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2015: Amaechi, Non-Indigenes Meet To Plot APC’s Victory
The Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, will tomorrow, play host to the political association of non-indigenes in the state operating under the umbrella of Non-Indigenes Political Forum (NIPF), an affiliate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A statement by the Chairman, Media/Publicity Committee, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said that the meeting is billed to hold at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on Friday at a meeting of the NIPF held at Delta Hotel in Port Harcourt to map out strategies to mobilise non-indigenes across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State for the meeting, NIPF Leader, Barr. Chuma Chinye, said it would be an opportunity to formally present the vision and mission of the forum to Governor Amaechi and the good people of Rivers State.
Barr. Chinye, who is the Rivers State Commissioner of Commerce and Industries, also said that the mother of all solidarity visits ever in Port Harcourt would signal the launching of “Operation Enthrone APC in Rivers State in 2015 as the battle for the Brick House has just begun”.
Three committees were set up during the meeting and charged to work hard to make the event a resounding success.
The Organising and Supervisory Committee is headed by the Women Leader, Chief Janet Ijede, with Chief Obinna J. K. Chukwu as secretary.
Other members of the committee are Hon. Wale Agunbiade, Mrs. Majek S.A., Mr. Emmanuel Akpabio, Alhaji Uba Muazu, Alhaji Tanko Yusuf, and Chief Calistus Nwachukwu.
The Contact and Mobilisation Committee has Chief Ade Adeogun as chairman with Chief Uchenna Okokoba and chairmen of the Akwa/Cross, Igbo, Edo/Delta, Arewa, Yoruba communities, Chiefs Joseph Udoh, Simeon Nwonye, Joseph Ijede, Alh. Halliru Imam, and Alh. Adisa Ahmed, as members.
The Media/Publicity Committee has Chief Eze C. Eze as chairman with Mr. David Iyofor and Barr. Obinna J. K. Chukwu as members.
Addressing members of the various committees, Barr. Chinye said: “The time to prove our readiness to collaborate with other stakeholders in the state and demonstrate our commitment to the people of Rivers State that we are ready to install an APC government in 2015 has come and this will be proved by the solidarity visit of April 24, 2014. I have acknowledged the encomiums on the state governor on his love for our people and placement of some of us in key positions in the affairs of governance in Rivers State, and this is the time for us to demonstrate that we are very much ready for this onerous task of saving Rivers State from the hands of some elements in PDP who want to ensure that the state is strangled both economically and otherwise and probably deal with some of us for contributing towards the emancipation and development of the State.
“We should note that this struggle is not that of Governor Amaechi but of every concerned non-indigene residing in Rivers State, because if we fail in this battle, we are all doomed, if the comments of some of the leaders of PDP criticising Governor Amaechi for encouraging us are anything to go by.”
Also speaking, Chief Uchenna Okokoba, on behalf of members, commended Barr. Chinye for exhibiting a high sense of leadership since he assumed the leadership of the forum, and assured him of the commitment of members to ensure that the vision and mission of the forum is actualised.
“Some of us have lived in Rivers State since its creation, and we must confess that apart from the Government of Alfred Diete-Spiff, no other government can be compared in terms of enhancing the development of Rivers State like that of Governor Amaechi, and that is why we are ready to sacrifice whatever that is needful to ensure that his political vision is implemented to the fullest,” Chief Okokoba said.
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.