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Diri Wants Legislation To Cater For Legionnaires’ Families
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called for proper legislation that will cater for the families of legionnaires and fallen heroes who paid the supreme price for the indivisibility of Nigeria.
Represented by the state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Governor Diri made the call at the weekend during the 2022 State Emblem Appeal Fund Launch of the state Legion, in Government House Yenagoa.
He maintained that only laws passed through the National and state Houses of Assembly could promote and protect the welfare of families of surviving and departed heroes in the country, urging government at all levels, especially the federal government to take the initiative that will increase and expand the social security portfolio, including provisions that will offer scholarships to the children of fallen heroes.
Senator Diri, who decried a situation where most individuals and institutions made pledges during the emblem appeal launch without redeeming them, argued that the annual fund raising event alone is not enough to take care of the war veterans and their families.
While expressing dissatisfaction at the manner in which the labour of the nation’s past heroes and legionnaires are not being adequately recognised, Senator Diri said it was high time those at the helm of affairs practised what they sing in the national anthem.
“I really want to suggest that the National and State Houses of Assembly should look at the possibility of making laws that would expand the coast of the present provisions for fallen heroes.
“So let me use this opportunity to encourage government at all levels, especially the federal government to take the initiative to increase and expand our social security portfolio to include provisions that would take care of the needs of fallen heroes
“I am personally pained whenever we talk about fallen heroes in our country because it is not unconnected to the usual style of our labour not being recognized. We sing it in our national anthem but the significance of what it says will only make meaning if we walk the talk.
“So, it will be empty verses and empty vows if we continue to sing our national anthem and pledge that we cannot forget the labour of our heroes past, but yet what we do is to neglect, ignore and disparage their plight and programmes”, the Governor said.
Senator Diri while responding to some of the demands made by the State Legionnaires, endorsed the suggestion that the emblem launch in the state should hold before the end of every year, just as he promised looking into the request of including legionnaires in the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day organising committee.
He urged the leadership of local government councils in the state to equally mark the Day in their respective areas every January 15.
Speaking earlier, the State Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Mr. Ogele Okubokeme, recalled that the Armed Forces’ remembrance day was set aside to honour all the veterans both living and dead who had paid the supreme price to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria.
Mr. Ogele Okubokeme noted that the objective of the emblem launch was to give patriotic citizens the opportunity to make freewill donations that would go a long way to alleviating the challenges faced by families of legionnaires and the departed heroes.
He appealed to the State Government to make the Emblem Appeal Fund Launch at least two months to the main event in order to give enough room for people to support the programme
Highpoints of the event were financial donations made by Governor Diri, his deputy, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abraham Ingobere, the Chairman, State Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete-Spiff among others and their decoration with the Armed Forces Rememberance Emblem.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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.