SENATE President, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday, jocularly told ex-Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, that he would be biased if he asked the ministerial nominee any question during ministerial screening. A two-term governor of Plateau, Lalong was the Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 general elections. Lalong was one of the nine former governors that made the 48-man ministerial list of President Bola Tinubu which was submitted to the red chamber for screening. Appearing before the upper chamber on Friday, the ex-Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum applauded Akpabio as an “uncommon…
Author: Hamza Rufai
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AFTER 51 years of operation in Nigeria, British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced plans to end its prescription medicines and vaccines in the country. In a statement sent to the Nigerian Exchange Limited, the multinational pharmaceutical company said it would transition to a third-party direct distribution model for its pharmaceutical products. At the same time, the company said it is now working with its advisers to agree on the next steps, while it plans to submit a scheme of arrangements to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the possible return of cash to its local shareholders. GlaxoSmithKiline was incorporated…
POWER supply from Nigeria to the Republic of Niger was stopped on Wednesday, as sanctions against the neighbouring country by the Economic Community of West African States increases. On Sunday, ECOWAS, led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, decided on sanctions against the military personnel in Niger who toppled President-elect Mohamed Bazoum’last week. On July 26, officers of the Presidential Guard arrested Bazoum and declared him deposed. In addition to a one-week ultimatum to restore constitutional order and the suspension of financial transactions with Niger, ECOWAS decreed the freezing of “all service transactions, including energy transactions.” Impeccable sources in Nigeria’s power…
THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it is not backing down on a nationwide protest over the hike in the pump price of petrol and other issues, describing reports suggesting otherwise as the handiwork of “fifth columnists”. In a statement late Tuesday, the body said though it held a meeting with the Federal Government, the mass action will hold as earlier planned. “We want to inform all Nigerians that we have just risen from a meeting with the Federal Government where we sought to get them to listen to the demands of the people and workers of Nigeria,” NLC president…
THE Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has expressed deep concern regarding the impending nationwide protests announced by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). While recognizing the constitutional right to peaceful protests, Egbetokun has appealed to the involved parties to ensure the demonstrations remain peaceful and not be hijacked by miscreants. The IGP, acknowledging the labour unions’ grievances, emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue in resolving the issues. In this regard, he has directed the Commissioners of Police across various commands and supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to engage with the NLC and…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved provision of buses to the students’ bodies of all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country. Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the development was in furtherance of the President’s desire to ease the burden of the fuel subsidy removal on students of higher institutions of learning, “The desire of the President is to see that students can access their campuses without much difficulty as a result of higher transportation costs. “The provision of the buses will…
SUPER Falcons sealed a spot in the round of 16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup after a goalless draw with their European contingents, Ireland Randy Waldrum’s team needed a draw to be sure of the next round passage and made history by avoiding defeat in three consecutive World Cup matches for the first time. The Falcons had to endure an early minute of pressure from the Irish captain, Katie McCabe almost gave her side the lead when she attempted a low driving show which fizzled past the post. However, in the 14th minute, Asisat Oshoala had the chance to…
MAX Air will resume its domestic flight operations on Sunday, July 30, two weeks after its operations were suspended. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority suspended the airline’s operations on July 13 over safety concerns. Announcing the resumption in a statement made available to News Point Nigeria, Sunday morning, Max Air assured its passengers that the safety issues raised had been addressed. The statement reads: “Max Air Limited is pleased to announce the resumption of domestic flight operations from Sunday, July 30, 2023, following a temporary suspension due to safety concerns. “We want to express our gratitude to our valued customers…
BANDITS have killed no fewer than six farmers, including the Vice-Chairman of the Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus-Sunnah (JIBWIS), Mallam Yakubu Muhammad Bugai in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Also, the hoodlums were reported to have abducted over 40 farmers. Chairman, Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives’ Union, Ishaq Usman Kasai, stated this in a statement issued on Saturday. According to him, the incident took place on Wednesday. Kasai explained that the Islamic cleric was shot on Wednesday at his farmland located around the Rema area and was later evacuated and taken to Jibril Mai-Gwari General Hospital sustaining gunshots on his…
FORMER Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday, said he will reform the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in line with the current realities Ganduje stated this in Abuja while playing host to members of the National Integrated Movement and the APC Support Group ahead of the official announcement of his appointment as the party’s National Chairman. He also expressed his disappointment with the resignation of Salihu Lukman as the National Vice Chairman (North West) of the party. “When I heard it, I said it is very unfortunate. He shouldn’t have resigned because he was only informing members of the…
THE Federal Government has told the Nigeria Labour Congress that it is legally restrained from embarking on planned nationwide strike against the hike in the price of petrol and the high cost of living in the country. News Point Nigeria reported on Wednesday that the NLC had given the government a seven-day ultimatum to reverse all what it called anti-poor and insensitive policies or face a nationwide industrial action. However, reacting to the ultimatum, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, B.E Jedy-Agba, in a statement on Wednesday, said the union was restrained by the order of the national…
A SIX-MONTH-OLD baby, Chinedu Chukwueke, who was abducted from his mother’s shop at Kure Ultra Modern Market, Minna, Niger State capital, has been found. Father of the child, Chikezie Stanley Chuks, disclosed this on Wednesday. He said the baby was dumped at a refuse dump close to Gauraka police station in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State. This newspaper reports that the baby was taken from his mother’s shop by someone who tricked the mother that she wanted to learn hair dressing. “Baby have been found. He was dumped at a refuse dump close to Gauraka police station. Baby…
THE Senate Tuesday urged the federal government to halt the proposed increase in electricity tariff by the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos). It also called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to look into the rate review applications filed by the Discos, taking into consideration the interest of citizens, affordability and the need for improved service delivery. It equally urged the Discos to discontinue estimated billing and make available to all electricity consumers prepaid meters at affordable prices. The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde (Oyo Central) who said the Discos had no justification for the hike…
THE Court of Appeal on Tuesday delivered judgement on an appeal of no case submission by former governor of Jigawa State Sule Lamido, discharging him and his son Mustapha Sule Lamido on all count charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). News Point Nigeria reports that, the case had lingered for about nine years. According to the lead judgment of Justice Adamu Waziri, the appeal is resolved against the respondent and in favour of the appellant. “Having resolved them, he said, the ruling of the Federal High Court is thereby set aside, strucked out, apparently discharged,” the judge…
A six-month-old baby, Chinedu Chukwueke, has reportedly been abducted at his mother’s salon shop in Kure Ultra Modern Market, Minna, Niger State capital. The father of the boy Chikezie Stanley Chuks broke the sad news on his Facebook page. He wrote, “Good afternoon, pls my baby boy by name Chinedu Chukwueke of 6 months old was taken from my wife’s shop today Sunday 23 July, 2023 at Kure market Minna. Pls any useful information about this little baby should be reported to the nearest Police station or contact 07033186837.” He also made similar post on Twitter saying, “My baby boy…
SAUDI Arabian club, Al Hilal SFC, have reportedly made a world-record bid of 300 million euros for PSG forward, Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe has been at loggerheads with the executive of the French club after the 24-year-old informed them he wouldn’t extend his contract which expires in 2024. The 11-time Ligue 1 champions have also left Mbappe out of their travelling squad for a four-match pre-season tour in the Far East and put him up for sale, with speculations indicating the Frenchman intends to see out his contract and then join Real Madrid next summer on a free transfer. But the…
THE Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume is assuring Nigerians of the government’s plans to ease the pains of the hike in the price of petrol. Since the removal of the petrol subsidy, there has been a hike in the price of the commodity. Earlier sold for about N190 per litre, the price has gone up to between N600 and N700 since President Bola Tinubu pronounced that “subsidy is gone”. The development has triggered a backlash but Akume says the government is not oblivious of these concerns. “As our team takes shape, I want to remind…
GUNMEN suspected to be bandits attacked the residence of the former minister of information, Mr Labaran Maku in Ola community, Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa State. Three security guards attached to the residence, sustained serious injuries during the attack on Saturday. According to one of the security guards, the attackers tried to force their way into the residence but were resisted by the guards. “When they couldn’t get access, they started shooting sporadically and scaled the fence into the residence,” he explained. The suspected bandits fled on sighting security agents who rushed in from Akwanga to deal with the…
THE FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has urged Abuja residents to prepare for a downpour on Sunday but placed its staff on alert. FEMA spokesperson Nkechi Isa gave the advisory in a statement Saturday, saying the warning followed the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET)’s earlier projection of heavy rain in Abuja and neigbouring states. “The Federal Capital Territory,(FCT) and States contiguous with it are expected to experience heavy to moderate rainfall tomorrow,” the FEMA image maker said. It added that “NiMET impact-based weather forecast also anticipates low to moderate rainfall on Sunday 23rd, 2023 in parts of the FCT and its…
GOVERNORS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are meeting behind closed doors Wednesday evening to discuss the state of affairs of the party, following the resignation of its National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; and National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore. The pair stepped down on Monday, paving the way for the emergence of the Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Abubakar Kyari, as the party’s National Chairman. A reliable source told News Point Nigeria that, the meeting may also set the emergence of former Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the new party chairman. The source added that, President Bola Tinubu…