News

Nigeria Wins UN Security Council Election

Published

12 years ago

October 18, 2013

Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii (right), with Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke.

Nigeria was yesterday elected into the UN Security Council for 2014 to 2015 term with 186 votes out of 193 votes.
The UN Correspondent who monitored the elections reports that Nigeria’s election was for the non-permanent seat of the council which comprises 15 members.
Nigeria and Chad clinched the two seats for the African group currently held by Morocco and Togo.
NAN reports that Nigeria, Chad, Saudi Arabia, Chile and Lithuanian, were elected on the first round of the election as they secured two-third of the votes.
In her reaction, the Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Joy Ogwu, expressed satisfaction on the outcome of the election.
Ogwu assured that Nigeria would promote preventive diplomacy for peace as a fulcrum of its agenda at the council.
UN Security Council has five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
The 10 non-permanent members were elected for two-year terms by the 193 members of the UN General Assembly.
They are: Argentina (2014), Australia (2014), Azerbaijan (2013), Guatemala (2013), Luxembourg (2014), Morocco (2013), Pakistan (2013), Republic of Korea (2014), Rwanda (2014) and Togo (2013).
Nigeria polled the required votes of 2/3 of 186 votes out of the 191votes casted by both permanent and non-permanent members of the council that took part during the election.
The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, attended the election.
Meanwhile, Diplomats and members of the academia have hailed Nigeria’s election to the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the 2014-2015 term.
Our correspondent reports that Nigeria, Chad, Chile, Lithuania and Saudi Arabia were on Thursday elected to serve in the council beginning from Jan. 1.
Prof. Saleh Dauda, an international relations expert, described the election as a reflection of Nigeria’s return to the world stage as a regional power in Africa.
Dauda, a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Abuja, told newsmen that he expected the country to seize the opportunity of the election to contribute more to international peace and security.
“Nigeria’s election is a testimony that we are regaining our rightful place in international relations and this is attributable to improved image of Nigeria due to improvements in internal domestic issues.
“There is respect for human rights now in the country, stable polity and there is a growing influence of Nigeria in the international systems.
“Although the election will not solve our internal problems, it can improve our internal affairs and enhance the credibility of Nigerians who travel abroad,’’ he said.
On priorities for the Nigeria delegation to the council for the next two years, the don said he would like to see African problems take the front burner.
“We should be able to articulate African problems with a view to attracting international support on issues such as desertification, HIV, malaria, stable governance and terrorism.’’
In his reaction, a former Nigeria ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Mogaji Mohammed, said the election would enhance Nigeria’s credibility.
“This election by the world body will make Nigeria play more active role in international security.”
Mohammed said he was confident the election would help attract foreign direct investment to Nigeria.
Also speaking Rep. Nnenna Ukeje, chairperson House Committee on Foreign Relations, said the election would spur Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat in the council.
Ukeje appealed to the UN body to hasten its reform process and heed member states’ calls for expansion of the council.
Nigeria has served four two-year terms in the council since it became a UN member in 1960, the most recent being 2010-2011.
In 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan proposed the creation of a conflict mediation commission within the office of the UN Secretary-General to develop strategies for the resolution of disputes across the world.
In his speech at the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, Jonathan said the commission should be tasked with collating information on conflicts, identifying the parties and developing rules of engagement.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.