News
Afam Power Rehabilitation: TCN Fails To Meet Deadline
Contrary to the announcement by authorities of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) that the rehabilitation work on the 132kv line Afam power plant would last for one month, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the firm handling the repair work could not deliver the work on schedule.
The rehabilitation work which commenced 1st August and expected to end 31st August was still on-going as at last Tuesday when The Tide visited the project site.
Principal Manager, Public Affairs of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), Mr. Obidili Onuwah while answering questions from The Tide confirmed the development and said that the rehabilitation work on the double circuit lines was still ongoing.
According to Mr. Onuwah the company handling the work has covered an appreciable distance but the rehabilitation work has not been concluded yet.”
The PHEDC spokesman who however attributed the delay to some logistics problem encountered at the onset commended the company for achieving what he described as appreciable progress.
A senior official of Afam Power Station also hinted that the repair job was inconclusive but that serious work was still going on.
The official who pleaded anonymity further said that it was interesting that the company in-charge of the project was doing a quality job and assured that there was every indication that the company would conclude work in no distant time.
“You know, it is a technical job and so much challenges that might affect initial calculations including the time of completion comes in as the work is in progress”, the official stated.
He further remarked that much as the time for completion is important, what is more important is the quality of work.
It would be recalled that Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) commenced the rehabilitation work on 1st August and authorities of PHCN had assured consumers that the job would be completed by 31st August.
PHCN had pleaded with power consumers in Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers 132kv line to bear with the company as major outages would be expected during the repair period.
Power consumers were advised by PHCN to seek alternative supplies sources within the period of anticipated outage.
Luckily however, PHCN worked out an agreement with the Rivers State Government on the possibility of supplying electricity to Port Harcourt from Trans Amadi and Omoku Gas turbins owned by the state so as to augment the short fall from the national grid during the period. This agreement which mitigated the situation was hailed by the people and residents of the state.
Chris Oluoh
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.