News
Jonathan Cautions On Scholarship Awards
President Goodluck Jonathan has urged government
functionaries and other influential personalities not to interfere with the
process of selecting future beneficiaries of the Bayelsa Restoration
Scholarship Scheme.
Speaking at an interactive forum with 100 graduands who
benefited from the scheme and their parents at the Banquet Hall in Government
House, Yenagoa, President Jonathan noted that non-interference in the selection
process would help to ensure that only deserving students irrespective of their
backgrounds get enlisted in the programme.
According to the President, the scheme which he started in
2006 as the then Governor of Bayelsa State, was designed to send brilliant but
less privileged students to some of the prestigious schools with a view to
providing them with the best secondary education available in the country.
President Jonathan further stated that the programme was
also intended to develop the human capacity base of Bayelsa students in order
to make them more competitive and dynamic in their search for top quality jobs
in the oil and gas industry as well as other sectors of the economy.
Dr. Jonathan who said he visited some of the schools where
the students were placed shortly before his elevation as Vice-President,
advised Governor Dickson to shop for the best schools to enable beneficiaries
of the scheme compete favourably with their peers.
The President observed that every child has the opportunity
to excel and therefore should be encouraged to harness his or her God-given
potentials.
Pointing out that the programme suffered setbacks in the
hands of the previous administration in the state, Dr. Jonathan expressed
appreciation to Governor Seriake Dickson for reviving the scheme, adding that
the state will benefit maximally from it in the future.
He also acknowledged the vision and contributions of former
Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and a business consultant, Sullivan Akachukwu,
for providing the platform for the effective take-off of the programme.
To promote research and knowledge in the country’s
universities, Dr. Jonathan said his administration will continue to encourage
lecturers to study and acquire PhD in their various fields of study.
Earlier in his remarks, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for
Education, Chief Salo Adikumo stated that the Dickson-led government is
determined to revamp the education system in the state.
Chief Adikumo said the present administration has since
keyed into the vision Dr. Jonathan had for the state, noting that another batch
of 200 students will soon be dispatched to schools in Bayelsa and Rivers
States.
The commissioner noted that the process for the placement of
those students, which includes an orientation programme had been planned adding
that the process will be inclusive as the 200 will meet with the earlier 100,
who had completed their programmes to exchange ideas and thanked president for
instituting the programme.
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.