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RSG Spends N90bn On Roads -Wike …Recommits To Comprehensive Education
Rivers State Government has invested over N90billion in the construction of critical road infrastructure to develop the economy of the state, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has announced.
The governor also said that the infrastructure development programme of his administration has been insulated from political considerations for the attainment of positive results.
Declaring open the West Africa Architects Fair (WAAF 2016) in Port Harcourt yesterday , Governor Wike said ,”on infrastructure, we have over 90 billion naira into construction, rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, bridges and jetties. This money has effectively delivered over 80 roads, while work is ongoing on the construction of about 35new roads, spread across the three senatorial districts of the State.
“ Most importantly, in order to derive maximum value for money spent, we have insulated our infrastructure development and delivery master plan from political considerations by ensuring that the designing, construction and supervision of all our roads are handled by reputable professionals and construction companies.”
Represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government , Governor Wike noted that his administration overcame initial challenges of empty treasury , unpaid salaries , insecurity caused by closed courts and a weak economy .
He said, “when we assumed office we met a State that was at the lowest rung in all indices of development. Beside an empty treasury, we inherited months of unpaid salaries to civil servants and a totally broken infrastructure. The poor security situation was exacerbated by the prolonged closure of the courts for over 12 months leading to unprecedented capital flights and disinvestments.
“However, 17 months after, we have recorded remarkable achievements in several areas of development. For instance, our first sets of priority were to clear the backlog of salaries, fix our broken roads and transport infrastructure and create jobs by reflating the economy. In all these, we have successfully delivered.
“For instance, apart from clearing the arrears of salaries, we are among the very few States with proven capacity to meet our financial obligations to civil servants, contractors and vendors. On infrastructure, we have over 90 billion naira into construction, rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, bridges and jetties”.
The governor lauded Nigerian architects for their contributions to the development of the country. He said since his days as council chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area , through to his days as Minister of State for Education to now that he is a governor, he has collaborated with architects to deliver quality projects .
In his remarks , the President of Nigeria Institute of Architects , Architect Tonye Oliver Braide said that Architects are working towards developing new cities that will help grow the economies of different countries
WAAF 2016 is a gathering of architects and allied professionals from across West African sub region.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has expressed its commitment towards the development of technical and vocational education in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, while declaring open a three day capacity building programme for teachers on ‘Basic Electricity and Domestic installation: Lab and Application organised by the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) project in collaboration with the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Vocational Education.
Ebeku said that in line with the commitment, government was on the verge of renovating technical and vocational colleges across the state.
He commended the World Bank for partnering with the State government to develop the technical and vocational education sector of the state, and urged the trainees to take the workshop seriously as it will enable them to impact positively on the society.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner For Budget and Economic Planning, Barrister Isaac Kumalu, said that the SEEFOR project, since inception, has engaged several youth through its small and public works sub-component while grants have also been given to various communities for implementation of their Community-Driven Development (CDD) initiative.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Felix Odungweru, said that School Improvement Plans (SIP) have been implemented in seven Technical, Vocational and Agricultural schools.
According to him, the three- day workshop concludes, the activities in the 2015 School Improvement Plans, and urged the participants to take the training seriously to enhance their capacity.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Technical and Vocational Education, Prof. Israel Owate, had said that, the new vision programme of the state government was anchored on technical and vocational education.
Owate also charged the participants to see the programme as an opportunity to improve themselves.
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.