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‘Why We Chose Rivers For Miss ECOWAS’
The President of ECOWAS, Mohammad Ibn Chambers says Rivers State was deliberately chosen to host the Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant to show that contrary to media reports and negative perceptions, the state is peaceful.
Mr. Chambers dropped the hint yesterday when he led the organisers and contestants in the Beauty Pageant, on a courtesy visit to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The ECOWAS President noted that Rivers State apart from being peaceful is making appreciable progress and huge strides that would not only be to the benefit of the state and Nigeria, but to the West African sub-region and the entire African Continent.
While acknowledging the dynamic leadership role of Governor Amaechi in the past two years, he explained that the hosting of the second Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant would not have been possible without the personal commitment of Governor Amaechi.
He said all ECOWAS member states, except two, are represented by young ladies who are not only here to show their outer beauty but their inner character and determination to be an example for all the youths in the region, and to build a future of peace, dialogue, understanding and regional integration.
Mr. Chambers expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Rivers State for hosting the first edition of the event in Port Harcourt last year and the second edition this year.
He stated that two prominent musicians from the continent, Mr Jimmy Cliff and Alpha Blonde, have been slated for Awards this year for their pioneering role in music, particularly in Reggae, which has an African root.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi thanked the President of ECOWAS for the privilege of hosting the event as he explained that it is not all about money, if not there could have been many other people to host, but it was about the relationship between the state and the leadership of ECOWAS.
Governor Amaechi who recalled one of the popular songs of Jimmy Cliff, “House of Exile” acknowledged his work and those of other black reggae musicians whom he said used music as a tool to struggle to make every country in Africa gain political independence.
He said before now, music had meaning, but now, musicians play because people want to dance, pointing out that one interesting thing about Raggae is that it originated from Africa.
In their separate speeches, Jimmy Cliff and another music icon, Alfa Blonde, who spoke in French, said they are highly honoured to be in Rivers State for what they described as an historic event.
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.