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RSG Denies Amnesty Report
The Rivers State Government has refuted reports disseminated by Amnesty International that security operatives in Port Harcourt shot at some residents of Bundu waterfront in Port Harcourt, killing one person and injuring others during an enumeration exercise in 2009.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari who debunked the claims of Amnesty International in a press statement, said there was no such incident of shooting in any enumeration exercise conducted by the state government.
According to her, “the truth of the matter is that there was no shooting and killing of anybody, and I say that with a great sense of responsibility. I have said that there has been a different claim of numbers, and in our profession, facts are sacred even though opinion may vary”.
Mrs Semenitari said those claiming that shooting took place had continued to brandish figures which range from 100 persons, 80 persons, eight and two persons as casualty figure, which continued to reduce as the days go by, noting that the real fact “remains that nobody was killed and no person was shot at”.
The Commissioner observed that while the Rivers State Government welcomes independent bodies to assess development indices in the state, “Amnesty International is either not in proper possession of the facts of the matter or they are being misled by some mischievous elements, or they are just refusing to listen to what the facts are”.
“The state government insists that every Rivers resident or person has a right to live in a habitable environment, free from any form of molestation, free from crime”, the Commissioner stated.
She explained that the development of the waterfronts was part of the state government’s urban renewal programme and expressed its commitment to executing the project to enable Rivers people benefit from living in a clean environment that is safe and secure.
“I don’t know where Amnesty International got its facts, we are however happy as a government to review new facts if those new facts are right, if there is any new information that Amnesty has, we will be happy to receive them”.
The Commissioner said the state government had earlier enumerated, paid and evacuated people from the Njemanze waterside without a single person being shot at, enumerated the Abonnema Wharf waterside and currently paying the full commercial rate for their properties without any problems, and wondered why government would begin to harm people at Bundu.
She maintained that the Rivers State Government does not have any record of shooting at people during the enumeration, as all citizens are entitled to the protection of the Government of Rivers State and the present administration is committed to ensuring that lives are protected.
“We will be happy to offer Amnesty International a year rent at any of the waterfronts of their choice both office and residential accommodation, if they so wish and if they consider the area good enough to live and show example that it is a habitable environment”, she declared.
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.