Author: Sadiq Abdullateef

THE Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice, and inclusivity in the distribution of national resources, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has treated all regions of Nigeria equitably in both appointments and infrastructure development. News Point Nigeria reports that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this in Abuja while reacting to recent claims that certain parts of the country were being sidelined in federal allocations and appointments. Idris emphasized that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was anchored on balanced development and inclusivity, stressing that verifiable data shows equitable distribution of projects across…

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has exposed a sprawling drug trafficking cartel operating within Nigeria’s aviation sector, accused of planting narcotics on unsuspecting pilgrims and implicating them abroad. The shocking revelations come days after three innocent Nigerian pilgrims, Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Abdulhamid Sadiq were detained in Saudi Arabia on allegations of drug trafficking. Their ordeal has thrown Nigeria’s aviation industry into fresh controversy, sparking outrage, fear, and renewed calls for urgent reform. According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the pilgrims boarded Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET940 from Kano to…

PROMINENT African investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, has opened up about the defining moment in his career when he was appointed a bank branch manager at just 27 years old, an opportunity he says changed the trajectory of his life and ignited his lifelong commitment to youth empowerment. In a post shared on his LinkedIn page on Friday cited by News Point Nigeria, the Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA) recalled how his appointment at AllStates Trust Bank was met with skepticism, as many doubted a young professional could handle such a responsibility. “When I…

FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has denied reports suggesting that he has abandoned plans to contest the 2027 presidential election, describing the publication as false and misleading. The denial followed claims in a report by Newsweek Nigeria that Jonathan had opted not to pursue a second-term ambition so as not to disrupt Southern unity ahead of the polls. Although the former president has not formally declared his candidacy, strong indications point to ongoing nationwide consultations with political stakeholders as part of moves to actualise a potential comeback bid. On Friday afternoon, Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert, debunked the report in a statement…

THE Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has spent more than N14 billion feeding inmates awaiting trial in the country’s custodial centres between January and August 2025, findings have revealed. An analysis of inmate records obtained by News Point Nigeria showed a steady rise in the number of persons held without trial during the period under review. In January, there were 48,932 awaiting-trial inmates. By the end of February, the figure had increased to 52,771, and further climbed to 53,254 in March. The number slightly dipped to 52,937 in April, but rose again in June to 53,178, before reaching 53,473 by July.…

FORMER Minister of Transportation and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he will not withdraw from the race for the 2027 presidency, insisting that he is prepared to challenge President Bola Tinubu at the polls. Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, made this known on Thursday in Kano while addressing journalists after a meeting with a coalition of traders. In a separate interview with the BBC Hausa Service, monitored by News Point Nigeria, Amaechi was emphatic about his political ambition. “I will contest the ADC presidential primary, and by God’s grace, I…

THE Federal Government has announced plans to end the misuse of police and other security operatives by Very Important Persons (VIPs), warning that elite protection can no longer continue at the expense of Nigeria’s collective security. News Point Nigeria reports that the declaration was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU), Hadiza Bala-Usman, on Thursday at the Ministry of Interior’s performance retreat in Abuja. Bala-Usman expressed deep concern over the diversion of police officers and specialised squads from their statutory responsibilities to serve as escorts for…

THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain what it described as “statistically implausible” figures in its first-week report on new Permanent Voter Card (PVC) pre-registrations, particularly in the South West. In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi made available to News Point Nigeria, the ADC expressed deep concern that the data, if not clarified, could erode public trust in the country’s electoral process. According to INEC’s report, Osun State alone recorded 393,269 pre-registrations in just one week. The ADC argued that this figure…

THE Federal Government has released a comprehensive list of 30 countries currently connected to Nigeria by direct flights, with a new route to Brazil set to commence soon. The data, compiled by Statisense from aviation tracker FlightConnections obtained by News Point Nigeria, underscores Nigeria’s growing role as a regional aviation hub, linking West Africa to key destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Nigeria’s international connectivity is anchored on five major airports: Lagos (Murtala Muhammed International Airport) Abuja (Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport) Port Harcourt International Airport Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Enugu International Airport Of these, Lagos and Abuja…

THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed him to maintain close collaboration with his predecessor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in the interest of party cohesion and stability. News Point Nigeria reports that Yilwatda made the disclosure on Wednesday when Ganduje paid him a condolence visit over the passing of his mother. He emphasized that despite succeeding Ganduje, the former chairman’s guidance and political experience would be invaluable to the success of his tenure. “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked me to work with you, to…

THE Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed reports alleging that its officers were being compelled to pay as much as ₦350,000 for the issuance of training certificates. In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday made available to News Point Nigeria, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, described the claims, published by an online newspaper (Not News Point Nigeria}, as false, misleading, and designed to tarnish the image of the institution. “The allegation that officers are forced to pay ₦350,000 for training certification is completely baseless. At no point has the Service authorised or permitted such payments,” Umar said.…

NIGERIA’s insecurity crisis has birthed what analysts now describe as a “ransom economy,” where kidnap-for-ransom operations have grown into a structured, profit-driven industry competing directly with legitimate business activities. A new report by SBM Intelligence covering the period between July 2024 and June 2025 sighted by News Point Nigeria reveals that at least 4,722 people were abducted in 997 incidents nationwide, with kidnappers demanding nearly ₦48billion and collecting confirmed ransom payments of ₦2.57 billion ($1.66 million). The think tank warns that ransom payments are not only eroding household incomes but also crippling business confidence, raising costs, and stunting investment across…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sadness over Tuesday’s derailment of an Abuja–Kaduna passenger train, which left at least six passengers injured and forced the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to suspend operations along the corridor. In a statement posted on his official X handle, @officialABAT cited by News Point Nigeria, the President said he was following developments closely, even while on an official visit to Brazil, and awaiting a full briefing on the circumstances that led to the mishap. “Even while in Brazil, I have received reports of today’s Abuja–Kaduna train derailment. “I am deeply saddened by this incident. My…

THE controversy surrounding the alleged diversion of ₦6.5 billion from the Kano State treasury has taken a new dimension as former State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs and an aide to former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,, Muhammad Garba  accused the state government of engaging in a “media trial” and resorting to “propaganda” instead of providing clarity on the matter. In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday made available to News Point Nigeria, Garba responded to an earlier press release by the Kano State Government dated August 25, 2025, and signed by its Director General of Media,…

AS part of activities marking its 25th anniversary, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has engaged leading Northern social media influencers, urging them to use their platforms to amplify the forum’s vision of unity, peace, and development in Northern Nigeria. News Point Nigeria reports that speaking at the interactive meeting held in Kaduna, ACF leadership acknowledged the growing influence of digital platforms in shaping public opinion, particularly among the youth, and emphasized the need for strategic partnerships between traditional institutions and the online community. In his opening remarks, the ACF representative, former Minister of information, Lai Muhammad welcomed the influencers, noting…

PANIC gripped passengers on Tuesday morning after a train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed, forcing terrified commuters to scramble for safety. News Point Nigeria gathered that the incident, which occurred along the Kaduna corridor shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11am, once again raised fresh concerns about the safety of one of Nigeria’s busiest rail routes. Eyewitnesses described the moment as tense and chaotic. “People were shouting and trying to get out. Nobody knew what was happening, everyone was afraid,” one passenger told News Point Nigeria, noting that fear of possible attacks compounded the confusion. Although details remain…

THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced bold plans to activate a 260,000-strong rapid deployment counter-terrorism brigade, with an annual budget of $2.5 billion to combat rising insecurity across the region. News Point Nigeria reports that the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, disclosed this during the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit held in Abuja, themed: “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration.” Represented by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Touray said the initiative would focus on…

THE Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bashir Ojulari, has warned that crude oil theft in Nigeria and across Africa is not merely a localised crime but a sophisticated operation driven by international and continental syndicates exploiting security lapses. Ojulari made the declaration on Monday at the opening of the Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja, where military chiefs and global stakeholders gathered to deliberate on pressing security challenges facing the continent. “Crude theft and its attendant illegal activities are by no means a purely localised occurrence; rather, these operations involve specialised…

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has deducted a staggering N235.6 billion between January and July 2025 to bankroll oil exploration in northern Nigeria, according to its latest financial records. News Point Nigeria reports that the deductions, made under the Frontier Exploration Fund (FEF) as stipulated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), represent 30 per cent of Profit Sharing Contract (PSC) proceeds earmarked for new oil discoveries. These frontier basins include the Chad Basin, Benue Trough, and Kolmani field straddling Bauchi and Gombe States. The fund, designed to diversify Nigeria’s oil production base away from the Niger Delta, has…

THE Federal Government has announced plans to submit the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly by September 2025, in what officials describe as a renewed effort to end the country’s long-standing tradition of late budget presentation. This disclosure was contained in a 2026 Personnel Cost Budget Call Circular issued by the Budget Office of the Federation and signed by its Director-General, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu. The circular, dated July 7, 2025, was obtained from the agency’s official website by The PUNCH on Sunday. News Point Nigeria reports that the directive was addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, chief executives…