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RVHA Okays N510bn 2018 State Budget …Approves Request To Reconstitute RSIEC
The Rivers State House of Assembly finally approved the 2018 Appropriation Bill, including the Re-enactment of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill 2018, Rivers State Local Government Repeal and Re-enactment Bill of 2018 and Kenule Beeson Polytechnic Bill of 2017.
The House had conducted a marathon sitting of over four hours to ensure that the bills which had been committed to Committee and Public hearings got Third Readings yesterday.
On the Appropriation Bill, the legislators voted in unison to approve the N510 billion budget proposal for 2018. The Speaker had described the action of the lawmakers as a “sacrifice” for the state.
Giving a run down of the bill, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani described the budget as a balanced one in the sense that it covers both capital and recurrent expenditures appropriately.
According to him, out of the N510 billion proposed, N23 billion was earmarked for the Administrative sector, Economic Sector got N123.4 billion, Law/Justice got N4.3 billion and Social Sector had N150 billion.
Based on the recommendation of the House Appropriation Committee comprising all House Standing Committees, the recurrent expenditure of N130 billion and capital expenditure of N379 billion were found appropriate for the overall benefit of the state.
In the words of the Speaker, “the people of Rivers State will be better served”, as he further pointed out that, “the state is aiming to become self reliant with improved Internally generated revenue which is the major source of funding the budget at about 60 per cent.
Rt. Hon. Ibani expressed hope that with the passage of the bill, “the era of going cap in hand is over”.
On the Keunle Saro Wiwa Polytechnic Bill of 2017, the law seeks to repeal and re-enact some subsisting laws, especially law No. 6 which provides for the functions, management and staffing of the institution with existing laws.
With the bill passed into law, the Polytechnic will now operate as others in the country with two Deputy Rectors, one for admin and another for academics.
The new RSIEC Bill (HA10) 2018 as passed by the legislators is aimed at aligning the commission with the Federal Electoral laws.
The lawmakers recommended that members of the commission should be apolitical with a tenure of five years, and after taking votes of members on the floor, 20 lawmakers gave nod to the new RSIEC law and assured that all inconsistencies as recorded in the old law would be removed.
Meanwhile, the House yesterday approved request by the governor to remove some members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The request sought to remove Dr. Chimaroke Mgba, Mgbana Martins, Tombo Johnson, Kingsley Obudibo and Dr. Juliet Berewari as members of RSIEC.
The lawmakers voted in support of the Governor’s request, as the Majority Leader, Hon. Martin Amawehule cited Section 201 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), which gives the governor powers to hire and fire based on 2/3 approval of the House.
Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ibani observed that if the Commissioners have been found wanting, then, the House will do the needful, “an umpire should not be partisan for an electoral body to conduct an election it must be seen as above board”.
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.