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FG Vows To Prioritise Healthcare In N’Delta
The Federal Government has assured the people of the Niger Delta region of its resolve to give priority to healthcare delivery in the area.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura, he gave the assurance during a visit to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, on the sideline of medical outreach to the state, said the government was determined to address pressing health issues of the rural communities.
Alasoadura told Uzodinma, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku that, “The purpose of the visit was to provide Medical Outreach and Enlightenment Campaign for Women/Youths on HIV/AIDS for the people of Mmabu, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
“The minister at the medical outreach said the “Enlightenment programme organised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in collaboration with the health care mission was specifically designed to address pressing health issues of the rural communities.”
He informed the people that “President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is concerned about the welfare of the people of the Niger Delta and will like to restate the Federal Government’s desire to ensure that the people of this region enjoy basic healthcare as has made healthcare a priority in its developmental plans for the Niger Delta region.”
In his welcome address earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olusade Adesola represented by the Director, Community Development and Education, Mrs Lauren Briade, said this health intervention plan is in line with the Federal Government Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
She said the plan was also, “In line with the World Health organization (WHO), recommendations for member Nations to Commemorate Worlds AIDS Day on the 1st of December, World Malaria Day on the 25th of April and World Cancer Day on the 4th of February, annually.”
According to the permanent secretary, “These days are marked to create awareness about the diseases and provide professional advice and information on prevention and treatable measures to the people.”
Adesola noted that the “Ministry’s medical outreach programme is designed with dimensional objectives to bring healthcare services to the door steps of the people of the Niger Delta region and also provide free consultations, drugs/medications and referrals where necessary.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku expressed his gratitude to Mr. President for his great concern for the happenings and to the people of the Niger Delta region, and thanked the ministry for organising an enlightenment programme for the people Mmahu, Ohaji/ Egebma local Government area.
Njoku, pleaded with the ministry to provide social amenities to the oil producing communities as he is concerned about the plight of the Niger Delta people, especially on poor Infrastructure in the region.
In his remarks, the Ezioma 1 of Mmahu autonomous community, Eze A.I .Iwuogu, pleaded with the ministry to “Help resurrect the gas turbine that was brought to the community in 2006 and has since been abandoned and also high rate of unemployment in the community.”
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.