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Presidential C’ttee Meets Service Chiefs On Securing Natural Resources
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake says security agencies will chart modalities for securing Nigeria’s natural resources.
Alake said the move was aimed at preventing a recurrence of the Ibadan explosion and to address insecurity in the solid minerals sector.
He disclosed this at a news conference, shortly after the meeting of the Presidential Inter-Ministerial Committee on Securing Nigeria’s Natural Resources on Thursday in Abuja.
The Tide source recalls that President Bola Tinubu set up the committee on Jan. 17 to produce a blueprint for securing Nigeria‘s natural resources which comprised of mineral sites, marine economy and forests.
The minister had announced at the end of the committee‘s maiden meeting on Jan. 19, that the committee would be expanded to include key security agencies.
The expansion is aimed at producing comprehensive strategies on security and forwarded to the President for appropriate action.
Alake explained that the security agencies included in the committee would deliberate on strategies for addressing the insecurity due to their expertise in the sector.
“We have deliberated exhaustively and it’s decided that the security agencies that constitute the experts in this particular venture should meet and give us a work plan on execution of that mandate,” he said.
He said that they would meet in a fortnight for further deliberations on the work plan.
He added that the work plan would include information of the outfits that the committee would propose, modalities for execution, funding and other details associated.
According to the minister, it is hoped that that its recommendations will avert any reoccurrence of the Ibadan explosion.
He further explained that government was still awaiting forensic result on the blast which he described as critical in determining its line of actions.
The Tide source recalls that no fewer than five persons were reported killed, 77 injured and 58 buildings damaged by the explosion.
The minister explained that the final forensic analysis report of the various security and intelligent agencies, along with input from technical experts, was crucial in unravelling the cause of the explosion.
“Fragments, document, a lot of items constituting evidence were taken and obtained from the site and some of these things have to be scientifically analysed before authentic reports are given.
“Government will not be able to give categorical statements until we have seen or received a report, studied, digest and analysed and come up with the informed decision.
“Anything before then will be assumption and we don’t work on assumption,” he said.
The Tide source reports that ministers at the meeting include: Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal; Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleima-ibrahim.
Others are: the Minister for Marine Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Interior, Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo and representatives of the service chiefs.
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.