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Why We Emberk On Projects In North -Jack-Rich Tein Jr
In its continued drive to bring succor to the people of Host Communities, Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large, leading indigenous oil producing Company, Belemaoil Producing Ltd., operators of the NNPC/Belemaoil JV, has commissioned Water and Road Projects in Northern Nigeria.
The projects were executed in Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and Sokoto States, under the NNPC/BelemaoilJoint Venture.
Speaking at the commissioning of the projects, President/Founder of Belemaoil Producing Ltd., Mr. Jack-Rich Tein Jr., said the projects are part of the ways of promoting oneness and unity in Nigeria and to better the lots of the people and give them a better lease of life.
Tein Jr. said as someone who comes from a community that lacked potable water for hundreds of years, he understood the plights of the people of the communities who had to travel miles to get drinkable water.
He said, despite political differences and affiliations, Nigeria hasremained one country and Nigerians must build bridges that promote love and oneness.
He said: “This gathering here today is as a result of our desire to share fellowship, to share oneness, a one united country called Nigeria. Nigeria is one indivisible country that is centred on love irrespective of the political insinuations, affiliations and we must as a matter of fact build bridges that unite us. Political parties are platforms we use in showcasing our interests but when we get back to these political parties, Nigerians get back to us.
“We are here to demonstrate oneness; we are here to demonstrate love. You here in the north and myself from the Niger Delta, are one. Every country, the U.S., UK, Europe, they all have their challenges but when you have a challenge what you do with that challenge draws you to solution. So, the challenges we are going through as Nigerians is to bring us together and design new ways of making Nigeria a better country.
“When my friend, Umar Kumo (PA on Special Duties to SGF) mentioned this project to me, I said what your community is facing; my community is also going through. My community has been there for six, seven hundred years with so much wealth in terms of natural resources and all that but lacked potable drinking water. We drink from contaminated stagnant stream and well water that has been contaminated.
“He said to me, my community travels about 10-12 kilometres in search of water and I promised them that because NNPC love community development, I will initiate the project and see how we can embark on them. We are happy that this project has come to a successful end and we are commissioning themt today.”
The President/Founder of Belemaoil, thanked the NNPC and President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the project and for granting the company the operatorship license of the OML-55, which has given the company opportunity to better the lots of many across the country. He, however, charged the people to guard the projects jealously and maintain them for the continued good of the people.
In his speech, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, represented by Mrs. TolulopeDerin-Adefuwa, called on the people to make good use of the projects. He said NNPC embarks on community development projects through its partnerships for grassroots development.
He said: “We are partnering with Belemaoil JV to bring this project to us. It is our firm and strong belief on our part to support the communities nationwide and we do this through joint partnerships, we do this with our products sharing contract companies to deliver community development projects to the whole of Nigeria. We do economic empowerment programmes which we deploy relief materials to the IDP Camps, we do Education programmes, we do scholarships and so many other projects which we believe will touch the lives of the citizens of Nigeria.”
High points of the ceremony were the Turbaning of the President/Founder of Belemaoil Producing Ltd as SarkinRuwan Hausa by the Emir of Daura, HRH Alh. (Dr) Umar Farouq Umar, in Katsina State and SarkinRuwan Akko, by the Emir of Akko, Gombe State, HRH.Alh.Umaru Muhammadu Atiku (Lamidon Akko), respectively.
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.
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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.