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Agbami Scholarships Excite Rivers Indigenes
Stakeholders in Rivers State have applauded the Agbami Medical and Engineering Professionals Scholarship Awards which were presented to 183 beneficiaries from the state early in the week at the auditorium of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The scholarship was established by Agbami partners: Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited (a Chevron Company); Famfa Oil, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Statoil Nigeria Limited and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limtied (Petrobras).
Dr Elechi Amadi, the Chairman Rivers State Scholarship Board who represented the State government commended Chevron and the Agbami partners for offering the scholarships to the students stating that the Education sector in the State had a back ground of inadequacy and near desperation especially before the coming of the present administration.
The Chairman, who urged other corporate bodies to emulate Chevron because they draw their workforce from the products of the educational system, noted that the paramount role of education in the life of any nation could not be over-emphasised. “All other government programmes will ultimately collapse if education is not accorded the priority it deserves,” he stated.
In his own remarks, Rt Hon. Tonye Harry, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly commended the efforts of Chevron and its partners to address the issue of educational development for which he said the state has been disadvantaged. The speaker who was represented by Hon Hope Ikiriko, the Deputy House Leader noted that the gesture would greatly contribute to the efforts of the present State government to resuscitate the educational sector on which it has declared a state of emergency.
The Speaker, who called for the increase in the number of awardees in the next round of awards, congratulated the present recipients and the Scholarship Board confirming that the selection process was merit-based. He implored them to see the award as an opportunity to prove their mettle in their chosed professions and to come out to contribute to the development of the society. “beyond the scholarships and your educational attainment, you all should know that the essence of knowledge is not for you to depend on government for jobs, but to help create jobs by yourselves,” he stated.
Also expressing her excitement about the Agbami scholarships, Hon Maureen Tamuno, the Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Education described the gesture as a visible commitment to assisting the state in educational development.
Encouraging the awardees not to misuse the opprounity offered by the scholarships, she called on other Companies in the State to emulate Chevron and its Agbami partners.
Earlier in his remarks, Andrew Fawthrop, the Chairman/Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited noted that the Agbami deepwater partners have demonstrated commitment to conducting their business in Nigeria in a socially responsible way; lending hands to add value to the lives of the people and contributing positively to the socio-economic development of the country.
The Managing Dierctor, who was represented by Steven Shryock, the Deepwater Asset Manager, Stated that the Agbami partners were committing significant resource to Corporate Social Responsibility programs including the scholarship scheme for which N118 million has been earmarked for 860 beneficiaries during the first session. He therefore challenged the benefiaries to make the best use of the opportunity.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
