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Eleme LG Accuses Onne NPA Mgt Of Partisanship …Issues Seven-Day Ultimatum To Clear Itself Of Culpability
The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Obarilomate Ollor has expressed displeasure over the recent empowerment programme allegedly carried out by the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi in the LGA.
Describing the move as a deliberate effort to undermine the LGA authority and instigate crisis, Ollor gave NPA Headquarters seven days ultimatum to clear her name from the allegation of partisan empowerment or face legal action.
According to Ollor: “A faction of the All Progressives Congress loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi fragrantly displayed items they purported to have been given them by NPA, and that created a lot of reaction from the people. As I speak to you now, our people are coming out with several positions that can lead to crisis in the local government.
“The reason is that NPA is not a registered political party to participate or play politics with any group of persons in our community. So, we came here to clarify the fact and know if NPA, Onne Port, is aware of the CSR that was displayed by a group of persons in Onne that NPA gave them to support them.
“I have never heard before where a corporate institution like NPA will support a particular group in a political party. Those items were shared within themselves, all leaders of that particular group in their party were there, and they claim that it was given to them by NPA.
“So, we suspect that this may have been done to undermine the leadership of the LGA and the leadership of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
“That is why we decided to pay a visit to the port to find out why that happened and who authorised that to happen in our LGA. We want NPA to explain to us why you should participate in politics in our place.
“We feel this is completely reprehensible, and we will not accept it as a people. We will go all length to ensure that this act does not repeat itself. We are trying to build a society that is not divisive, that is peaceful without rancour but this act alone is capable of throwing our place into confusion.
“We are accusing NPA that they are the ones that want to create problems for our people. It is only when you explain that these persons were using their name that we can say they are exonerated. Is it because the minister is the leader of the group which displayed this CSR? If actually the minister meant well for those people that say they are supporting him from our area, he would have done better than that, not sewing machines in 2021 as empowerment.
“What we require from the NPA, if the minister meant well for Eleme people, is to make Onne Port busy, bring employment to our people in NIMASA and other agencies of the authority. There should be reasonable development from the authority to our place but instead, no project, no employment, and you come up with sewing machines.
“It’s a big shame and disgrace to whoever brought or received it. We want NPA to clear their name and explain to us why they should be involved in not just politics but local politics of a faction of APC loyal to the minister of transportation.
“If they do not within now and the next seven days, we will have no option than to take a very serious legal position on this issue”, Ollor added.
He used the medium to disclose plans by his administration to ensure the people of Eleme benefit tangibly from the companies operating within the area, calling on NPA, which is the ports regulating body, to stand with the LG to ensure compliance.
He said plans to organise a summit that would bring all companies together to chart a way forward was on.
Ollor said: “There is a high level of unemployment. I don’t know why the companies hurriedly go out to employ people when there are capable hands in Eleme. Even if some of our youths do not have the requisite skills for the job, why not train them in a specific skill that is relevant and can be of use, if not in that company, somewhere else.
“Now, this is where you will have to come in to help us, which is why we are here. Engage these companies to employ our youths, force it on them to train our youths on skills, if they can’t employ them, this will help in reducing crime.
“This meeting is an opportunity to let you know that we have a great problem that needs to be fixed, if not, it will affect us in the near future”, he said.
Responding, the Port Manager, Stanley Magaji Yitnoe denied knowledge of any empowerment programme by NPA in Onne.
He said they were not aware as they also witnessed it in the media.
Yitnoe said: “We also saw it in the media, and we don’t want to believe that it happened”.
He added that investigation was still on to get to the root of the matter, and possibly sanction those found culpable.
By: Chinedu Nwosu
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.
