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RSG Begins Campaign Against Bottled, Sachet Water Exposure To Sunlight …Urges Regular Hand Washing To Promote Hygiene
The Rivers State Government has launched the campaign against exposure of bottle and sachet water to sunlight.
The campaign was launched at the just-concluded 2021 Global Hand Washing Day celebration in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Dr. Tamunosiai Gogo-Jaja said at the celebration that government was determined to check further consumption of contaminated water in the state.
Gogo-Jaja said that regular hand washing has become very important to prevent diseases.
He said the advent of Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the need for regular hand washing with soap.
According to him, the theme for the celebration: “Our Future Is At Hand, Let’s Move Forward Together”, was to emphasise the importance of hand washing in the promotion of good health, sanitation and hygiene in the society.
“If you are an African, our people will say that hand washing is our tradition before we eat.
“We washed our hands after we ate. But our attitude when we want to eat is bad.
“There is a difference between washing our hands and wetting our hands”, he said.
The commissioner charged all stakeholders to carry the same massage to every nook and crannies of the state.
The Rivers State Government also urged residents to imbibe the culture of regular hand washing in order to prevent deadly infections in the state.
Gogo-Jaja, said the state government was commitment to eradicating any infection and provides quality health care service to the people of the state.
He emphasised that the government has collaborated with international donor agencies to provide automated hand washing facilities strategically positioned at public places across the state, and advised residents to take advantage of the said facilities to wash their hands at each point in time.
In his remarks, representative of the Commissioner for Information and Communications, and Director in the ministry, Mr Celestine Ogolo, said regular hand washing promotes good health in the society.
Ogolo stressed the need for the public to imbibe the culture of hand washing to enable them remain healthier.
He commended the Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development for the campaign to improve sanitation and hygiene in the state.
Also speaking, the state Chairman, Water Producers Association of Nigeria, Mr Egberi Odiri Mackson, said the campaign against exposure of water to sunlight was timely, adding that his association has been in the forefront for the push against the menace.
It would be recalled that the global hand washing day is celebrated every October 15 to raise global consciousness of hand washing practice.
By: John Bibor & Oribim Nyanaa
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.