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Join Politics To Improve Lives, Not For Personal Gains-Wike
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says the essence of joining a political party should be to improve the well-being of the people and not for pecuniary benefits.
The governor has maintained that there is still no alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has been working conscientiously to improve the quality of life of Rivers’ people.
He stated this at the grand reception in the honour of former director general of Tonye Cole campaign organisation, Dr Chidi Lloyd, on his return back to the PDP at Elele-Alimini in Emohua Local Government Area.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Emeka Woke, Wike, said he was excited that Lloyd, whom he described as a man of character and principle, has decided to return to the PDP.
“Some of you who are here may not know when all of us agreed that we are standing for Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Chidi was standing alone, he was the lone voice crying in the House of Assembly.
“Some of you may have forgotten in a hurry the screening of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission then, nominated by Sir Celestine Omehia, led by one Dr Ogboda, he stood by Rivers people. He stood for the law and he defended the law passed by Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Wike explained that the whole essence of joining political party or supporting a political party should not be for personal or pecuniary benefit, but to improve the wellbeing of the people.
The governor said when Lloyd initially joined the APC, he had erroneously assumed it was the right thing to do at the time, until he realised the futility of joining a party that does not care about the wellbeing of his people.
“He has turned back and we have to receive him because we know he is a man of character, we know he is a man of integrity”, he said.
Wike noted that since 2015, both the PDP and the APC have campaigned in Elele, but only the PDP has fulfilled its electioneering promises to fix all internal roads and develop human capital in Elele community.
The state PDP Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor used the occasion to assure the people that Wike would resist any attempt to cede any part of the state to the South-East geopolitical zone in order to advance the presidential ambition of any individual.
“We didn’t know that when they said they were going to run for presidency, under the South-East, under the Igbo extraction, we didn’t know they have managed to cave some areas (of Rivers) into Igbo land. Unfortunately, Ubima didn’t work for them. I don’t know what they will do. I am sure they will come with another map to include Ubima to actualise what they are planning.
“But for Rivers State and the governor of Rivers State, he has said no inch of Rivers State will be ceded to another place. Whatever they have done, our brother Nyesom Wike will fight to the last to ensure that judicial processes are followed, to ensure Rivers lands are recovered. Their tactics will not work. They cannot enslave our people just because of their singular ambition.”
Akawor noted that before Lloyd joined APC, he had as a PDP member attracted quality projects to his people.
He said all that had ceased when Lloyd embarked on a futile hunting expedition in the APC.
But, with his return to the PDP, his people have once again begun to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
On his part, Lloyd explained his decision to return to his kith and kin in the PDP was because of Wike’s unparalleled developmental strides.
He stated that before the 2015 and 2019 general elections, the APC knew that Wike, whose capacity was not in doubt, would defeat them.
According to him, all the negative campaign against Wike were mere political machinations.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Sergeant Awuse, said Lloyd, who represented Emohua constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly between 2003 and 2015, remains an asset to the PDP.
He urged the Ishimbam political bloc in Emohua constituency to remain steadfast ensure they maintain their political relevance as a political bloc.
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.