THE Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, on Wednesday said it paid N250m for the release of 121 abducted students of the Bethel Baptist High School in the state. This newspaper reports that bandits had on Monday, July 2, 2021, stormed the school owned by the Nigeria Baptist Convention in Damishi, Kaduna and abducted 121 students. However, NBC last week confirmed the release of the last victim, Treasure Ayuba, who was abducted on July 5, 2021. The NBC President, Dr Israel Akanji, had said: “Glory be to God! Glory be to God!! Glory be to God!!! Treasure Ayuba, the…
Author: News Point Nigeria
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IN the last few days, the media, both electronic and the conventional media have been awashed by all sorts of reports and analysis about the recent judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal that nullified the governorship election and return of Alhaji Yusuf Abba as the governor of Kano state. To my mind, I think and believe that this judgment and series of opinion or analysis that followed have all failed to decipher the real position of the law with regard to the major reasons why the Tribunal nullified the election. As shall be demonstrated anon, the Tribunal lacked jurisdiction to…
By Ifeatu Agbu IN the heart of Nigeria’s energy landscape, the resplendent Corporate Head Office of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) became a vibrant tapestry on a momentous Tuesday, October 10, 2023. It played host to the esteemed Management team from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), embarking on a journey that would redefine their shared destiny. This auspicious gathering marked the genesis of a novel and profoundly symbiotic relationship between two entities dedicated to nurturing the cradle of Nigeria’s prosperity, the Niger Delta region. In a breathtaking twist of fate, the NDDC and NLNG, once locked in…
SCORES of terrorists have been killed in stream-of-air strikes in their enclaves across the theatres, the Nigerian Air Force said Sunday. The air interdiction missions were carried out by the Air Components of Operations Hadin Kai and Hadarin Daji, at a newly identified terrorists’ hideout at Bukar Meram, near the Lake Chad region in Borno. According to the Air Force’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the strikes became necessary after it was established that the recent relocation of terrorists from Suwa to Bukar Meram general area, was for possible resurgence of attacks on ground troops…
By Aniekan Ekpo THE recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative is not just another bureaucratic paperwork. It represents a beacon of hope, a shining light amidst the often dark and conflicted narratives of the Niger Delta region. It is a story of collaboration, of leveraging the abundant resources that Mother Nature has bestowed upon this land, and most importantly, a story of collective responsibility towards the people and the environment. The partnership between NDDC and NLNG serves as…
By Ben Adam Shemang JUST take a second look at the photo again. Who did you see? Let me tell you: from left is Mrs. Oghogho and her husband, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, next are Major General Nuhu Angbazo (rtd.) in flowing blue attire and his wife, after him is Major General Obinna Ajunwa, former General Officer Commanding, 81 Division who is in pink and at the extreme right is Corporal Stephen Ogunfowashe. They danced their souls out at the ECWA Good News Church on Sunday 17th September, 2023, in Maitama, Abuja. It was thanksgiving…
By Pius Ughakpoteni IN an era where transformative narratives are yearned for, the Niger Delta emerges as a beacon of hope, showcasing what can be achieved when vision aligns with action. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), under the forward-thinking leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is setting an exemplary trajectory for the Niger Delta. The British High Commission’s commitment to partner with the NDDC on clean energy initiatives heralds a promising leap towards sustainability. Mr. Hamish Tye, Second Secretary (Political), British High Commission, elucidated his vision during his visit to the Commission’s. He sHeadquarters last week: Mr Tye observed that…
By Chijioke Amu-Nnadi THE appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to a fresh term in the newly announced governing board of the interventionist agency offers a few important lessons on how to manage opportunity and promise. Appointed first in January, 2023, by the outgone administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Ogbuku, who as the managing director served with the former chairman, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, the former executive directors of projects and finance and administration, Mr. Charles Ogunmola and Major General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd.), respectively, as well as…
By Bola Saliu “Good governance is the art of putting wise thought into prudent action in a way that advances the well-being of those governed”. – Diane Kalen-Sukra Above submission aptly captures the colour and character of the current leadership of States in Northern geopolitical zone of Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. Nothern Nigeria is about to begin a journey unprecedented.But predictably a journey of joy and jubilant expectations. Not because of certainty of facts, since no man is certain of the future except the maker of man, the Almighty God. But certainty of expectations because of the man that…
By Muhammad Adamu IT is with profound sadness, tonnes of countless heavy hearts and total submission to the will of the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Allah (SWT) that we witness the untimely passing of a beloved friend, a cherished brother, an exceptional colleague, and a true embodiment of humility, humbleness, and commitment to a noble cause, Mustapha Balarabe Adamu. His sudden departure has left an irreparable and irreplaceable bottomless void in our lives and our community that will forever ache with his absence. Balarabe Mustapha Adamu (aka Bala Poly) is a name that resonates with grace and dignity. He…
By Chisom Adindu THE resurgence of Gestapo era last witnessed during General Sani Abacha’s jackboot regime is gradually staging a comeback in our democratic dispensation. Nigeria witnessed the abrasive invasion of the National Assembly by the Nigerian secret police, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The President though was not in the saddle at the time, was away on medical treatment abroad. His Vice President, who acted as the President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo held sway. The Vice President didn’t blink an eyelid sacking the Director General of the agency, Lawal Daura, for the assault,…
By Badamasi S Burji THERE is a general consensus that the late General Hassan Usman Katsina (Ciroman Katsina) lived a life that redefined and personified the rare virtues of honesty, and integrity at their highest. And when it comes to the love for the nation and its teeming populace, General Hassan’s sense of patriotism was second to none. Though he was a nationalist, he also balanced it with being a foremost pillar of the North. He abhorred corruption stiffly. As Governor, he ruled the entire Northern Region, which geographically is still more than 72% of the total landmass of the…
A special contribution By Ali Muhammad AFTER 4 yrs of unmitigated catastrophe, during which Matawale behaved like a ruthless bandit and pirate on the edge of the Sahara Desert rapaciously appropriating the resources of Zamfara State and rendering the geo-polity more pitifully impoverished, Matawale should not be compensated for his gubernatorial infamy with a ministerial slot). Matawalle claims about 3-billion was spent on security and surveillance equipment) (What is Matawele’s connection with a’’ dot.com‘’ pharmaceutical company that was awarded a 1-billion naira contract to supply vehicles? Bello Matawalle was an accidental Governor (2019-2023) who will be ignominiously remembered for literally plunging …
By Chisom Adindu A CURSORY assessment of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in all facets of socio-economic life was thoroughly abysmal, and a tragedy in the history of Nigeria. Nigerians, especially the poor masses, reposed so much hope in the retired Military General considering his touted integrity. He got the mandate based on his All Progressive Congress Party (APC) mantra, ‘Change’, hoping he would restore sanity in our socio-economic life, battered by the sixteen year misrule by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Nigerians expected a breath of fresh air from the general who once ruled this country but…
By Mohammed Ismail I WAS overwhelmed with excitement when president Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) announced Malam Nuhu Ribadu as his Special Adviser on security last week. The announcement, has elicited raging debates on whether the appointment of Ribadu as special adviser to the president on security approximates to the National Security Adviser (NSA) or not. A lot of us who wish to see a better Nigeria for their children and the generation yet unborn remained upbeat that despite the hoopla sorrounding the announcement, Ribadu will still get the…
By Bashir Maidugu “Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts.”.. – E.B White. THE furore generated over the remarks of the Vice President, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, GCON is a consequence of a combination of several intricacies not unconnected with our diversity as a nation. During his interaction with Senators-Elect prompted by the intransigence of some Senators aspiring to the leadership of the Senate to concede to the Party’s zoning formula, Shettima, being a staunch nationalist and inclusivist, opined that.. “…under the current dispensation, the most incompetent Southern Christian is better…
By Ismaila Uba Misilli “IF you possess the stuff of a champion you can’t stay too long in the abbys of the minnows”. The above aphorism is a terse formulation of a truth that captures the fate of Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, when his colleagues across the northern region unanimously elected him to chair the highly influential Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF). Governor Inuwa took over from the immediate past governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, with effect from May 29, 2023. The former chairman of the forum had, while handing over to the new chairman,…
By Hafiz Abass THERE is a growing appetite for marine environment protection in Nigeria, as the country seeks to benefit more from its vast maritime endowments. The country is taking a cue from the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78), which it is a party to. MARPOL is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment through ships from operational or accidental causes. In an effort to implement the MARPOL Convention, the Nigerian government enacted the Merchant Shipping Act, 2007, and Merchant Shipping (Ship Generated Marine Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations, 2012. …
By Aliyu Samba FOR years, the fuel subsidy system in Nigeria has been plagued by corruption, mismanagement, and inefficiency. The intended purpose of the subsidy, to alleviate the burden on the masses, has been overshadowed by the reality that it often favors the ruling class. This systemic flaw has perpetuated a cycle of inequality, hindering our nation’s progress. During his inauguration speech on May 29th, 2023, President Tinubu made a bold statement by declaring his government’s commitment to ending fuel subsidy. He rightly emphasized that this step is necessary to ensure fairness and equity, channeling resources towards sectors that benefit…
By Adamu Muhd Usman POLITICAL Ccmpaigns and elections have come and gone. What remains now is the governance. Jigawa governor, Malam Umar Namadi a.k.a Dan modi is planning to constitute his new cabinet anytime from now for his first tenure in office for four years term (2023 – 2027). In-Sha-Allah. Cabinet formation is one the factors that make or mar administration, especially in states like Jigawa – where people’s expectations are high. The agitations and expectations of Jigawa citizens is to see Jigawa progress to a new level- improvement on the existing development and commencement of new ones. Governor Dan…