Author: Abdullahi Maitama Sani

THE Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has defended the Nigerian military over the controversial airstrike on Jilli village market near the Borno–Yobe border, stating that anyone engaging in business with terrorists constitutes a legitimate military target. News Point Nigeria reports that Olusegun made the remark in a post on X on Monday while reacting to a tweet by radio broadcaster Osasu Suave, who had questioned whether images circulating online actually depicted a market. The broadcaster had written, “For once, look at this image again. Does this look like a market to you?” In response, Olusegun…

VICE President Kashim Shettima visited Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Saturday to commiserate with the Nigerian Army and the state government over the recent attack on military personnel in Benisheikh. The attack had left several officers and soldiers dead, including Brigadier General Oseni Braimah. News Point Nigeria reports that Shettima was received by the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, among other top government functionaries in the state. He said that the heart of President Bola Tinubu bleeds with the bereaved families of those who lost their lives. “On behalf of the President I wish to convey our deep…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has acknowledged the growing hardship facing Nigerians due to rising fuel prices, while urging citizens to remain hopeful, stressing that the country is still better positioned compared to some others. News Point Nigeria reports that the President made the remarks on Friday during a visit to Bayelsa State, where he inaugurated a number of projects. Addressing concerns about the current economic situation, Tinubu admitted the impact of rising fuel costs on citizens but encouraged a perspective of resilience. “I hear you from various angles of the economy. The fuel price is biting hard, but look around,…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians of better days ahead under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the present difficulties are only temporary. News Point Nigeria reports that in his Easter message to Nigerians, the Vice President expressed optimism that the country will overcome its current economic and security challenges. “Easter is a reminder that history often bends in favour of those who refuse to surrender to despair. It is the story of light piercing through darkness, of hope rising from the shadows of pain, and of faith prevailing over fear,” Shettima said. He restated…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to remain united, resilient, and hopeful despite prevailing economic and security challenges, assuring that his administration is making steady progress toward national recovery and prosperity. In his 2026 Easter message sent to News Point Nigeria on Friday, the President extended warm greetings to Christians across Nigeria and the world, noting that the season symbolises sacrifice, redemption, and the triumph of hope over adversity. Tinubu said the Easter celebration, which commemorates the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, offers a powerful reminder of the redemptive power of sacrifice and faith. According to him,…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Thursday hosted President Mahamat Idriss Déby of Chad at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The brief high-level meeting underscores ongoing efforts by both countries to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen cooperation on regional security, trade, and economic development. News Point Nigeria reports that Tinubu received the Chadian leader in a closed-door session, where both leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and regional collaboration. The meeting took place shortly before Tinubu’s planned trip to Jos to commiserate with victims of recent attacks in Plateau. Nigeria and Chad, key stakeholders in the Lake Chad Basin, have continued to collaborate…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Shu’aib Aliyu as the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund. Aliyu replaces Ahmed Aminu, who resigned his position to pursue the 2027 governorship election in Adamawa State. News Point Nigeria reports that the President also approved the renewal of the appointment of Sule Abdulaziz as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria for a second and final term. The appointments take immediate effect. According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Aliyu is a seasoned academic…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu today postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, Ogun State, tomorrow to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport. Instead, he will head to Jos, capital of Plateau state, to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the recent gun attacks, which claimed the lives of innocent citizens. From Plateau, the President will travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday. On Saturday, April 4, President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircraft for the export and import of goods,…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Sen. Dr Ibrahim Ida as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission and nominated seven people to fill vacant commissioner positions at the National Population Commission.  According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Ida holds an MSc in Banking & Finance from the University of Ibadan (1983) and an LLB from the University of Abuja (2003). Before being elected to the Senate in 2017 to represent Katsina Central, he served as the Commissioner of Finance for Katsina State and as the Permanent Secretary of the…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has pledged to donate all his salaries since assuming office in May 2023 to a newly established welfare fund aimed at supporting members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and their families. News Point Nigeria reports that Tinubu announced this in a statement he personally issued on Sunday to mark his 74th birthday. “On this, my 74th birthday, I celebrate the valiant men and women of our Armed Forces. “Today, I have directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to establish a special account for a fund dedicated to those who serve, those wounded in the line of duty,…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Wednesday departed Lagos for Abuja after marking the Eid-el-Fitri, following his historic state visit to the United Kingdom. Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria, saying Tinubu’s plane left the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport at 6.44 pm. “President Tinubu returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom in the early hours of Friday and participated in the Eid-el-Fitr prayers held at Dodan Barracks,” the statement read. “As part of his Lagos schedule, President Tinubu received 23 governors, including Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji. “The President also…

AS Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Muslim faithful in Nigeria, urging renewed commitment to the nation and humanity. President Tinubu enjoined Nigerian Muslims to rededicate themselves to the noble teachings of the holy month, which emphasise piety, empathy, and unity among humanity. The President’s message was contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday. “We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this. We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered Nigeria’s service chiefs to immediately relocate to Maiduguri following the deadly suicide bomb explosions that rocked the Borno State capital, in a decisive move aimed at strengthening security operations in the troubled region. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Tuesday, the President expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and injuries recorded in the attacks, describing the incident as “profoundly upsetting” and extending condolences to victims and their families. “I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the establishment of a Presidential Petroleum Reform & Value Optimisation Taskforce to design and sequence the next phase of structural reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Mr Fola Adeola, co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank and founder and chairman of the Fate Foundation, is the Task Force’s chairman. As chairman, he will coordinate the group’s work and ensure the timely delivery of its mandate. Other members of the Taskforce are: Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Osagie Okunbor, Abubakar Suleiman, Adaeze Aguele, Farouk Gumel, Phillipa Osakwe-Okoye and Seyi Bella. Mofoluwasho Fadayomi will serve as secretary. As constituted, the Taskforce…

MINISTER of Defence, Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country’s fight against terrorism following a security briefing with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. News Point Nigeria gathered that the briefing followed a closed-door meeting on Thursday between the president and top security officials, including the service chiefs and the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu. The meeting comes amid renewed attacks on security personnel and military formations across the country, including a deadly assault on the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, by suspected Boko…

BRITAIN will impose airspace restrictions and deploy armed police officers in Windsor next week as President Bola Tinubu arrives for a state visit hosted by King Charles III. Tinubu is expected to begin the visit in the company of his wife Oluremi Tinubu on Wednesday, March 18, with a reception at Windsor Castle. Thames Valley Police in a statement on its website on Wednesday, said it is working with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household and other security partners. The force said airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle, which are in place permanently throughout the year, would…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting democratic governance and the rule of law in Nigeria, declaring that the country’s democratic system will continue to survive and flourish under his leadership. The President gave the assurance on Wednesday during an inter-faith breaking of the fast held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he hosted members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress and leaders of the Inter‑Party Advisory Council. Speaking at the gathering, President Tinubu stressed that the unity and stability of Nigeria depend on good governance and respect for democratic principles,…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has overcome some of its toughest economic challenges, stating that state governors across the country no longer resort to bank loans to pay workers’ salaries. The President made the remark on Monday while hosting religious and traditional leaders to an interfaith breaking of the fast at the Presidential Villa Abuja. The development was disclosed in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the country and assured Nigerians that his…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced the successful conclusion of a historic settlement agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria, ENI, and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAEL). The agreement was reached at a meeting in the President’s office attended by the Chief Executive Officer of Eni, Claudio Descalzi; Chief Operating Officer of Eni, Guido Brusco; Head of Sub-Saharan Region, Mario Bello; Managing Director of Nigerian Agip Exploration, Fabrizio Bolondi; and Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen. This brought to a close the long-standing dispute over Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, paving the way for the development of…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate suspension of the current cashless payment system at the federal airports. News Point Nigeria reports that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the suspension on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja. He said the President directed an immediate return to the status quo while a more efficient system is developed. “Mr. President was very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and the fact that most Nigerians were losing their flights, missing their flights. “So Mr. President, out of empathy, directed today that we…