Author: Farouk Abbas

NIGERIA’s oil and gas sector was thrown into turmoil on Monday as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) commenced a nationwide strike, shutting down operations at key regulatory institutions including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). News Point Nigeria reports that the strike, which followed a weekend directive by the union’s National Executive Council, was sparked by the alleged wrongful dismissal of 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. PENGASSAN accused the refinery of violating Nigerian…

THE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has strongly condemned the increasing misuse of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act by law enforcement agents, particularly the police, to harass, intimidate, and unlawfully detain journalists across the country. In a communiqué issued at the end of its Standing Committee meeting held in Jos, Plateau State, on September 17, 2025 received by News Point Nigeria, the Guild described such actions as a deliberate assault on press freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, vowing to resist them with every legal tool available. The NGE, the foremost professional body of editors in Nigeria spanning…

Calls For Arrests Of Culprits AMIDST its cold war with management of Dangote Refinery, the leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has raised alarm over desperation by a certain group to break its rank through the promotion of a phony forum called Elders o f the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG. Comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, National President and General Secretary, respectively of the Union raised the alarm in a press statement on Sunday night. The leadership of NUPENG which maintained that such a Forum was unknown to its Constitution noted that…

NIGERIA is facing a looming energy and electricity crisis as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike, following a rift with Dangote Refinery over the dismissal of hundreds of workers. News Point Nigeria reports that the industrial action, which began on Sunday, September 28, 2025, has already halted operations at key oil and gas facilities and may soon plunge the country into widespread blackout, as gas-powered power plants shut down operations in compliance with the union’s directive. In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN directed…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a statement on Sunday by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha sent to News Point Nigeria, the Vice President is now headed to Germany where he is scheduled to hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank to explore areas of intervention and partnership in Nigeria’s developmental initiatives. Nkwocha said that during his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council…

THE Captain of Royal Golf Course Dutse, Jigawa State, Alhaji Ibrahim Babangida Umar, Ma’ajin Dutse, has been elected into the Board of the Nigerian Golf Federation (NGF) as the representative of the Northwest Zone. According to a statement signed by his media consultant, Abdulkadir Ahmed Ibrahim, FNGE (Kwakwatawa) made available to News Point Nigeria Sports late on Saturday, the election followed the exercise for Northwest Zonal Representatives into the Boards of National Sports Federations, held on Saturday, 27th September, 2025, at the Zonal Headquarters of the National Sports Commission, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. Alhaji Babangida Umar, a seasoned golfer and…

THE Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, has claimed recently, among others, that the 2025 Hajj operation he conducted was the best since the establishment of the commission in the last 19 years. An audio clip reviewed by this newspaper revealed that Mr Pakistan granted the interview in Hausa, but it was translated into English even though it was not indicated that it was conducted in Hausa largely due to the NAHCON chairman’s incapacity to speak and write in English. Insiders said Mr Pakistan visited Daily Trust head office in Abuja three times…

A MAGISTRATE Court sitting in Zone 6, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, has ordered the remand of self-acclaimed President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Arc Kabir Ibrahim, at a correctional centre over allegations of joint act, impersonation, criminal intimidation, and inciting public disturbance against Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi, who was duly elected AFAN National President in Kano in 2021. Delivering the ruling, Her Lordship, Hon. Justice Ekpeyong, stated that Kabir Ibrahim was once lawfully elected as National President of AFAN, but deliberately refused to vacate office upon the expiration of his tenure as provided under the Association’s…

FORMER National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ex-Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said that the reported moves by his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to rejoin the ruling party must be subjected to strict rules and due process. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday monitored by News Point Nigeria, Ganduje stressed that the APC would not oppose Kwankwaso’s return but insisted that the former Defence Minister must abide by the constitution and guidelines of the party. “We’ve heard about Kwankwaso’s return plans. In democracy, the vote of a thief and that…

NIGERIA has spent a staggering ₦804.10 billion on the importation of arms and ammunition between 2020 and the second quarter of 2025, according to new figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). News Point Nigeria reports that the revelations have ignited fresh debate over the country’s reliance on foreign suppliers, despite government reforms aimed at reviving the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and promoting self-sufficiency in arms manufacturing. Data from the NBS show an inconsistent but upward trend in arms imports: 2020 – ₦29.24bn 2021 – ₦72.50bn 2022 – ₦28.24bn 2023 – ₦127.16bn 2024 – ₦520.02bn (the single…

THE Federal Government has reiterated that all Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) across the country are fully funded, warning school administrators against imposing illegal charges on students and their parents. In a statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations, the Minister of State for Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa sent to News Point Nigeria, stressed that tuition at FTCs is completely free, with the government also covering all approved expenses. According to him, the Federal Government pays for a wide range of student needs including boarding, uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, prospectuses, ID cards, stationery, clubs and societies, medical…

THE Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a $10,000 reward for information on Nigerian fraud suspect, Olumide Adebiyi Adediran. News Point Nigeria reports that Adediran, 56, faces charges of bank fraud, identity document fraud, and credit card fraud linked to crimes in Illinois in 2001. “The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Olumide Adebiyi Adediran,” the agency said. The US Investigative agency said he allegedly attempted to cash fraudulent cheques and used stolen identities of US citizens to open bank accounts. He fled the Central District of…

THE Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has presented cheques worth a total of Two Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand, Forty-One Naira, Eighty-Seven Kobo (₦2,171,124,041.87k) to 1,574 beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased police officers. News Point Nigeria reports that Egbetokun said the development is in continuation of efforts to support families of fallen heroes, under the Group Life Assurance and IGP Family Welfare Schemes. The event was held at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, with the Force Management Team, insurance industry stakeholders, and beneficiaries in attendance. The benefits presented cover policy years from 2015 to…

THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has predicted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be a one-term leader, citing what it described as the administration’s failure to deliver on campaign promises, worsening insecurity, hunger, and “unprecedented abuse of power.” The party was reacting to the Presidency’s recent dismissal of claims that Tinubu harboured plans to stay in office beyond 2031, following comments by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi sent to News point Nigeria, the ADC said Tinubu’s mandate would end in 2027 and insisted Nigerians would not extend it…

THE Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, and his full-time commissioners, travelled to Saudi Arabia on Monday to finalise the 2026 Hajj services contracts. This was revealed in a statement by Hajj Commission spokesperson Fatima Usara on Sunday, September 21, 2025. She said that the chairman, secretary, and the three permanent commissioners would be departing to Saudi Arabia on September 22, 2025, to “finalise agreements with relevant service providers in preparation for the 2026 Hajj.” “This trip is in conformity with the operational calendar released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah…

NATIONAL Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday, presided over an emotional reunion as two kidnapped women were handed back to their family after being rescued from captivity in Kaduna State. News Point Nigeria reports that the victims, Khadijah Shehu Magaji and her sister Fatimah Shehu Magaji, were abducted on August 18, 2025, in Makarfi Town, Kaduna State, before being whisked into the dreaded Yadi Forest in Kidanda, Giwa Local Government Area. During their months-long ordeal in the kidnappers’ den, Khadijah endured the unimaginable: she gave birth to a baby girl, whom she named Hafsat, under harsh and life-threatening…

FIRST Lady Oluremi Tinubu has raised more than ₦20 billion towards the long-delayed National Library project in Abuja, transforming her 65th birthday celebration into a landmark drive for education and knowledge. News Point Nigeria reports that instead of hosting an elaborate party on September 21, 2025, the First Lady called on Nigerians to convert gifts and greetings into contributions for the “Oluremi at 65 Education Fund.” The fund is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education with a focus on completing the National Library, which has remained unfinished for decades. Speaking to State House correspondents on Monday, Mrs. Tinubu…

THE Department of State Services (DSS) has interrogated former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), over the violent attack on his convoy in Birnin Kebbi earlier this month. News Point Nigeria reports that Malami, who now leads the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State, confirmed on Monday night that he was questioned at the Birnin Kebbi Command of the DSS in connection with the September 1, 2025 incident, where his convoy was ambushed by suspected political thugs. The former minister’s entourage was targeted shortly after he paid a condolence visit to the family of…

THE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has revealed that human error, excessive speeding, and the misapplication of the emergency braking system were the primary causes of the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment that occurred on August 26, 2025, leaving 22 passengers injured and hundreds more shaken. The NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday received by News Point Nigeria, following the conclusion of an internal investigation into the frightening incident near Asham. The accident, which saw several coaches of the Abuja-bound passenger train overturn, triggered panic among the 618 passengers onboard. Eyewitnesses described the scene as…

POLITICAL fireworks have erupted once again over Nigeria’s most divisive political controversy, the alleged third-term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo as ex-lawmaker and prominent political activist, Dr. Usman Bugaje, has boldly countered Obasanjo’s recent denial, accusing the former president of using “threats” and “money” to push for a constitutional amendment to extend his stay in power. News Point Nigeria reports that Obasanjo, speaking last week at a Democracy Dialogue hosted by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Ghana, dismissed what he called a “persistent myth” about his alleged ambition to remain in power beyond 2007. “I’m not a fool. If…