News
Saraki Tasks NLNG On Gas Flaring
President of the Senate
, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has advised the management and board of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), to work towards achieving a minimum percentage of gas flaring in the country, stating that it is by so doing that activities of the gas company would be appreciated by Nigerians.
Saraki also pledged the commitment of the 8th Senate and indeed the National Assembly to foster business-friendly laws in the country.
The Senate President gave the charge on Monday when he granted audience to the outgoing Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Babs Omotowa, who came to introduce the in-coming Managing Director, Tony Attah to him.
According to a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Senate Predident, Chuks Okocha, Saraki, responding to the Managing Director ’s remarks (during which he indicated that the NLNG has succeeded in reducing gas flaring in Nigeria from 60 per cent to 20 per cent,) emphasised the need to improve on the much the company had achieved in terms of gas flaring.
“There is need to do more. You have to work harder so that you can further reduce the current status of gas flaring in Nigeria,” Saraki said .
While pledging the support of the National Assembly in efforts to end gas flaring in the country, Saraki told the management of the NLNG that the National Assembly would not relent in its efforts to ensure the enthronement of business-friendly incentives for economic development of the country.
He explained that it was in this regard that the Senate facilitated the review of the Railways Laws, inherited from the colonial masters over 50 years ago.
The Senate President explained that the review of the Railway Laws is central to the success of economic reforms in the country.
Saraki also used the opportunity to call for the private sector participation in railway development in Nigeria, pointing out that, “no government can fully fund railways development as it is central to economic reforms.”
Saraki also advised the management of the NLNG to float projects which would impact positively on the lives of their host community in Bonny. He made special reference to good roads.
The Senate President advised the management of the NLNG to ensure that there is improvement in the use of domestic gas for cooking as it would drastically reduce the use of firewood for cooking in the country and consequently help to preserve the environment.
Earlier, the out-going Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Babs Omotowa said that the management team was at the National Assembly to introduce Mr. Tony Attah who is billed to assume duties as the new Managing Director of the company on September 1.
He also thanked the Senate President who is the Chairman of the National Assembly for providing a fruitful and conducive atmosphere for the NLNG during his tenure as the chief executive of the gas company, while urging him to extend the same relationship to his successor, Tony Attah.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
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.