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RSG To Site CCS Centres In LGAs …Seeks House-To-House Sanitation Inspection
Rivers State Government has expressed her desire to localise the Cervical Cancer Screening Centres to bring its services closer to the people at the rural areas.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, stated this when members of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), paid her a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Banigo noted that government was determined to improving the health of the people through the provision of quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare to all its citizenry in the state, and commended the women for embarking on the cancer screening programme.
“I am glad that you carried out expansion of cervical cancer screening outside the Port Harcourt centre, by reaching out to communities, even in the riverine areas. This is commendable because not all will be able to reach the Port Harcourt Centre. It is necessary for us to make the vaccination available for our young girls and men too.” the Deputy Governor said.
Banigo also decried the poor level of sensitization in the area of breast feeding and urged them to extend their reach to the rural dwellers.
“As a country, we were recording almost 100 percent in breast feeding, but it has reduced to 17 percent.” I think you must take the challenge to educate and encourage our women to undertake exclusive breast feeding.” Banigo stated.
She charged the Doctors to bring back compassion to the medical practice to help restore confidence of Patients, while promising to assist them in their programmes to achieve set objectives.
Earlier, the President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Rivers State Branch, Dr. Adebiyi Obelebra, said they came to identify with the Deputy Governor as one of their own and to express their excitement at her elevation.
Dr Obelebra promised to partner the Wike-Led administration in implementing activities that will promote the health of women and children in the state.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has charged Environmental Health officers in the state to collaborate with government in its task of returning Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.
Banigo gave the charge when the Environmental Health Officers, from the state Ministry of Health, led by Mr. Kikpoye Philip paid her a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor who recalled their traditional role of “House to House” inspection, urged the sanitary officers to gear up activities that will put Residents of the state on their toes in maintaining the culture of cleanliness.
“I employ you to start House to House inspection of premises to ensure that our environments are clean and we must keep the people on their toes, to keep their homes, streets and surroundings clean and neat.” she asserted.
She noted the priority attention accorded the issue of environmental cleanliness, by the Government, that necessitated the appointment of a Sole Administrator by Governor Wike, shortly after assumption of office to tackle the huge refuse that littered the streets of Port Harcourt and its environs
Banigo lauded Governor Nyesom Wike and the Sole Administrator, Waste Management Agency, Bro. Felix Obuah for their doggedness in bringing sanity to the environment insisting that education and sensitization was necessary to achieve environmental cleanliness.
Earlier, the leader of the Environmental Health Services Unit, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, Mr. Kikpoye Philip, congratulated the present Government on its well deserved victory at the April polls and pledged the loyalty and support of the officers to the State Government.
Mr. Philip noted the existence of a wide gap occasioned by depletion of Environmental Health Officers, as many senior officers are being retired without replacements.
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.
