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RSG Sets Blueprint For 50 Years’ Dev …Plans Corporate, Govt Summit
As part of the Golden Jubilee anniversary, the Rivers State Government has set up a committee to formulate a road map for the state in the next 50 years.
The plan was made public by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam- George, during a chat with newsmen at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
The new road map is labelled, “Rivers Future Vision” and is driven by a sub-committee in the state Golden Jubilee anniversary.
According to Tam-George, the committee has already started collating ideas and plans that will form the bedrock of the state development by the time it clocks 100 years
The commissioner added, “the Rivers Future Vision Committee is set up with the aim to exploit other potentials of the state. In the next 50 years, we are totally going to have a different Rivers State. We are having a constant debate on how we can move away from oil and gas.”
He revealed that when once the collation is concluded, the committee will study them based on each sector and will engage the private sector as well.
Tam-George further stated that by June after the celebrations, a Corporate and Government Summit will be held to put them into policy statements.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani has stated that the legislature is poised to provide laws that will drive the state tourism potentials.
He made disclosure while speaking at the sidelines of the state Golden Jubilee Boat Regatta event, last Saturday, in Port Harcourt.
Ibani said, “if our potentials are properly harnessed, I tell you, Rivers State will be the number one tourism destination. Tourism is now a revenue earner and a lot of our people travel abroad just to look at the seas and weather of other countries.”
The speaker lauded the organisers for organising the boat regatta event as it displays the culture and activities of those in the riverine by giving them a sense of belonging.
Also, Commissioner for Transport, Deacon Akie Fubara, said the Wike administration is putting infrastructure on ground to encourage tourism.
He noted that the construction of new jetties built and the acquisition of gun boats to patrol the seas will encourage tourism as people will feel safe to travel to different destinations in the state.
Fubara further stated that the ministry will soon train marine drivers on latest safety and driving skills to boost safety on our waterways.
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.
