News
FG Ups Amnesty Programme Budget By N35bn
In sustenance of the new understanding between the Federal Government and the oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has released additional N35billion to step-up the Amnesty Programme in the region.
Although the Federal Government had approved N20billion allocation for the Amnesty Programme in the 2016 budget, Buhari has now raised the funds, and as appropriated to N55billion, with a recent release of additional N30billion.
Sources in the Presidency confirmed that there is also a planned release of another N5billion later.
Speaking on the outstanding stipend for the ex-agitators, Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen Paul Boroh (rtd), confirmed that his Office has now paid up all ex-agitators’ backlog of the allowances up to the end of 2016.
Boroh added that with the additional release, the Federal Government has shown commitment to consolidate on the peace already achieved following the vice president’s recent visit to the oil-producing states and tailored engagements with critical stakeholders in the region.
It would be recalled that the release of the additional funds is coming after high-level presidential interactive engagements in the Niger Delta, where the Buhari administration enunciated a new vision for the oil-producing areas based on the presentation made by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), to the president when he received leaders and stakeholders from the region last November.
Following that parley, the president had directed Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to embark on a tour of the region, which saw him visiting virtually all oil-producing states in the Niger Delta region.
The Tide investigations show that besides the monthly payment of about N65, 000 to N66,000 to the ex-agitators, the funds would also go to the provision of reintegration activities under the Amnesty Programme, including payment of tuition fees for beneficiaries from Niger Delta, who are in post-secondary institutions at home and abroad, payment of in-training and hazard allowances, and vocational training costs.
Other areas include funding for empowerment schemes and self-help, self-employment support programmes, including provision of needed equipment by the Amnesty Office.
It will further support the training of pilots, aviation engineers, technicians, and motor vehicles mechanics from the oil-producing communities.
The Tide reports that the Federal Government had, reassured the Niger Delta communities of its unalloyed commitment to a faithful implementation of its promises made during the Federal Government interactive engagement visits by the vice president to different oil-producing communities.
Other promises made during the visits are currently at different stages of effective implementation, including the effective opening of the Maritime University, in Delta State, integration of illegal refiners under the concept of new modular refineries, resumption of all abandoned construction projects in the region, the Ogoni clean-up, and several others.
The Tide learnt that the Maritime University is now on course to be opened before the end of the year as the Presidency has already set the process in motion.
Already, the inter-ministerial group consisting of all relevant ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs of the Federal Government, with the involvement of relevant state governments led by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has intensified regular meetings to drive the different initiatives and ensure effective and ongoing implementation.
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.
