News
NUPENG, IPMAN Suspend Strike, As RSG Intervenes
The leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have suspended their planned strike in Rivers State over the seizure of trucks belonging to members of the unions by the personnel of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army.
To this end, the unions have ordered immediate lifting and sale of petroleum products in the state, following a peace meeting brokered by the Rivers State Government and a subsequent agreement reached with the military authorities of 6 Division, Bori Camp, yesterday morning.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Dr. Peter Medee, told newsmen, that the agreement was brokered in the early hours of yesterday thereby putting an end to the proposed strike by the petroleum marketers.
It would be recalled that the petroleum marketers had raised the alarm over what they described as incessant seizure of their trucks by operatives of the Nigerian Army.
Their complaint was contained in a joint statement by IPMAN Chairman in Rivers State, Obele Ngei Chu and the Chairman of the Licensed Petrol Station Owners (LIPSO) in Rivers State, Sunny Nkpe.
Both Chu and Nkpe had accused the Army of arresting their men and impounding their trucks, noting that over 14 trucks loaded with petroleum products were in the custody of the Army, just as they threatened to withdraw their services from Monday (yesterday) if their trucks were not released by midnight.
But Medee said after a meeting with the various unions and a separate meeting with the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division of the Nigerian Army; the latter agreed to release the trucks.
“This morning (Monday), we have been able to reach an agreement with NUPENG, Tanker Drivers Association (TDA), IPMAN, LIPSO and all other unions that were involved in this disagreement. As I speak with you now, I am right in the midst of another meeting that we convened this morning, and the strike has been called off.
“And every station owner and every activity of their related sector have been asked to go ahead. The national leadership of NUPENG spoke with me this morning that they have been able to talk to their members and that the strike will no longer hold.
“I am here now with some key leadership of the unions in the state. I am here with the chairman of IPMAN in the state. I am also here with the zonal chairman of the tanker drivers and we have agreed in principle to suspend the strike.
“That is because last night (Sunday), after our meeting, we had another meeting with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, who has graciously agreed to release all the trucks that were in dispute to me to hand over to them, and also, all other matters that relate to their grievances have already been addressed.
“So, I can tell you now that we are happy and Rivers people need to be happy because they have a governor, who is determined to ensure that everything that is done in Rivers State will go on smoothly. We have the capacity to resolve all the differences, and that is what the state government has done this morning,” the commissioner stated.
Asked if this will put an end to the continued harassment of the unions by the men in uniform, Medee said, “You know before now, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources was not manned. The Task Force on Petroleum Products has been dissolved by the governor. So, we are trying to do everything to ensure that everybody is on the same page.
“So, the lapses and the gaps that were created was a situation where the critical sector under this ministry was not properly coordinated. So, within the period, a lot issues and challenges cropped up. And that is what we have been trying to solve one after the other for the past four weeks.
“So, I can assure you that the issue that has to do with the Task Force of Rivers State, we are talking with the other organs of the state government and all other differences have completely been resolved today.
“But as I speak with you, the problem they have with the security agencies, last night, we had a late meeting with the GOC, 6 Division, the director of State Security Service (SSS) and all the team leaders of the security agencies. We were able to come to an understanding.
Dennis Naku
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.