Author: Gloria Lamar Johnson

THE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – as Chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to persuade the sub-regional body to adopt diplomatic channels in handling issues arising from the seize of power by the military junta recently in Niger Republic. Although the professional body of editors in Nigeria noted that military intervention is now regarded as an aberration around the world, it nevertheless, urged the ECOWAS to employ ‘’strategic engagement and diplomacy’’ in ensuring that democratic structures are restored in the country. The NGE also observed that the hike in pump…

THE President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on Monday, shed light on organised labour’s private meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja last Wednesday as nationwide protests broke out over the rising cost of living. Ajaero, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today monitored by News Point Nigeria, said the President attempted to reduce the presidential fleet, among other decisions aimed at reducing the cost of governance. Asked if the labour leaders demanded government officials must also tighten their proverbial belts, Ajaero said that line of questioning led to Tinubu’s rationale for his staff size which has…

A FIRST-CLASS traditional ruler in Nasarawa State, the Emir of Gurku, Jibrin Mohammed, and his wife, has been abducted. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident to journalists. He disclosed that the Emir was taken away from his palace which is located a few kilometres from the Mararraba main town of Karu Local Government Area on Sunday night by kidnappers alongside his wife. He added that a combined Police team in collaboration with vigilante groups combed the surrounding bushes of the area after receiving a distress call but no trace of the abductees. Efforts to rescue…

THE Kaduna State Government says it is working with with state legislature to enact a law that will provide for a six months paid exclusive breastfeeding for working mothers in both private and public sectors. This was disclosed by the Nutrition Officer of the State Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs Ramatu Musa, during a community engagement forum with key stakeholders in collaboration with an international non governmental organization, Alive and Thrive as part of occasions to mark the international breastfeeding week. Stakeholders at the forum stressed the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to tackle the scourge of malnutrition in children as well…

THE Nigerian Navy has countered an allegation of a vessel carrying stolen crude oil which the Tantita Security Services supposedly intercepted in the Koko area of Delta State on Wednesday. Tantita Security outfit is a private security company owned by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly called Tompolo, an ex-Niger Delta agitator who recently signed a contract with the Federal Government to protect oil pipelines. The 1,117-tonne vessel purportedly intercepted was carrying about 8,100 barrels of crude, the security outfit said. Operatives of the Tantita Security said the vessel, tagged MT Praisel, was flying a Togolese flag and was being escorted by a…

TWO Priests of St Luke’s Catholic Church, Gyedna, Garam Ward in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, Fr Paul Sanogo and Seminarian Melchior have been reportedly abducted by gunmen suspected to be bandits. This newspaper gathered that the priests were kidnapped in the early hours of Thursday at their residence in Gyedna. Residents told this newspaper that the kidnappers shot into the air for over an hour before they whisked away the two priests. The Catholic Bishop of Minna, Most Rev Dr Martin Igwe Uzoukwu in a message he sent to church members and shared with our correspondent said…

SUSPECTED kidnappers have killed a relative of the former senator representing Kwara South in the National Assembly, Simeon Suleiman Ajibola. The deceased, Biodun Ajibola, was said to be the manager of the farm owned by the former lawmaker who hails from Ekiti Local Government Area of the state. The incident, this newspaper gathered, happened on Monday around 8:00 am. The manager was allegedly killed while trying to resist the kidnap around Isapa area of the council. A source told our correspondent that further attempts to abduct the manager’s driver, Felix Segun Adeleye, failed after the kidnappers were distracted by some…

THE Super Falcons are to face England in the round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria finished runners-up in Group B of the competition after a goalless draw with Ireland on Monday. A day after that, the Lionesses trounced China 1-6 to confirm the matchup with Coach Randy Waldrum’s girls. That game is billed for Monday, August 7th, 2023.

A NIGERIAN doctor based in the United Kingdom has lost custody of his 16-year-old son to the government after flogging him with a belt. This was revealed by a child rights advocate known as pepstalk1 on her Instagram page on Wednesday. She narrated that the Nigerian doctor flogged his son after he caught him and his friends invited over to study together watching an inappropriate video. His friends reportedly informed the police and told them that while the father was beating his son with a belt, the doctor repeatedly said, “Is this how you want to become a doctor?” She…

THE Super Falcons came from a goal down to beat Australia 3-2 in a Group B game at the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Thursday. Emily van Egmund gave the Maltidas the advantage just into extra time in the first half after a poor clearance from the Nigerians. But Coach Randy Waldrum’s girls responded minutes later to level the scoreline. Rasheedat Ajibade was the provider as Uchenna Kanu sent the ball to the back of the Austrialians’ post. That strike saw both sides heading into the tunnel with the match all square. While Austrialians pushed for a second goal of…

THE Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday said it would probe the fracas involving its officials and personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) at the Federal High Court in Lagos. On Tuesday, DSS operatives got physical with the prison officers on the court premises over custody of suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele. News Point Nigeria had reported that the scuffle between both agencies occurred after Justice Nicholas Oweibo admitted Emefiele to bail in the sum of N20m and ordered that the embattled CBN chief be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending…

OPERATIVES of the Department of State Services (DSS), on Tuesday, re-arrested suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, after a tussle with officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS). News Point Nigeria reports that, Emefiele’s re-arrest occurred after Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos admitted the embattled and suspended apex bank chief to bail in the sum of the N20m. The judge also ordered that Emefiele be remanded at the correctional center pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions. Shortly after the ruling, DSS operatives strategically positioned their Hilux Pick Up van…

OFFICIALS of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), on Tuesday, fought over the custody of suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. News Point Nigeria reports that, the secret police and prison officials clashed over the agency to take custody of the suspended and embattled apex bank chief after Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos admitted Emefiele to bail in the sum of the N20m. The judge also ordered that Emefiele be remanded at the correctional center pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.…

LAWYERS to suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, have raised the alarm that the Department of State Service (DSS) is planning to re-arrest their client despite the bail granted him by a Federal High Court in Lagos. News Point Nigeria reprots that, the lead counsel for the embattled and suspended CBN chief, Joseph Daudu, made this known after the court’s ruling on Tuesday. Earlier on Tuesday, Justice Nicholas Oweibo admitted Emefiele to bail in the sum of the N20m and ordered that he be remanded at the correctional center pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions. Shortly…

THE Federal High Court Sitting in Lagos has granted bail to the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele in the sum of N20m with one surety in like sum News Point Nigeria reports that Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted bail after listening to the submissions of Emefiele’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN). The judge rejected the Federal Government’s claim that Emefiele was a flight risk. He ruled that the government failed to provide any fact to support its claim. Emefiele, 61, had also pleaded “not guilty” to the two-count charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition filed against him by the Federal…

THE Federal High Court, Lagos has rejected the Federal Government’s claim that it had not received a copy of the bail application filed by the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in his alleged gun possession trial. In a short ruling on the issue, Justice Nicholas Oweibo held that there was evidence that the government was served. The bail application was filed by Emefiele’s lawyers led by Joseph Dauda (SAN). Dauda had asked the court to hear the application seeking bail on self recognizance, noting that his client had fulfilled all the conditions necessary to make the…

SUSPENDED Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday, was arraigned at the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on two counts of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. News Point Nigeria reports that, he was brought to the court by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) at 09:21am. Emefiele was arraigned before the vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo. Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, led other lawyers in Emefiele’s defence. The suspended apex bank chief, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. After the plea, Daudu, a…

JUSTICE Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court Abuja has affirmed an ex-Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi State, Usman Ododo, as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state. Delivering judgement, Justice Egwuatu dismissed a suit that was brought before it by an APC governorship aspirant of the party, Abubakar Achimugu. Ododo emerged as winner of the party’s primary conducted in the state on April 14. However, dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll, the plaintiff approached the court, alleging that the APC candidate did not validly resign…

NIGERIA’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 22.79% in June from the 22.41% recoded in May 2023. This is according to the latest CPI report released by the National Bureau of Statistic (NBS) on Monday. The CPI measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services. “In June 2023, the headline inflation rate rose to 22.79% relative to May 2023 headline inflation rate which was 22.41%. Looking at the movement, the June 2023 Headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.38% points when compared to May 2023 headline inflation rate,” the Bureau stated. The report also showed that…

THE Department of State Services (DSS) says it has charged Godwin Emiefele, suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to court. The secret police said this in response to the order of a high Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that said Emefiele should be released within seven days or charged to court immediately. Ruling in a fundamental human rights suit filed by Emefiele, Justice Hamza Muazu held that detention no matter how short is a breach of fundamental rights. Responding, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesman, said, “Sequel to an Abuja High Court Order of today, 13th July,…