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N’ Delta Activist Defends Wike Slams Biafra Group
Elder statesman and renowned activist in the Niger Delta region, Rev(Dr) Sokari Soberekon, has risen stoutly in defence of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and debunked recent claims by a Biafra group that the Governor does not know his tribe and origin.
Contrary to insinuations by the group, Soberekon said in Port Harcourt that Governor Wike knows his tribe and origin, as he has remained focused as a leader, who is passionate about the truth, justice and good governance, essentially to improve the wellbeing of Rivers people.
The elder statesman said the Biafra group was only envious of the rising political profile of Governor Wike who, he said is teaching some valuable lessons to other governors and leaders across the country on what it takes to be a performing Governor.
He cited as a case in point the recent flag-off for construction of the 11th and 12th flyover projects by the Wike administration, barely few months to exit office, a record, he said would be difficult to be broken by any government in the country.
While reiterating that Governor Wike, who is a true Rivers son, knows his origin, Soberekon clarified that the Governor is an Aborigene of Biafra.
“Speaking Igbo does not make anyone an Igboman just like speaking English does not make anyone an Englishman”, he said.
On why he said that Governor Wike is an Aborigene of Biafra, the Senior Advocate of Niger Delta(SAND) explained that the word, ‘Biafra’ came from the Bight of Biafra, where the Europeans signed a commercial treaty with Rivers chiefs and the people of Calabar and Ogoja in 1775 before the existence of Nigeria.
“History is so stubborn that it can not be erased. Seafarers are the Europeans who came through the sea to buy slaves while Bayfarers are the residents of the villages, towns and cities at the sea coast or at the shore of the sea who often confronted the slave traders”, he said.
According to him, “ the Igbos are people from the hinterland and so have nothing to do with Biafra. They are not Biafrans but Governor Wike is from Rivers State. So, he is a Biafran. They should stop saying that he does not know where he is from. “If they are still claiming to be Biafrans, he said, by implication that they are the ones who do not know where they come from.
According to him, they can not come from the hinterland to claim what is from the coastal area.
Soberekon said he loves the Igbos because they are hard working people but cautioned them to respect others. “Allowing them to do business in Rivers State does not give them the right to insult our hard working Governor who is known all over the country as Mr Project”, he said.
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.
