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PDP NASS Caucus Endorses Wike For 2019
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus of the National Assembly has endorsed Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for a second term in 2019.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, declared that the endorsement was fallout of Wike’s excellent performance, which has transformed Rivers State.
He spoke, last Wednesday, when he commissioned Ulakwo II-Afara-Nihi Road in Etche Local Government Area of the state constructed by the Wike administration.
He said,“if you take the statistics and look at what Wike has done in two years, I can safely say that he has done more than all APC governors put together”.
The deputy Senate president said that Wike has changed the story of Rivers State from a state where insecurity was rife eight years ago, to the centre of development projects in the country.
Ekweremadu said: “A lot more will still happen over the next six years of Wike’s leadership. Wike is creating economic corridors which will enhance economic development. More of Wike will transform Nigeria”.
He expressed satisfaction with the state-wide execution of projects by Wike, saying that the sustained commissioning of projects across Rivers State in the last three weeks indicate that the governor was a true example of good governance.
In his remarks, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, stated that only the PDP can salvage Nigeria, because leaders of the party have the right vision for the development of the country.
He said while the APC prefers giving excuses for non-performance, the PDP has remained committed to the delivery of quality projects.
The governor berated the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for trying to play politics with the development of the state.
He warned the Managing Director of NDDC, Nsima Ekere, against taking further steps to undermine development of Rivers State as the people will resist him.
He assured Etche people that he will continue to execute people-oriented projects to cater for their developmental needs, adding that in the next five weeks, his administration will commission two other roads in Etche and flag-off another.
Also speaking, member representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Chief Jerome Eke, described the roads constructed by Wike in Etche as life-saving.
Eke said the economic and political relevance of the roads will be felt during the next campaign.
The Rivers State Commissioner for works, Iheanyichuwu Bathuel, explained that the 8-kilometre road was constructed to link communities in the area.
Managing Director of Lubrik Construction Company, Golbert Sassine, said that the Rivers State Government has paid in full for the construction of the road.
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.
