Author: Maimuna Bashir Isa

THE Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has emphasized the importance of empowering Nigeria as a gateway country to the black global community, highlighting the UAE’s support in achieving this goal. The Minister made this known in Abuja on Wednesday when she met with the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to Nigeria H.E. Salem Saeed Musabbeh Al Mahyoub Al Shamsi, to discuss ways to strengthen tourism and cultural ties between the two countries. She congratulated Sheikha, the Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, on her historic appointment as the first female Secretary-General, noting that she is opening…

THE Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has called on stakeholders to increase investment in the country’s creative sector. Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, Minister Musawa emphasized the sector’s potential to drive inclusive growth, generate employment, and enhance global competitiveness. She said that recent statistics show that the creative economy in Nigeria currently contributes approximately 2.3% to the national GDP and employs over 4.2 million people across various sectors. Musawa highlighted the sector’s growth potential, citing the success of Nollywood, the Nigerian fashion industry, and the Afrobeats music genre.…

THE Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has inaugurated a working committee to unveil the Confederation of African Fashion (CAF), also known as Afroliganza. According to a statement by Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Ph.D, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister sent to News Point Nigeria, this initiative aims to revolutionize the African fashion industry by creating a unified platform for African countries to develop and implement policies that will propel the continent’s fashion industry to new heights. The Confederation’s primary objective is to increase Africa’s share of the global fashion market from 1.2% to a…

LEADER of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, on Sunday unveiled what she called the “toughest immigration reforms in British history,” announcing a sweeping new border security strategy that would see up to 150,000 illegal migrants detained and deported every year. In a video message posted on her official X (formerly Twitter) handle seen by News Point Nigeria, Badenoch unveiled the Radical Borders Plan, which she described as a comprehensive blueprint to “take back control” of Britain’s borders and end what she termed the “asylum hotel racket” draining public resources. “My message is clear: if you’re here illegally, you will…

JUSTICE James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, challenging the legality of the six-month suspension imposed on Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct. News Point Nigeria reports that the suit, filed by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others, was dismissed by the judge on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi (legal standing) to bring the matter before the court. Marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, the suit contested the validity of the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for various reasons. Among other things, the plaintiffs asked the court to void…

THE Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) officially resumed operations on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, after weeks of intensive inspections, rigorous safety checks, and staff retraining by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). News Point Nigeria reports that the first train of the day departed from Idu Station in Abuja, made its scheduled stop at Kubwa to pick up passengers, and arrived successfully at Rigasa Station in Kaduna. A return trip to Abuja was also completed, marking the full restoration of passenger operations along the corridor. Confirming the development, the NRC Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, issued a statement on behalf of…

THE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, has congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary, celebrating the resilience, courage, and unity that have defined Nigeria’s journey since 1960. In his goodwill message sent to News Point Nigeria by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkassim Abdulkadir, Ambassador Tuggar described the country’s 65 years of nationhood as a testament to the indomitable spirit of its people, who have navigated challenges with strength while embracing opportunities for progress. He noted that Nigeria continues to make significant strides in consolidating democracy, fostering economic…

THE Federal Government has confirmed that all income earned in Nigeria, including money made by commercial sex workers, popularly known as “runs girls” is subject to taxation under new fiscal reforms scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026. News Point Nigeria reports that Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, made the clarification during a tax education session at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David parish, Lagos. In a widely circulated video, Oyedele explained that while upkeep money or gifts sent to relatives and dependents are exempt from tax…

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address long-standing issues affecting the university system, warning that failure to act could trigger a nationwide strike. The decision was reached after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja. In a statement personally signed by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna sent to News Point Nigeria, the union decried what it described as government neglect and consistent refusal to honour agreements. “Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of fourteen…

THE wedding ceremony of Dr. Chikamkpa Amaechi and Anita Nwabueze, son and daughter-in-law of Nigeria’s former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, attracted a roll call of Nigeria’s political heavyweights, past leaders, and dignitaries in Abuja. News Point Nigeria reports that among those present at the church wedding were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, and Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. Other eminent personalities in attendance included former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Senate President and current National Chairman of the African…

THE Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has officially launched Operation Safeguard the Road (OSGR), a flagship programme designed to enhance the safety and quality of federal roads while creating empowerment opportunities for youths along critical road corridors. The launch ceremony took place on the Zuba-Giri-Abaji-Lokoja-Kogi State Border Road in Kwali, Abuja. According to a statement  by the Director (Information/Public Relations), Hajiya Maryam M. Sanusi (Mrs.), fnipr sent to News Point Nigeria,, OSGR is strategically crafted to improve road safety, reduce travel time and costs, and provide temporary employment for youths aged 18–45 in adjoining communities. Key components of the initiative…

FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that he bears no grudges against anyone over past political disputes or personal attacks, stressing that forgiveness, humility, and reconciliation are indispensable for Nigeria’s unity and democratic progress. Jonathan made the remarks on Wednesday evening in Abuja during a requiem mass held in honour of the late Audu Ogbeh, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and one-time National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement released by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze sent to News Point Nigeria, the former president described Ogbeh as a man of peace, humility, and forgiveness,…

THE Central Bank of Nigeria has raised the alarm that the abuse and poor handling of naira banknotes are significantly increasing the cost of printing and replacing them. The warning came on Wednesday during the launch of a nationwide sensitisation campaign on proper naira handling, held in Abuja. News Point Nigeria reports that delivering a keynote address, the Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate, Dr Bala Bello, represented by the Director of Currency Operations and Branch Management Department, Dr Adedeji Adetona, stressed that the naira is more than just a medium of exchange. “The naira is more than a means of payment.…

THE Federal Government has announced the official theme for Nigeria’s 2025 Independence Day celebrations. This was contained in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen made available to News Point Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja. He said the theme, “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” indicates the need for unity, collaboration, and patriotism among government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and citizens to advance national peace, prosperity, and progress. The government said the choice of theme reflected…

WITH the 2027 general elections steadily approaching, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released fresh statistics from the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, showing that Osun State continues to top the chart with the highest number of registrants. According to data published at the end of week five obtained by News Point Nigeria, Osun recorded 678,904 pre-registered voters, making it the leading state in the nationwide exercise. INEC revealed that a total of 5,385,060 Nigerians have so far pre-registered on its online portal. Out of this number, 2,585,216 (48.1%) are male, while 2,799,844 (51.99%) are female—an indication that…

THE Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee has reduced the interest rate by 50 basis points, from 27.5 percent in July to 27 percent. News Point Nigeria reports that this followed the decision of the 12 members of the Committee at its 302nd meeting held on September 22nd and 23rd, 2025. The asymmetric corridor around the MPR was retained at +260 and -250 basis points, providing a framework for liquidity management and signaling the CBN’s cautious approach toward market volatility. CBN Governor, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, who briefed journalists after the meeting, said the committee’s decision to lower the monetary…

NIGERIA’s secondary schools may have to spend an eye-watering ₦1.6 trillion to meet the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)’s new Computer-Based Testing (CBT) requirements ahead of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). News Point Nigeria reports that the council recently announced that schools seeking accreditation as CBT centres must have a minimum of 250 functional desktop computers, a robust server, a local area network (LAN), CCTV cameras, and other ICT infrastructure in place before they will be allowed to host candidates. In a statement, WAEC explained that the move is part of a comprehensive plan to fully…

THE Federal Government says a total of 67,657,559 barrels of crude oil were allocated to local refining companies between January and August 2025, a figure that highlights both progress and persistent challenges in Nigeria’s effort to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum refining. News Point Nigeria reports that confirming the figures in Abuja on Sunday, the Head of Media and Strategic Communications at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Eniola Akinkuotu, said the allocation was carried out under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) framework, which compels oil producers to reserve a portion of…

THE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced October 8, 2025, as the deadline for States Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions, and licensed Hajj Tour Operators, to remit Hajj fares ahead of the 2026 pilgrimage. Recall that the Commission had earlier announced a provisional fare of N8.5 million for the 2026 Hajj exercise, as part of early preparations for the pilgrimage, “pending final negotiations on all service contracts.” In a statement signed by NAHCON’s Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Fatima Usara, on Sunday obtained by News point Nigeria, the Commission said the deadline is in line with the…

THE World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that almost 1 billion people face mental health conditions, calling on governments to take decisive steps towards addressing them. The Director General of the Organisation, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, raised the alarm ahead of the High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health slated for September 25. He warned that failure to address the health conditions would cost millions of lives and strain economies. “Non-communicable diseases include 7 of the world’s top 10 causes of death. In addition, almost 1 billion people face mental health conditions. “Countries that act decisively to beat NCDS will…