News
Why Kalabari’s May Not Produce Next Gov -David-West … Flays Upland/Riverine Dichotomy
Social critic and renowned Virologist, Prof Tam David-West has expressed doubt over the possibility of having a governor of Kalabari extraction as a successor to Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Prof David West, who was a guest Speaker at the first Rivers leadership Network Summit held at the auditorium of the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex, yesterday said the dream of having a Kalabari Governor in 2015 was illusive.
Prof David West explained that such dream was not realizable at the moment because of high level of disunity and division among the Kalabari people.
The division in Kalabari is worse than the division in Rivers State, the Kalabari people do not love themselves, we are our own worst enemies”, he stated.
He however, challenged the people of Kalabari to put their house in order and achieve unity of purpose before they begin to think of actualizing the dream of producing the governor of the state.
The one-time petroleum minister noted, however, that he was not an enemy of the Kalabari people.
As a Kalabari man himself, he said he was concerned about the division among the people, and stated that criticism should be taken as complementary to socio-economic development and should not be viewed with negative interpretation.
Prof David West also frowned at the political philosophy of having emotional sympathy for an non-performing leader based on ethnic or religious consideration.
He said his criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan was because of the lack of internal democracy in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which had hampered national growth and development.
He commended the Pan Rivers leadership Network for holding the first summit as a platform for promoting harmonious relationship among peoples of the state, and emphasized that ‘Rivers State cannot make any meaningful national impact, except it is united”.
Speaking the topic the , “Quest for Unity in Rivers State, a Contemporary Perspective”, Prof David-West, said Rivers State has gone through a chequered political history, saying that he has been an avid critic of all the governors in the state.
But he took exception to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who he described as an ‘exceptional performer”.
He said the numerous projects embarked upon by Governor Amaechi, were eloquent testimonies of his good work, and likened him to Governor Fashola Babatunde of Lagos State.
He, however, emphasized the need for a good succession plan in Rivers State to ensure that the goodwork embarked upon by Amaechi was not swept under the carpet.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Petroleum and Commissioner for Education in old Rivers State, Prof. Tam David-West says it is high time upland and riverine was jettisoned for a more unified political front and common purpose.
Prof. David-West, who condemned the political division amongst people from the riverine and upland areas of the state at 1st Pan-Rivers Leadership Summit organised by the Pan African Leadership Network in Port Harcourt yesterday said it was a mere creation of politicians to divide and rule the state.
Said David-West ,’’ so upland Rivers dichotomy is nonsense. There is scarcely any riverine that you cannot trace an upland blood ‘’.
He advocated the need for unity of purpose, maintaining that this was one way to make impact at the federal level.
The professor of virology, said he had been an advocate of good governance and would always remain opposed to any government that wastes the resources of the people.
For him, leadership must be able to chart new course, guide and educate the people, while emphasizing that leadership must also be by example.
Calling on the need for total reflection by the people on the future, he remarked that,’’ if you don’t know the past, the present is not assured. If you don’t know the present, the future is in jeopardy’’.
Condemning sycophancy, the elderstatesman stressed that good governance must be hinged on frugal spending of public funds and transparency, observing that so far Governor Amaechi has demonstrated accountability,’’
Amaechi is the first governor who after getting money called everybody and said this is the amount of money I have. So, why would I not love a governor that is transparent and has engaged contractors from Rivers State? ‘’
He, therefore, summoned the people of the state to come together to build a united and peaceful state, as he prayed for a better leader to take over from the governor in 2015.
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.