News
Stop Crude Oil Theft …RSG Challenges, Army, Para-Military
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has called
on officers and men of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, including
paramilitary agencies serving in the state on the need to curb the swelling oil
theft in the region.
Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Mr
George Feyii when officers of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army with other
para military personnel paid a courtesy visit to him on Wednesday in Port
Harcourt, Amaechi called for stiffer measures to curb the menace.
The Governor stressed the need for the military to
compliment efforts made by the Federal Government in tackling pipeline
vandalism and other forms of oil theft, as a way of giving credibility to the
expectation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
According to him, ‘’President Jonathan is against oil theft,
you must compliment the efforts of the federal government to tackle pipeline
vandalism and other forms of oil theft, to meet the expectation of President
Jonathan ‘’.
He charged them to improve on their constitutional
responsibility of protecting lives and property, as well as the territorial
integrity of the country.
The Governor described the division’s study tour in Rivers
State as commendable, and urged them to use the tour as opportunity to observe
the developmental efforts of the current administration, especially in health,
education, roads and other infrastructure.
Amaechi lauded the efforts of 2 Army Brigade in Port
Harcourt for their collaboration with the State Government to guarantee
peaceful atmosphere that has made economic activities to thrive in the state.
Earlier, leader of the visiting team Col. Gold Chibusi had
stated that they were in the state on a study tour organised by the 2 Brigade.
The army officer disclosed that the tour was packaged by the
State Ministry of Culture and Tourism to enable officers and men of the
division get first hand information about the state, stating that the theme of
the study is, ‘’Oil Theft as Contemporary Economic and Security Challenge, the
Role of Stakeholders.’’
He assured that the division will live up to its billings,
as he extended the regards of Commander 2 Brigade Brig-Gen Tukur Buruatai to
the state government, while admitting that knowledge gathered so far will be
channelled appropriately.
Meanwhile, the state Government has condoled with lawmaker
representing Ogu/Bolo constituency in Rivers State House of Assembly Hon Evans
Bipi on the death of his mother, Madam Rose Bapakaye Evans.
Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau in the Office
of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr Sovens Okari gave the
indication when he paid a condolence visit to the lawmaker yesterday in Port
Harcourt.
Mr Sovens assured the lawmaker that government will support
and celebrate the death of his mother and described Late Madam Evans as
motherly, kind and committed community developer.
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.