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Appointment Of Ogoni Reps For HYPREP’s GC, BoT Angers MOSOP
A faction of the umbrella body of the Ogoni people, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has condemned, in strong terms, the purported appointment of some Ogoni politicians as representatives to sit on the Governing Council and the Board of Trustees of Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Programme (HYPREP).
Reacting to the development, MOSOP, therefore, called on the Minister of Environment and all those involved to undo the anti-Ogoni appointments.
The faction, in a statement signed by its President, Prince Biira, last Friday, in Port Harcourt, “warned that failure to heed advice, the organization we would have no choice than to utilize all non-violent options to ensure justice for our people”.
The statement claimed that the appointment was reportedly done by the Minister of Environment in connivance with a notable APC politician of Rivers extraction.
According to the statement, “Reports available to us indicate that they are proposed to be secretly inaugurated by Abuja to prevent protests, which may stall the inauguration. MOSOP has, thus, warned that it will do everything lawful to resist the attempt to deprive her of the right to nominate Ogoni representatives as empowered by the HYPREP governing instrument”.
Biira said, “The lack of transparency and openness in the handling of the matter is not only suspicious and provocative but also immoral and unhelpful to the smooth operations of HYPREP and the progress of the Ogoni clean-up project. Coming at a time when our people and lovers of clean and healthy environment have lost confidence in the management of the project, the approach is no less an invitation avoidable conflict that would halt the clean-up exercise, which appears to be the intent of the architects.
“The condemnable lack of progress in the execution of the project over four years of implementation has been heavily linked to unwholesome politicization of HYPREP. We have it on good authority that certain politicians are eyeing remitted and expected revenues for the Ogoni environmental recovery exercise to assure the actualization of their 2023 political ambitions hence the attempt to plant their surrogates on the apex structures of HYPREP.
“The Ogoni clean-up exercise is an entirely environmental matter and not political. Therefore, politics must be completely removed from the project for it to record success, which is presently absent. Thus, politicians must look past the funds of the Ogoni project in the pursuit of their political dreams or be embarrassed by our people.”
“The attempt to create artificial divisions in MOSOP to enhance their devious plan to seize and manipulate HYPREP to their advantage, and frustrate effective monitoring and fencing of the agency has been roundly defeated by the matured approach of the leaders of the organization. And MOSOP is unanimously determined to frustrate moves at milking the HYPREP dry.
“Recognizing that MOSOP is the organization mandated by the Ogoni people to speak and act on its behalf; acknowledging that MOSOP is an internationally acclaimed champion of environmental justices for the Ogoni people and other minorities in Nigeria and beyond and knowing also of the powers conferred on the movement by the HYPREP governing gazette, the Federal Government contacted MOSOP to, and it nominated the immediate past Ogoni members of the top organs of HYPREP. And we have evidence to this fact.
“Besides the afore-stated, taking Article 4 (2) (j) and Article 7 (1) (f) of the HYPREP governing gazette together, one would be left in no doubt as to which authority in Ogoni is empowered to make nominations to the apex structures of the special purpose agency.”
By: 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.
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.