News
Council Boss In N500m Fraud Scam
The Executive Chairman of Ahoada-East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Cassidy Ikegbidi Wednesday failed to absolve himself from the allegation of misappropriation of over N486,065,183.62 billion in 2011 brought against him by a former councillor, Hon Bright Nelson.
Chief Ikegbidi appeared before the state House of Assembly Committee on Ethics and Privileges in Port Harcourt following a petition against him by the former councillor for Ward 7 of the local government.
The petitioner alleged that the Ahoada East chairman received N130,186,351.44 for the month of October,, N277, 994,815.07 for November and N127,884,053.11 for December, all in 2011, but did not execute any contract worth N20 million within the period, but rather diverted the funds to acquire personal properties.
The petition dated January 24, 2012, equally alleged that the Ahoada East council boss pays N1million to his sister, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and N400,000 to his mother, monthly from the council’s coffers and owns seven private cars bought with the council’s funds in addition to other properties acquired within the period.
Dismissing the issues raised in the petition as baseless, Chief Cassidy Ikegbidi said that the petitioner was a defeated chairmanship candidate of the Labour Party at the last council elections in the area.
The council boss hinted that the cars in question were bought before he became the Chairman of the council except one that he uses as official car.
Chief Ikegbidi who could not give account of funds received within the period, directed the treasurer of the council, Mr Gershon Tyger to provide the facts and figures to the committee.
The six-member committee after persuading the treasurer to look at the files before him and give them the figures of the three months allocations, met a brick wall when Mr Tyger appeared not to recognise the figures in the files.
The House Committee therefore ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to the Assembly to detain the Treasurer at the police post located at the Assembly complex.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee and Deputy Chairman, Hon Nname Ewoh, said the committee invited both parties in line with relevant laws which empowered the House to make laws for the councils and to investigate such petitions in exercise of its constitutional powers.
The committee chairman before adjourning the meeting for two weeks, urged the council chairman to build up his defence before the next date and the petitioner to provide evidence of some of the allegations.
He assured that the committee would be patient to hear all the issues and would be fair to the parties to ensure that justice was done.
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.