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RVHA Passes Land Use Prohibition Extortion Bill
The Rivers State House of Assembly, yesterday, passed into law, the state land use prohibition extortion bill 2010 with the lawmakers unanimously abolishing bush entry and marching ground levies charged by land owners in the state.
Other levies abolished are the youth development levies, burial levies, community Development Committee levies, consultation levies as well as fencing levies.
The passage of the bill followed a unanimous adoption of the House committee report on land, Housing and Urban Development.
The chairman, House Committee on Land, Housing and Urban Development, Hon Lucky Odili told the lawmakers that the various stakeholders who participated in the public hearing lauded the good intention of the bill.
Hon Odili hinted that the participants had urged the legislators not to abolish the bush entry as it is part of the custom of the people.
The lawmaker also revealed that the participants were worried that the proposed abolishment of the marching ground by the drafters of the bill would amount to total destruction of their tradition.
However, during the debate on the committee’s report, some lawmakers okayed the abolishment of marching ground and bush entry levies in the state.
Contributing, Hon Henry Ogiri (Abua/Odua), Golden Ngozi Chioma (ELGAII), Ibani Ikunyili Owaji (Andoni), Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja ( Opobo/Nkoro) and Hon Isaac Kamalu (Eleme) observed that the bill intends to correct “mischievous acts” going on in the state.
The lawmakers stated that the bill would address the issue of multiple taxation charged in the course of developing land, as well as doing business in the state.
The state legislators noted that the multiple taxations charged on land development by land owners and communities have hindered development in the state, adding that with the passage of the bill into law the state is now safe for investors to do business.
The lawmakers disagreed with the sentiments expressed by some of their colleagues that the bill would exterminate the various culture and tradition of the people of the state, saying that the bill would enhance development in the state.
In his own contribution, Hon Ogbonda Jones urged the House not to abolish bush entry in the state.
Hon Ogbonda averred that bush entry has been an age-long tradition and customary practice among the people of the state in the course of land business transactions, adding that such practice varies from one community to another.
The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Tonye Harry who presided over the sitting put the House into vote, where 19 lawmakers voted for the abolishment of marching ground, bush entry and other levies charged in course of development of land in the state, while one lawmaker voted against.
The Speaker while ruling on the matter, said that with the majority votes in favour of the abolishment, the bill is to be passed into law.
Hon Harry warned that anybody who pays money as marching ground while buying or developing land in the state would be punished as violator of the law, just as anybody who demand for such levies from a prospective land buyers or land developers.
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.