Author: Gbenga Mukhtar

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.

THE Special Offences Division of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed Thursday, October 9, 2025, to rule on the admissibility of critical digital evidence tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. News Point Nigeria reports that Justice Rahman Oshodi reserved ruling after a heated courtroom exchange between the prosecution and defence teams over the authenticity, source, and certification of digital documents extracted from the mobile device of a key witness, Mr. John Adetola, who once served as Executive Assistant…

THE Lagos State Judiciary has announced that a coroner’s inquest into the recent Afriland Tower fire tragedy, which claimed the lives of ten people, will commence with a preliminary meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. News Point Nigeria reports that the inquest, to be presided over by Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, follows a formal request by the law firm of Falana & Falana’s Chambers, led by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, urging the Chief Coroner of Lagos State to investigate the circumstances surrounding the September 16 inferno. In a letter dated October 6, 2025, and signed by Magistrate Adetunji on…

IN a far-reaching judgment that could redefine financial investigations and law enforcement powers across Nigeria, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ruled that Magistrate, Area, and Customary Courts have no statutory authority to issue orders freezing or restricting customers’ bank accounts, or to reverse financial transactions. News Point Nigeria reports that delivering judgment in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/07/2025, Aiman Mahfouz v. Fidelity Bank Plc, Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala held that such orders fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of High Courts as courts of competent authority under Nigerian law. “I know of no law that clothes a Magistrate with statutory…

MINISTER of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has declared that he will contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, insisting that it is now his turn to lead the state after years of political investment and perseverance. News Point Nigeria reports that Adelabu, who made the declaration during a stakeholders’ engagement with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan, said he had “paid his dues” in the political arena and was confident that divine providence and political destiny would favor him in the coming polls. The minister’s bold declaration, which echoed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s famous slogan “Èmi…

THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State says South West will not abandon President Bola Tinubu in 2027. The APC Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Saturday in Lagos was reacting to a comment credited to supporters of a PDP presidential aspirant, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, that the South West would not re-elect Tinubu in 2027. Mr Oladejo said that Olawepo-Hashim had never built a durable political structure nor demonstrated the electoral muscle required to win a national contest. According to him, Tinubu will crush all gang up against his reelection in 2027. Mr…

TRAGEDY struck in Ogun State on Friday evening when a Dangote Group truck lost control and rammed into a tricycle, killing all five passengers on board instantly. News Point Nigeria learnt that the fatal crash occurred around 8:25 p.m. at Alapoka village, along the Papalanto–Ilaro Road in Yewa South Local Government Area, sparking outrage among residents who nearly attacked rescue officials deployed to the scene. Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the truck, with registration number GRZ 767 XA, reportedly suffered brake failure before colliding with the tricycle.…

A FORMER deputy governor of Osun State, Iyiola Omisore, has announced his intention to run for the 2026 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made on Saturday through his official handle on X (formerly Twitter) sighted by News Point Nigeria. Omisore stated that his formal declaration will take place on October 7, 2025, at the APC secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital. According to him, the event will be held under the theme: “Fix the Broken, Restore Our Dreams.” “I believe strongly that together, we can restore hope, strengthen governance, and deliver…