News
Amaechi Laments Ngo Black-out …Indicts Council Chairman
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has condemned the absence of power supply at Ngo, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area and blamed the council chairman for giving priority to building a legislative chamber rather than repair a broken down generator.
The state chief executive who yielded to the general demand of the people to assist in the provision of light in the area yesterday during his official visit to the area randomly picked a three man committee including a woman to constitute a committee that would be empowered by government to undertake the procurement, transportation and installation of a new generator to replace the bad one.
Governor Amaechi said the state government is determined to pursue the rural electrification policy of the present administration under the 2010 fiscal year.
He said the decision is aimed at providing the communities in the area with electricity to encourage small scale business enterprises that would have a multiplier effect on the rural economy.
According to Amaechi, the state government would renovate the Ngo general hospital, equip it and post medical officers to attend to the people’s health needs, in addition to completing the model health centres in the various communities to handle minor health cases.
Governor Amaechi also reiterated his government’s promise to provide the communities with potable water to check the outbreak of water borne diseases, noting that the construction and equipping of model primary schools would be completed to enhance the standard of education in the state.
At Ataba community, the governor charged the people to re-integrate all interest groups and embrace peaceful co-existence as it would be the only way for government to provide them with more basic amenities.
He directed the council chairman to liaise with the state ministry of works to reactivate the abandoned federal government water project before February ending to enable the Ataba people have the benefit of the water scheme.
The governor assured the people that the Unity Road project is on course, emphasizing that the slow pace of work witnessed recently by the contracting firm handling the project would be intensified as soon as money for the next milestone is paid to them.
The state chief executive, who also visit Ikuru town, Asarama and Unyeada held interaction sessions with the people to appreciate the problems of the various communities in Andoni local government area.
In their separate speeches, the people of Unyeada and Asarama communities said the influx of vehicular traffic through the few internal roads in the area have put them in a state of despair and requested for the construction of internal as well as link roads.
The people lauded the purposeful leadership of Governor Amaechi as it is poised to transform all parts of the state, particularly for bringing peace and the enabling environment for investors to operate.
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.