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Nigerians Hail Jonathan On National Confab
Some Nigerians yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his endorsement of a National Conference.
Our correspondent reports that President Goodluck Jonathan announced the approval of a National Conference yesterday while addressing the nation on the country’s 53rd independence anniversary.
The President said that a committee on the National Conference was being set up.
Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Muda Yussuf, said it was a good development.
“It will give Nigerians the opportunity to talk and this is another expression of the fact that our democracy is getting stronger.
“Freedom to discuss on how we live together is a good development, but what is more important for our country at this time is good leadership,” Yusuf said.
A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa, commended the President for the initiative, adding that it must be geared towards meeting genuine aspirations of the people.
“What Nigerians are yearning for is a conference that will see to the resolution of the fundamental problems of our nation.
“The Federal Government must confer with civil society organisations and various other entities and get their various representatives to form consultative committee to pilot the birth of this National Conference.
“Nigerians should be involved. We have gone through this road before and we didn’t get anywhere.
“I believe we should be saved from that scenario, it should be a fruitful conference,” Olu-Adegboruwa said.
The National Coordinator, Publish What You Pay, Mrs Faith Nwadishi, said that it was a welcome idea, but advised that decisions taken at the conference should be implemented.
”It is now time for people to elect those that will represent them at the conference, we shouldn’t just sit back if we want our objectives to be met,” she said.
In Enugu, the Executive Director of the African Heritage Institution (AHI), Dr Ifediora Amobi, also commended the President for hearkening to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
According to him, this is the first time a President will appreciate Nigerians from all walks of life for their support in spite of the numerous challenges facing the country.
“It was a reassuring and promising speech. It shows that he is really concerned about the plight and needs of the people.
“The setting up of the committee is quite a surprisingly welcome development. This is something we do not hear often, rather we hear of all the things government has done,’’ he said.
Amobi, who is also marking his 53rd birthday with the country, however, advised the President to ensure that the committee comprised credible people from the public and private sectors.
The Director-General of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Emeka Okereke, expressed optimism that the effort would provide the needed space to reshape the country.
“It is a welcome development as long as it will provide the needed tools to retool and rework Nigeria,’’ he said.
The National President of Nigeria Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE), Princess Ada Ozongwu, also commended the president for setting up the committee, and called for inclusion of women in the committee.
“I have always felt there is a need for us to sit and talk about issues that affect us. The President is putting a right foot forward by setting up a committee.
“He should go the extra mile to ensure that the women take their pride of place in terms of numerical strength in that committee.
“They should be women who will make solid contributions that will benefit us,’’ she said.
A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo , said that the Federal Government’s decision was a victory for Nigerians.
He said government’s decision was an indication that it was listening to yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
‘’ In retrospect, government has admitted that the existing institutions for representation that we have seem not to be truly representing the interest of Nigerians and that Nigerians need another vehicle.
‘’ Also, the existing mechanisms that we have, the national, state and local assemblies, seem unable to address some fundamental issues that need to be tabled within the platform of the National Conference,’’ he said.
Ukiwo, however, said it might be too early to jump into conclusion on what the committee’s recommendations on the proposed conference would look like.
He said the political reform conference convened by the Federal Government in 2005 ended without achieving any tangle objective.
‘’ I think that, in as much as we acknowledged that government has shifted ground, we want to hope that unlike in previous dispensation, Nigerians will be allowed to go through the logical conclusions
”Kudos to government for acknowledging that need and shifting ground and beginning to think of a possibility of convening such a conference,’’ Ukiwo said
A woman leader in Akwa Ibom, Obonganwan Edith Etete, said that President Jonathan’s decision to hold a national conference was a welcome development.
Etete, who leads the yearly anniversary of the 1929 Women Riot in Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom, said that the dialogue would be an opportunity for Nigerians to discuss their problems.
‘’It is a worthwhile exercise to listen to ourselves, our challenges and the way out,’’ she said.
The 2011 gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Akwa Ibom, Mr David Ekanem, said that such conference was necessary in a democracy.
Ekanem said that the problem confronting the nation had always been the lack of political will to do what is right.
‘’It is not that we don’t know what our problem is; we have had several conferences in the past, what has become of them?’’
Ekanem said that the proposed national conference would afford the different ethnic and religious groups the opportunity to come out and state their grievances.
Dr Aniekan Brown, a don, advised that the proposed national dialogue should not be ‘’another time-buying device’’.
Brown, who teaches Sociology at the University of Uyo, urged the Federal Government to show commitment towards implementing the recommendations of the conference.
He prayed that God should guide Nigerians on to the right path, while wishing the country a bright future.
The Akwa Ibom State Chairman of All Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr Linus Udofia, expressed regret that Nigeria was still grappling with teething problems of nationhood at 53.
He called on the Federal Government to create an environment for all ethnic groups to state their problems at the envisaged national conference.
Udofia advised that the proposed national conference should be a sovereign one.
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.
