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Bayesla Gas Fire: FG Pledges Lasting Solution …As Community Leaders, Youths Laud Petroleum Minister’s Visit
The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has pledged the commitment of the Federal Government to provide lasting solution to the incidents of environmental pollution caused by the exploration and production of oil and gas especially in the Niger Delta region of the country.
Speaking during an assessment tour of some communities believed to have been impacted by the recent gas fire at the Chevron Nigeria operated KS Endeavour drilling rig, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke stated the readiness of the Petroleum Ministry to galvanise the International Oil Companies, IOCs, as well as the host communities to ensure that the operating environment is made safe for all concerned in line with international best practice.
Last month there was a fire outbreak after an explosion from a new gas well head at Funawa 5 gas platform along the Kolu-Ama River in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on the Drilling Rig KS located in shallow water approximately 10 km off the coast of Nigeria.
The resultant gas fire which has since diminished to a marginal level brought to the fore the perennial challenge of environmental pollution and degradation in the oil bearing region.
At the end of the evaluation exercise which saw the Petroleum Minister undertake aerial survey of the eight host communities spread across Southern Ijaw and Brass Local Government Areas (Koluama 1, Koluma 11, Ekeni, Foropa, Fishtown, Ezetu 1, Ezetu 11 and Sanga, Mrs. Alison-Madueke assured the community that the President is determined to bring the suffering of oil producing areas to an end.
“We have done the aerial survey, we have seen, and also heard from the community leaders and youths, the next thing is to report back to the President and within the next one week to provide response to the community leaders,’’ Mrs. Alison-Madueke stated.
Responding on behalf of the community, His Royal Highness, Mienye Newton, the Ama nanaowei of Kolu-Ama 11, pledged the readiness of the entire clan to work with the Petroleum Ministry as well as the IOCs to ensure clean environment and the much needed development of the area.
Echoing the same sentiment, HRH Jeremiah Lechemo, the Amananaowei of Kolu-Ama 1 applauded Mrs. Alison-Madueke for being the first as well as the highest Federal Government official to visit what is known as the Keffes communities made up of the eight oil and gas bearing communities under the Chevron operating area in Bayelsa state.
“The visit by the Minister has made us to forget about the pain we are going through, though the pinch is still there but this is the first time we are feeling federal government’s presence in our midst,’’ the Monarch stated.
Christopher Tuodo, Chairman of the Keffes Rural Development Foundation also spoke thus: “Today is unique in the history of the people of Keffes, unique in the sense that this is the first time a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria, CNL, are personally visiting our community,’’ he stated.
Tuodo called on the Minister to fastrack the supply of relief materials to the people as well as provide urgent medical assessment team to undertake a comprehensive appraisal of the situation.
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.