News
Motorists Lament State Of East-west Road
The flood ravaging the entire Niger Delta region has cut-off
the East/West Road, at Umeh junction, near Patani in Delta State.
Vehicles coming from Lagos and other parts of the country
into the region have been diverted to Asaba through Onitsha.
This situation has increased transport fares by over hundred
percent.
The Tide gathered that since Friday, some travelers have
been stranded and their vehicles submerged. Rising to the challenge, the
Bayelsa State Government has established three centres to resettle those who
were affected by the flood.
All the residents of Biseni, Okordia Zarama communities
which were submerged a week ago, have been evacuated to the Sports Complex in
Yenagoa, while those from Odi and Sagbama are moved to Kaiama.
Governor Seriake Dickson, who announced this during his
transparency briefing on Friday, said that in addition to this, a committee
headed by the deputy governor has been set up to work out modalities to cushion
the effects of the disaster.
The committee has commissioners for health, agriculture,
environment, education and the chairmen of the eight local government councils
of the state as members.
Dickson however, appealed to Federal Government to come to
the aid of the state, so that the sufferings of the people could be minimised.
Meanwhile, more communities in Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema
Local Government Areas have fallen victims to the surging flood which so far
has no solution.
The oil towns of Obagi, Ogbogu, Oboburu, Akabuka have all
been submerged, while communities such as Itu-Ogba, Obiosimini, Akabta which
are situated along Sombeirero river are becoming apprehensive as the volume of
water in the river has also increased.
Consequently, transport business, especially from Port
Harcourt to Lagos is slowly grinding to a halt following the flooding which has
cut off parts of the Eas/West Road.
The Tide also learnt that, this situation has made going to
Lagos from Port Harcourt as well as coming to Port Harcourt difficult as
motorists now divert to the longer Owerri-Onitsha-Asaba-Benin Road.
A driver with Agofure Motors, Mr Solomon Uchabriye told The
Tide in Port Harcourt that a journey from Lagos to Port Harcourt now takes two
days.
Mr Uchabriye said that the situation is affecting their
business as most passengers now preffer air travels.
“It is very difficult coming and going to Lagos now. We left
Lagos 5.30am yesterday, but got to Port Harcourt this afternoon,” he said.
John Bibor
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.
