News
COVID-19: ASUU Presents Sensitisation Materials To A’Ibom Govt
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Uyo chapter, has presented sensitisation materials to the Akwa Ibom State Government to enlighten the residents on COVID-19.
The ASUU Chairperson, Dr Happiness Uduk, presented the materials to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, yesterday in Uyo.
Uduk said that the gesture was in response to the directive from the National President of ASUU that the union should contribute its quota towards containing the spread of the virus.
She said that the materials had been translated into Ibibio, Annang, Oro, Ekid and other dialects for people to understand the directives on the lockdown.
The chairperson said that apart from the printed materials, ASUU also presented 300 liters of hand sanitisers and more than 100 pieces of face masks.
She noted that ASUU, as a responsible organization, was doing that even though its members had not got their salaries for months now.
“Although the Federal Government has not paid us for some months now, we still have to show concern about the plight of our citizens; that was why we decided to bring in these items.
“Our national body has asked branches all over the federation to try to assist the government of the states where our universities are situated in one way or the other in these tough times.
“ASUU is a very sensitive organisation; we have to identify with the plights of the masses. So, in spite of all we are passing through, we thought we should support the efforts of government in fighting the pandemic.
“What we did was try to translate the materials into our local dialects and pidgin English so that people at the grassroots can really understand what is happening world over as it affects us in Nigeria and by extension, Akwa Ibom State,” Uduk said.
In his remarks, Dr Aniekan Brown, Chairperson, Calabar zone of ASUU, comprising seven universities, lauded the Akwa Ibom State government for the steps it had taken to control the spread of the virus in the state.
Brown noted that the outbreak of the pandemic had exposed the poor health facilities in the country, as attested to by the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) recently.
Responding, Ukpong commended ASUU for supporting the state government.
The commissioner said that the state government had yet to receive support from the Federal Government in tackling the pandemic.
Ukpong said that the government had put necessary facilities in place to curb the spread of the virus in the state.
The commissioner said that the five cases that tested positive in the state were responding to treatment and awaiting reconfirmation tests.
According to him, they are held in the state isolation facility under the close watch of medical professionals.
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.