News
Amaechi Tasks Leaders On Boko Haram… Woos: German Investors To Nigeria
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi says the
security challenges faced in the northern parts of the country and the Boko
Haram insurgency can be halted if the leaders of the north would rise up to
their responsibilities.
Governor Amaechi said this yesterday when the Flag Officer
Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Nigerian Navy (NN), Rear Admiral
Olufemi Ogunjimi visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, Governor
Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum called on
leaders in the north to stand up to the demand of the times, urging them to respond
to the issues of security and wanton destruction of lives and property.
Somebody has to stand up for the North, somebody has to give
up himself to restore peace in the north, somebody has to take responsibility,
the state Chief executive said, noting that it takes a lot of commitment,
sacrifice and courage to address security issues, thanking the Nigerian Navy
for their efforts at restoring peace and order across the state.
Earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval
Command (ENC), Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Olufemi Ogunjimi, thanked Governor
Amaechi and the state government for the support the Nigerian Navy has received
so far, noting that it has enhanced their operational capabilities, expressing
its readiness to continue to collaborate with the state government.
Rear Admiral Ogunjimi tasked the judiciary and other law
enforcement agencies on the speedy prosecution of criminals arrested, and
handed over to them by the Navy, assuring Nigerians on its commitment to secure
the nation’s waterways and resources.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi had called on German investors
to take advantage of the vast area of land in Nigeria and invest in
agriculture.
Amaechi, who is the
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) made the call on Wednesday
in Berlin, the German capital.
Amaechi and five other governors are on a tour of Germany to
understudy its federal system of government with a view to replicate its best
practices in their states.
Our correspondent covering the visit reports that the tour
was the result of the collaborative effort between the NGF and the German
Agency for International Cooperation (GAIC).
The governors, from Enugu, Niger, Plateau, Borno and Katsina
states, are paying special attention on Germany’s administrative system, fiscal
policy and the establishment and sustenance of small and medium scale
enterprises.
They are also expected to meet and woo prospective European
investors to their respective states.
“I will urge you to please come to Nigeria because of its
vast land and invest in agriculture and your return will be quick.
“ I am sure that if you do the computation, you will see
that it will be cheaper to invest in agriculture.
This he said would not only help boost the economy of the
country, but would reduce the number of unemployed youths in the country.
He added that there were other areas of investment in
Nigeria that could guarantee quick returns because of its large population
backed by purchasing power of the citizens.
Such areas, he said, include electricity, education and
transportation among others.
Our correspondent reports that GAIC was presently helping to
grow small businesses in some states in Nigeria.
The German government had also entered an agreement with the
Federal Government to help strengthen the country’s institutions as well as
provide managerial training in Nigeria’s energy sector to help address the
challenges in that sector.
However, the German Agency for International Cooperation
(GAIC) has said that the development of economic potentials was the biggest
challenge faced by governments across the world.
Director of the Agency, Mr Kians Bruckner, said this in Berlin on Wednesday while
welcoming six Nigerian Governors who are in Germany to understudy its federal
system of government.
Bruckner, who said that the responsibility of developing SME
was enormous, urged the governors to use the opportunity of their visit to
Germany to interact effectively with German government officials and business
owners.
He welcomed the decision of the governors to visit Germany
and commended the effort of the various governments in Nigeria at developing
SMEs.
“I encourage you to not only listen but to talk about your
experiences and expectations so that we would have a better understanding of
your challenges.“ Bruckner said.
This, he stressed would enable the governors to get
appropriate advice and support from German officials.
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.