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Ex-Agitators Tackle FG Over East/West Rd, Ogoni Clean-Up
A coalition of ex-militants group, Council for Mass Action in the Niger Delta has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of deliberatly neglecting the Niger Delta region since he came to power, saying it was paying lip service to the Clean-up of Ogoni land in Rivers State.
The group in online statement issued by its spokesman, Godswill Tamuno and tittled ‘A Clarion Call for the Redemption and Salvation of the Niger Delta’ and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, also accused the federal government of not adequately funding the presidential amnesty programme.
While alleging that the incumbent federal administration has not initiated any new project in the oil and gas rich area, the group expressed worry that previous on-going projects such as the East West Road that was nearing completion has been abandoned by the present government.
The council further alleged that over $6.4 billion had been spent on intervention programmes in the North Eastern region of Nigeria and called the attention of the international community and people of the region to ill treatment meted out to the area that produces the wealth of the nation.
The council for Mass Action in the Niger Delta stated that militant groups in the area may be compelled to renege on all previous agreements if the neglect of the region continuous.
The statement reads, “We wish to call the attention of all people of the Niger Delta, the international community and all men of goodwill, to the increasingly poor treatment that the Niger Delta and its people has been receiving from the government of President Muhammadu Buhari since his inauguration as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2015.
”For three whole years and counting, the government of General Muhammadu Buhari, has deliberately launched a campaign to subdue, neglect and abandon the Niger Delta.
“There has been no new project and no new vision for the Niger Delta. In fact, old projects such as the East West Road that was reaching completion stage has been recklessly abandoned.
”Old ongoing programmes such as the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been largely neglected and abandoned.
”Instead, resources from the Niger Delta are being channeled to fund interventionist programmes in North East Nigeria much to the chagrin to former militants and combatant elements in the Niger Delta.
”More than $6.4 billion has been spent on intervention programmes in the North Eastern region of Nigeria. A $2 billion Refinery project is being planned for the border town of Mashi in President Buhari’s home state of Katsina. The refinery project will also include a multi-billion dollar pipeline that will run from Katsina state to Niger Republic.
”It does not matter that the old Kaduna refinery, which was built for billions of naira sourced from the Niger Delta has today failed. Also a multi-billion dollar railway line is also being planned to run from Daura, President Buhari’s home town to Maradi in Niger State through the Nigerian – Nigerien border town of Jibia, among others. Yet, the same Federal Government continues to complain of lack of funds to prosecute the Clean-Up of Ogoni land and complete the East West Road.
”Should we therefore assume that because the people of the Niger Delta have chosen the path of dialogue and peace, the Buhari regime has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the development of the Niger Delta region?
”The Presidential Amnesty Programme, which was designed to cater for former agitating elements in the Niger Delta, has been completely abandoned with funding almost completely stopped. Should our people therefore reject the Amnesty Programme and declare an end to the truce with the Nigerian state?
The statement further said the continued neglect of the region has resulted in increased insecurity there and a rise in the establishment of illegal oil refineries with an attendant increase in environmental pollution.
”There is continued increased in poverty, pain, hardship and squalor. Communities who produce oil and gas are even worse hit. We therefore call on all groups in the Niger Delta to rise up to the new challenge. If the Presidential Amnesty Programme cannot be properly funded and catered for, then our people will reject it and all former combatants will renege on all existing agreements.
”If the resources of the Niger Delta cannot be used to improve the quality of life of our people, then there will be no need for fight for peace in the Niger Delta. It will amount to full blown debauchery if we sit back and allow the exploitation of the Niger Delta to continue while our people are given a cold shoulder by the Buhari government.
”The time has come for all men of goodwill to return to the drawing board. It is time to redeem, rescue and salvage the Niger Delta. We call on all former agitating groups in the Niger Delta to come together and chart a new way forward,” the statement reads.
By: Denis Nnku.
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.