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We ’ll Not Negotiate With Abductors – Jonathan …Assures On Rescue Of Chibok Girls
Security personnel at the scene of Nyanya explosion in Abuja, last Friday
President Goodluck Jonathan has denied that the Federal Government was negotiating with the Boko Haram insurgents on the release of the 276 female students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, even as he said that there was no indication so far that the girls have been hurt.
He stated this during the presidential media chat yesterday evening in Abuja.
He pleaded for the support of the parents and guardians of the girls in the various efforts being made to secure their release.
“We need every information, their pictures, names and any other details that we can get to put this incident behind us. We are trying our best and appreciate the concern of Nigerians over the situation in the country”, Jonathan stated.
President Jonathan narrated the efforts of the government through the deployment of Military, Airforce, Police and other security agencies in the search for the girls and reaffirmed the determination of the government to rescue the kidnapped students.
The president who noted that the nation and the world was passing through a trying period, said that due to the vantage position of the country, groups that wish to attack the black race would make Nigeria their target.
“In population and economy, Nigeria is the centre of Africa. So any group of people who wish to attack the black race will attack Nigeria”, the president said.
He described the bombing of Nyanya in Abuja and other parts of the North as quite worrisome and called for needed information from members of the public to assist government in its bid to win the battle against insurgency.
Jonathan who noted that the approach adopted by the Boko Haram was quite different from that of the then Niger Delta militants in the sense that the militants made themselves available to the government for negotiations.
On the declaration of full state of emergency in the three Northern States, the president expressed worry that Nigerians have different understanding of State of Emergency.
According to him some Nigerians were more concerned with the effect of the step on the democratic or political structures as against the ultimate goal of the strategy.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has allayed the fear of Nigerians of possible increase of official pump price of Petroleum products.
President Goodluck Jonathan while answering question during the presidential Media Chat yesterday in Abuja exonerated government’s involvement in the discrepancy in the sale of Petrol in the country by oil marketers who are in the habit of manipulating the pump price.
Describing the acts as tantamount to stealing, Jonathan stated that he would set up a committee to investigate the allegation of meter manipulation in the nation.
“I’ll not change pump price. The law said you have to announce and gazzatte it before you change the official pump price. But I have no plan to change pump price “he said.
He particularly called on DPR which is the agency responsible for the monitoring of pump price to rise up to the challenges.
Commenting on the epileptic power supply across the nation, he solicited for the patience of the citizens for the generating (GENCOS) and distributing (DISCOS) companies in the country to grow.
He said the nation was not moving as fast as needed but assured that the step taken to privatise the sector would boost socio-economic development.
Jonathan who described stability of power as the nation’s greatest challenge mentioned absence of metre and gas supply as the new challenges confronting the new investors in the power sector.
Speaking on the World Economic Forum, the President said it was aimed at opening interactions between Nigerians, the government and foreign businessmen in its bid to foster the nation’s economic frontiers in all spheres of economic endeavours.
Chris Oluoh
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.
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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.
