Author: Gbenga Mukhtar

NOBEL laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has revealed that the United States government has revoked his visa, effectively preventing him from entering the country until further notice. News Point Nigeria reports that the literary icon disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, where he expressed surprise and confusion over the development. Soyinka told journalists that he felt compelled to address the issue publicly because he had several upcoming engagements in the United States, and attendees needed to be aware of his inability to travel. “It is necessary for me to hold this…

FORMER Governor of Ekiti State and former Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of lacking the political will to remove Nigeria’s long-standing fuel subsidy during his administration, despite enjoying the backing of key stakeholders including state governors at the time. News Point Nigeria reports that Fayemi made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference, where he examined the country’s economic trajectory, leadership values, and the boldness required to implement tough policy decisions. Addressing the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests that greeted Jonathan’s attempted subsidy…

AN undisclosed number of persons were reportedly trapped after a building collapsed in Lagos in the wee hours of Monday. This was disclosed in the situation report released by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye sighted by News Point Nigeria. The affected building has been identified as a two-storey building located at 54 Cole Street, near Cemetery Bus Stop in the Oyingbo area of Lagos. Adeseye, who confirmed the incident, said the Sari-Iganmu Fire Station team was immediately dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call at about 12:20am on Monday. The agency…

MINISTER of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has proposed the adoption of a law mandating government officials to patronise Nigerian airlines on international routes. News Point Nigeria reports that Keyamo made the proposal on Sunday during the ceremonial send-off of Air Peace’s inaugural direct flight from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport. The event, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema. At the occasion, the minister said the Federal Government would soon introduce a bill tagged the Fly Nigerian Act.…

LAGOS socialite, Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, alias Pretty Mike, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during a raid on a nightclub in the Victoria Island area of the state. NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday sent to News Point Nigeria, saying over 100 suspects were arrested when the drug party was going on. Babafemi claimed that cartons of banned substances, including Loud and laughing gas, were recovered from the venue during the operation conducted in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 2025. According to him, NDLEA operatives…

HUMAN rights activist and #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, has been re-arrested by the Nigerian Police shortly after his court appearance at the Kuje Magistrate Court on Friday. News Point Nigeria reports that Sowore, alongside Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, a former member of Kanu’s legal team, and ten others, had earlier met their bail conditions. The court granted them bail in the sum of ₦500,000 each, with two sureties residing in the Federal Capital Territory and possessing valid identification and three years of tax clearance. Despite fulfilling the bail conditions, only Sowore was reportedly picked up and whisked away…

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released new figures showing that four states — Abia, Edo, Ebonyi, and Ondo are lagging behind in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections. The online and physical voter registration, which began nine weeks ago, is part of INEC’s nationwide effort to update the voter register, capture first-time voters, and allow those who have changed locations to transfer their polling units. According to the latest data published on the Commission’s dedicated CVR portal sighted by News Point Nigeria, participation across the six geopolitical zones has been uneven,…

A TEENAGE girl, Joy Ogah, on Monday made history when she symbolically took over the seat of Vice President Kashim Shettima, using the rare platform to passionately advocate for education, empowerment, and dignity for girls across Nigeria. The symbolic takeover, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was part of activities marking the International Day of the Girl Child, organised by PLAN International Nigeria, a global humanitarian organisation promoting girls’ rights and equality for children. In a statement released by the Office of the Vice President on Tuesday sent to News Point Nigeria, the event brought together Vice President Shettima…

THE Federal Government, on Sunday, dismissed reports of an alleged coup attempt to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, expressing full confidence in the Nigerian Armed Forces and their loyalty to democratic governance. News Point Nigeria reports that Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this in an interview while reacting to a viral report that claimed 16 military officers were being detained over an alleged failed coup. On Saturday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), through its Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, categorically denied the report, describing it as “fake and mischievous.” Gusau, in the statement, said…

TENSIONS are building in the Federal Capital Territory as human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has vowed to proceed with the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest on Monday, October 20, 2025, despite a Federal High Court order restraining demonstrations near key government institutions in Abuja. The protest, organized by pro-democracy and human rights groups, seeks the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his 2021 extradition from Kenya. Kanu faces charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony. In…

THE family of the late Herbert Heelas Macaulay, widely regarded as the Father of Nigerian Nationalism, has rejected the manner in which the Federal Government included his posthumous pardon among a list containing convicted drug traffickers and other criminals. News Point Nigeria reports that at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, members of the Macaulay family, joined by Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, expressed deep displeasure over what they described as a demeaning and careless lumping of Macaulay’s name alongside those of individuals “who broke the…

THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has dismissed recent claims by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu alleging that some Nigerian pilots operate aircraft under the influence of substances, describing the assertion as false, misleading, and damaging to the reputation of the aviation sector. In a detailed statement signed by the Director General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo sent to News Point Nigeria, the agency reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to global aviation safety standards, emphasizing that all pilots in Nigeria are subjected to rigorous certification, medical, and fitness evaluations before being cleared to operate any aircraft. “No pilot is permitted to…

OYO State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has issued a stern warning to those plotting to frustrate preparations for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s forthcoming National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, describing such efforts as “an attempt to stop a moving train”, an act he said would amount to political suicide. News Point Nigeria reports that Makinde, who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Monday shortly after inaugurating the PDP National Convention Transportation Subcommittee, said Oyo State would deliver “the most successful convention in the history of the party.” The governor’s warning comes amid rising tension within the…

UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced that the winners of the 2025 edition of the annual National Essay Competition (NEC) will receive educational grants worth over N22.5 million to study at any African university of their choice. News Point Nigeria reports that this year, the first-prize winner will receive N10 million university grant, which represents a substantial 33% increase up from the N7.5 million awarded last year. The second and third-place winners will each receive N7.5 million and N5 million educational grants, respectively, up from the N5 million and…

PSYCHIATRISTS and medical professionals have raised concerns over Nigeria’s growing mental health crisis, revealing that about 50 million Nigerians are currently living with mental health challenges, with over 75 per cent of them lacking access to professional care. The experts made this known during a closing-gong ceremony held on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in Lagos on Friday to mark the 2025 World Mental Health Day, an annual global event observed on October 10 to raise awareness and promote advocacy for mental well-being. Speaking at the event, the Medical Director and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Pinnacle Medical Services, Dr. Maymunah…

THE Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has inaugurated a new executive committee to steer the affairs of the association for the next term, with veteran journalist and publisher, Danlami Nmodu, mni, emerging as President after a keenly contested election held in Lagos. News Point Nigeria reports that Nmodu, publisher of Newsdiary Online and a long-standing member of the Guild, succeeds Dr. Maureen Chigbo, publisher of RealNews Magazine, who served as GOCOP President until the expiration of her tenure. The new executive committee also includes Olumide Iyanda as Deputy President, Sufuyan Ojeifo as General Secretary, Akeem Oyetunji as Deputy General…

CONCERT For Change, a non-profit initiative, has disbursed N160 million to support special needs children and provided funding to charity organisations. News Point Nigeria reports that the group, which organised Green Worship, said it will  raise N100 million annually and increase the charity organisations it supports from four to 10 beneficiaries. The move aligns with its determination to impact societies and improve conditions of vulnerable children. The Green Worship 8.0 will hold its music event at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, next week, to raise funds for charities supporting orphans and children with disabilities. The concert will feature a gospel artistes,…

FORMER Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has criticised the Supreme Court of Nigeria and other judicial bodies for what he described as a persistent tendency to elevate technicalities over substantive justice, saying the approach undermines public trust and weakens the very foundation of the legal system. News Point Nigeria reports that Osinbajo, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), made the remarks on Thursday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, while delivering his keynote address at the Second Professor Yusuf Ali Annual Lecture organised by the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete. In his lecture, the former Vice President…

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has announced that the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has admitted additional evidence in the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over an alleged $4.5bn fraud. In a statement released on Thursday made available to News Point Nigeria, the EFCC said Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court made the ruling during proceedings on October 9, 2025. “Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on October 9, 2025, admitted more evidence against a former Governor of the Central…

RENOWNED Nigerian statesman Dr Christopher Kolade has died aged 92, his family announced in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria. “We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service; and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings,” the statement read in part. The statement said the late broadcaster died peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Born on December 28, 1932, Dr Kolade had a distinguished career as a diplomat, academic, advocate for integrity and corporate governance, among other things.