newspaper with strong bias in political and crime reporting.
A co-founder of MediaGate Management and Consulting, Ebireri is a graduate of the University of Port-Harcourt, University of Lagos and the Nigerian Institute of Journalism with postgraduate degree and postgraduate diploma in political science and journalism.
Best known as the Newsroom Manager and for bringing clarity to the most important and complex issues in Nigeria, Ebireri was a Special Assistant to a Deputy Governor in Lagos State and Chief Press Secretary to a Speaker in Delta State House of Assembly.
A skilled panel moderator, big interviewer, seasoned newspaper columnist and features writer, Ebireri’s vast knowledge and passion are well known and respected in Nigeria, and he is credited with helping political actors and institutions to achieve set goals.
Politically, Ebireri covered every presidential election since 1992 as well as numerous governorship, senate, House of Representatives, House of Assembly and chairmanship elections in the country.
He also interviewed presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, House of Assembly and chairmanship candidates in Nigeria
In addition to his journalism, Ebireri is also a public relations and political communication consultant.
The media expert and community leader has been at the creative helm of numerous campaign organizations in Nigeria.
Active with several charitable organizations, Ebireri belongs to several professional and cultural bodies.
Ebireri Henry Ovie
Ebireri Henry Ovie grew up in Sapele and has worked as a reporter, correspondent and editor in Lagos.
He has written for New Age, National Mirror, News Star, Business Hallmark and others on issues of politics and economy.
The former Special Assistant (Media) and Chief Press Secretary is based in Lagos.
He is currently working with MediaGate Management and Consulting Limited to address governmental and non-governmental issues through the print and electronic media.
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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja “to order the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to perform their statutory functions to review downward the remuneration and allowances of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, 36 governors and members of the National Assembly.”
SERAP is arguing that “slashing jumbo pay for these high-ranking political office-holders would reduce the unfair pay disparity between political officer holders and judicial officers, address the persistent poor treatment of judges, and improve access of victims of corruption to justice and effective remedies.”
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/658/2021 filed last Friday, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the RMAFC to send its downward review of the remuneration and allowances of these high-ranking public office holders and recommendations to the National Assembly for appropriate remedial and legislative action, as provided for by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].”
SERAP is also seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the RMAFC to perform its mandatory constitutional duty to urgently review upward the remuneration, salaries and allowances, as well as the conditions of service for Nigerian judges.”
Joined in the suit as Respondents are Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, for themselves, and on behalf of all members of the Senate and House of Representative; and the National Judicial Council.
SERAP is arguing that: “While high-ranking political office-holders continue to enjoy lavish allowances, including life pensions, and access to security votes, which they have powers to spend as they wish, the remuneration and allowances of judges are grossly insufficient to enable them to maintain themselves and their families in reasonable comfort.”
According to SERAP: “The huge pay disparity between these high-ranking political officer-holders and judges is unfair, unjust and discriminatory, especially given the roles of judges to the people and the country.”
SERAP is also seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel NSIWC to perform its mandatory legal duty to urgently examine, streamline and recommend upward remuneration and allowances of Nigerian judges, and to recommend downward review of allowances of President Buhari, Vice-President Osinbajo, 36 governors and lawmakers to the National Assembly.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Adelanke Aremo, read in part: “the remuneration and allowances of judges have fallen substantially behind the average salaries and allowances of high-ranking political office-holders such as President, Vice-President, governors and lawmakers.”
“While government reviewed upward the salaries and allowances of political office holders on four occasions between May 1999 and March 2011, the salaries and allowances of judicial officers were only reviewed twice during the same period.”
“The review of the remuneration, allowances, and conditions of service for political, public and judicial office holders carried out by the RMAFC in 2009 shows huge disparity between the remuneration and allowances of judges and those of high-ranking political office-holders.”
“The NSIWC in a letter to SERAP admitted that it has powers to examine, streamline and recommend the salary scales applicable to each post in the public service but informed us to redirect our request to the RMAFC.”
“There is a legal duty upon the RMAFC to urgently review downward the remuneration and allowances of high-ranking political office-holders.”
“Judges should get all to which they are reasonably entitled, and it is unfair, illegal, unconstitutional, and discriminatory to continue to treat judges as second-class people while high-ranking political office-holders continue to enjoy lavish salaries and allowances.”
“Despite their important roles and responsibilities, Nigerian judges are poorly treated, particularly when their remuneration, salaries, allowances, and conditions of service are compared with that of political office-holders. Judges should not have to endure the most poignant financial worries.”
“The increase in the cost of living and the injustice of inadequate salaries bears heavily on judges, as it undermines their ability to effectively perform their judicial functions.”
“The roles and functions performed by judges across the country are second to none in their importance, including in facilitating access of victims of corruption and human rights violations to justice and effective remedies.”
“As a safeguard of judicial independence, the budget of the judiciary ought to be prepared in collaboration with the judiciary having regard to the peculiar needs and requirements of judicial administration.”
“The remuneration and pensions of judges must be secured by law at an adequate level that is consistent with their status and is sufficient to safeguard against conflict of interest and corruption.”
“Nigerians would continue to bear the brunt of denied access to justice, a better judiciary and a better administration of justice until judges across the country are paid what they rightly deserve.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
11/7/2021
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
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