News
2019: Ensure Votes Count, Wike Tasks Broadcasters
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on broadcasters to work to ensure that the votes of Nigerians count in 2019.
“You have a responsibility. You have a role to play. If you don’t play that role, history will not forgive you. You owe this country truthful reportage of the emerging political events”, he said.
The governor also announced the immediate sack of the General Managers of Rivers State Television, Garden City FM and Radio Rivers for failing to participate in the activities of the Broadcasting Organisation Nigeria (BON).
“I hereby sack the General Managers of the three state-owned Radio Stations. BON will be here in Rivers State for their AGM and the General Managers of the three state-owned are not here, when those from other states are here. People must learn to take their jobs seriously “, he said.
He spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt last Monday during a courtesy visit by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).
“BON must work towards telling the world that things are not working in the country. This federal government has failed”, he said.
He said that BON must strive to hold the Federal Government to account on issues of credible elections.
The governor said: “Why are you not broadcasting on key issues that negatively affect the people ? Why are you not telling the people the truth? BON should play their critical role as we head into 2019”.
The governor declared that President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to sign the fifth amended Electoral Act because they want to rig the 2019 General election.
“ You must work to ensure that the votes of the people count in 2019. For us in Rivers State, nobody can rig us out. We are prepared to ensure that the votes of our people count. There is only one party in this state and that is the PDP”, he said.
He noted that INEC as an institution has become irresponsible, working against the processes for credible polls.
Governor Wike said that the build up towards 2019 does not indicate that there will be credible elections.
Earlier, the Chairman of Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria, Mr John Momoh thanked the Rivers State Government for hosting the organisation.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government says Rivers State is a media friendly environment.
The State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike made this assertion while speaking at the 71stGeneral Assembly of Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) at Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, 27th November, 2018.
Represented by His Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike said ”out of over 250 radio and television stations in Nigeria under your organization; over 25 of these stations are located in Rivers State”, noting that the State has provided the needed investors’ friendly environment for them to operate.
He said the State Government also embarked on a number of projects that positively impacted on the lives of people resident in the State which includes good road networks, bridges, jetties, schools, hospitals, markets amidst adequate security.
Governor Wike however regretted that some media houses do not present the true positions of events in Rivers State.
“They collaborate with the opposition to paint and present Rivers State in bad light before the national and international communities. This is unbecoming of the media profession and grossly unfair and we call on BON to do the needful to bring such erring members to sanity”. Governor Wike stressed.
The Governor reminded BON that it has a great role to play in the upcoming 2019 General Elections, stressing that Prompt and accurate reportage of events would go a long way in curbing incidences of election rigging in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed who spoke through the Director of PR/Protocol in his Ministry, Sunday Baba expressed delight that the meeting came at the commencement of the 2019 electioneering campaigns, noting that under the guise of freedom of speech and information some people had disparaged individuals and institutions with fake news which according to him is counterproductive.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria, John Momoh said it was a wakeup call for broadcasters to re-examine their roles and discern for themselves the next step forward in the complex space of the art of today’s broadcasting, noting that the General Assembly offers broadcasters another opportunity to do this which according to him is justified by the theme”Changing Media Landscape.”
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.