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2019: INEC Registers 511,378 New Voters In Rivers
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State, Mr Obo Effanga, has confirmed the registration of 511,378 new voters in the state as part of the continuous voter registration ahead of the 2019 general election.
Of the total 511,378 new registrants from last year, 227, 423 are women while 283, 985 are men, Effanga disclosed this as he received executive officers of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), an affiliate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), at the commission’s state office in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The commissioner advocated that journalists should help educate and enlighten the women, especially on the need to come out to participate in the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise in the remaining days ahead as well as ensure that their votes count in the forthcoming elections.
Effanga hinted that before the suspension of the CVR on August 17, 2018 in order to allow for the harmonization and production of permanent voters’ cards (PVCs), the commission had considered some feedback on the public’s inability to participate in the CVR, adding that it was for that reason that the commission has extended the starting time and number of days for the CVR exercise.
He explained that the CVR exercise would now be done every day of the week from 9am to 5pm instead of the usual 9am to 3pm, and hoped that the extension of time and days to August 17 would enable eligible voters in the state to register to exercise their franchise in 2019.
Effanga appealed to women journalists in Rivers State to assist in promoting the activities of the commission while enlightening the electorate on the need to jettison apathy and actively participate in the 2019 elections through informed indebt investigative reporting aimed at ensuring free, fair, transparent, credible and non-violent elections.
He stated that the issue of violence during elections was of great concern to INEC, adding that it was as a result of the immature nature of the nation’s political culture and socio-political evolution and the desperation of politicians.
He also noted the issue of vote buying by the political parties, especially in the just-concluded Ekiti State governorship elections, and said that it was wrong to blame INEC for the trend, insisting that INEC’s sole responsibility was to conduct free, fair, and credible elections in the country.
The REC commended the women journalists for remaining strong and resolute in making positive impact not only in journalism, but in the promotion of the cause of women in Nigeria, and urged the press to do more to improve the lot of women in national development.
Speaking during a courtesy visit, the Chairperson, NAWOJ, Mrs Lilian Ogabu-Okonkwo, who led the delegation, appealed to the INEC resident electoral commissioner to put necessary machinery in place to secure and guarantee the safety of women journalists during the 2019 elections.
Ogabu-Okonkwo added that the violent nature of Nigerian politics was negatively affecting women during elections as the hostilities that pervade the system scare away women journalists and politicians, and appealed for a deliberate attempt to secure and protect the place of women politicians and aspirants into political offices.
She stressed that when women aspirants are protected, more women would be encouraged to participate in the on-going Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) as well as vie for any position of their choice in future elections.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.