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RSHA Admits Re-Elected Members
The 11 re-elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the March 19 2016 re-run election in the state yesterday took their oaths of office as confirmed law makers of the House.
They were sworn-in during the plenary session in the chambers of the House by the Clerk, Mr.Oba Standford in Port Harcourt.
Those sworn-in at the plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adams Dabotorudima are Hon. Adoki Tonye Smart for Port Harcourt constituency 11, Hon. Edison Ehie Ogereny for Ahoada East constituency 11, Hon. Major Jack-Akuku-Toru Constituency 1 and Hon. Martyns Manah for Ahoada East Constituency 1.
The others include, Hon. Samuel Ogeh for Emohua Constituency, Hon. Christian Ahiakwo for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu for Omuma Constituency, Hon. Andrew Miller for Opobo/Nkoro Constituency, Hon. Anabraba Benibo for Akuku-Toru Constituency 11, and Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule and Micheal O. Chinda for Obio/Akpor Constituency 1 and 11 respectively.
Of the 11 lawmakers sworn-in, nine are of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and two for the All Progressives Congress (APC). They are to join the nine earlier inaugurated, bringing the total number of sitting lawmakers to 20 out of the 32-member legislature.
Prior to the swearing-in of the lawmakers, a letter of interim order from court was read by the Speaker of the house in which Hon. Victor Nyeche of Port Harcourt Constituency 11 was restrained from being sworn-in as a member of the State House of Assembly.
In the letter, Hon. Nyeche was alleged to have impersonated membership of the House in a petition she wrote with the State House of Assembly letter-head paper against the retired Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha as substantial Chief Judge of Rivers State.
According to the Speaker, the letter of interim order was signed by Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli of the State high Court following a suit from Integrity Group led by Livingstone Nwuche restraining the elected APC candidate of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Victoria Nyeche from being sworn-in as member of the House pending the determination of the substantive suit.
However, Hon. Nyeche denied knowledge of any injunction against her by the court.
She claimed to be hearing the matter for the first time at the Assembly’s plenary session, saying she was not served any court order restraining her from being sworn-in.
Nyeche said she will seek legal advice of her lawyer on the next line of action to be taken on the matter.
She was alleged to be using the Rivers State House of Assembly letter-heading paper while she was yet to be sworn-in as member of the House.
Enoch Epelle
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.