News
‘State Police, Community Policing, Restructuring Solution To Insecurity’
An Igbo statesman and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has expressed worry over the rising insecurity in the South-East, saying that the lack of state police, community policing and the issue of referendum as major causes of the problem.
He also identified a lack of synergy among South-East governors as a factor further aggravating the security challenges in the region.
Chekwas, a former presidential candidate of the United Progressives Party (UPP) and founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said in an interview, that the security lapses in the country have become so worrisome that people have began to express doubts about the survival of the country.
He said nobody could be comfortable about the insecurity in the South-East, adding that even the governors of the region have started to express doubts.
He noted that many Nigerians including himself have repeatedly called for state police forces and community policing, a call he said, featured prominently in his presidential campaign in 2015.
Chekwas insisted that until those fundamental security issues are addressed, the security challenges would never abate.
He called for the National Assembly work with executive arm of government to facilitate and expedite action in bringing about state and community policing, which he said, had to be done urgently to arrest the situation as he advised the South-East governors to rise up to the challenges.
“The lack of synergy among the leadership of the governors in the South-East is very disturbing and it didn’t just start today. Many of us have tried in our individual ways to appeal to them to be able to work together.
“The South-East is not too vast in terms of land mass. It is easy for them to be able to work together to put the entire South-East under certain security measures and we will be able to have adequate security. We don’t need to wait for constitutional amendments. Lack of synergy is the problem,” he observed.
He regretted that when some of the governors spoke, they would say that each state had its own peculiarities, which he dismissed as an excuse for not wanting to co-operate.
“This individualism that our governors are exhibiting has been the bane of the Igbo man in all aspects, which started since the civil war ended. It is unfortunate and I’m disappointed in them. We have been like this for a very long time, since the war ended,” he declared.
He quoted the first president of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, as saying that the worst thing that can happen to any people after the loss of a war is loss of self-esteem.
Chekwas claimed that it was the loss of the civil war that has affected the self-esteem of the Igbo.
He noted that the solutions are being sought, pointing to restructuring and state policing as two possible ways forward to restore ethnic self-confidence.
He called on the Igbo people to rediscover themselves, saying they have been blessed in many ways, including population and entrepreneurship, advising them to use those blessings consciously.
According to him, the Igbo are the most backward people in terms of political consciousness.
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.
