FORMER General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori, is dead. He reportedly died on the same day he was supposed to mark his 80th birthday, Kokori, a activist with the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), died of kidney-related ailment in the early hours of Thursday at a private hospital in Warri, Delta State. His death was confirmed by the Delta State Government. Kokori gained prominence in the struggle for the validation of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election won by late Chief Moshood Abiola. Dignitaries and some of the old associates…
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THE crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly took a new twist on Wednesday as 27 lawmakers loyal to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, sat under tight security in the complex. The Rivers Assembly had become factionalised following an unsuccessful move to impeach Governor Siminialayi Fubara. The Amaewhule-led lawmakers are believed to be loyal to Fubara’s predecessor and political godfather, Nyesom Wike. It was learnt that ahead of Wednesday’s sitting, cleaners had on Tuesday been deployed to clean up the Assembly complex, which had been under locks, since October 29, following an explosion in the complex the night before. One…
MAPLE Leaf Early Years Foundation, a non-governmental organisation in Nigeria,has won the prestigious global 2024 Zero Project Award for Inclusive Education In Emergencies In Transitional Learning Centres, according to a statement made available to the News Point Nigeria in Abuja. Judith Hermetter, Head of Communications to 2024 Zero Project Award International, said in the statement issued on Monday that Maple Leaf Foundation was selected from among 500 nominations across the globe as the winner in the category. “The Zero Project has announced the Zero Project Awardees 2024, centred around Inclusive Education, and ICT. 77 Innovative Solutions from 43 countries will…
THE Rivers State Police Command has paraded a group of suspects accused of burying alive, a Community Development Committee Chairman of Kereken-Boue in the Khana Local Government Area. The police paraded the suspects during a maiden briefing of the new Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu. Other suspects were also paraded for a variety of crimes, ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder, among others. The new Commissioner of Police warned criminal elements in the state to steer clear or be ready to face the full weight of the law. The traditional ruler of Kereken-boue community, Chief Ezekiel Gara,…
A NIGERIAN Air Force helicopter crashed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Friday morning. NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the development in a statement. He said all those onboard survived though they sustained “minor injuries”. The helicopter with the number NAF MI-35P crashed at exactly 7.45 am shortly after it took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State. “Fortunately, the entire crew of 5 survived the crash with very minor injuries and are currently being attended to at NAF Medical Centre Port Harcourt. “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is currently…
THE Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has flagged off the re-construction of the 18-kilometre Owaza-Uzuaku-144 Battalion-Afam Junction Road in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Owaza, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, assured the people of the Commission’s determination to bring development and hope to Niger Deltans in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Ogbuku who was represented by the Abia State Representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Chief Eruba Dimgba, said that the Commission, as an interventionist agency, was committed to fast-tracking development in the Niger Delta…
THE Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, has advised staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to guard against falling foul of anti-graft laws by keeping abreast of the relevant statutes guiding the conduct of public servants. The ICPC Zonal Commissioner for Rivers and Bayelsa states, Mrs. Ekere Usiere, gave the admonition during a Workforce Sensitisation Exercise organized by the NDDC at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. She commended the NDDC and its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, ACTU, for sponsoring the sensitization exercise under the theme: “Understanding the Offences and Penalties Under the ICPC Act 2000.” Usiere acknowledged the…
AN APPEAL Court sitting in Lagos State on Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Patrick Tonye-Cole, against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The appellate court also dismissed the petition of Accord Party. The APC candidate, who was present in the courtroom on Tuesday, wanted the court to direct INEC to declare him the winner of the March governorship election in Rivers. The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had in October dismissed the petition of Cole challenging…
THE Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says the Commission is working in line with the policy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration which emphasises stakeholders’ engagements in the development process. Speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku, said it was important to involve all stakeholders in driving the Sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. He remarked: “We all face the same challenges in the region and this means that we must all work together…
AFTER months of controversy and uproar, Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, bit the bullet on Monday when he officially declared to run for the 2024 governorship election in the state. In a pre-recorded speech aired today, Shaibu, who has been the deputy governor of the state since 2016, said he would run for the office of the number one in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). After his official declaration, Shaibu launched his campaign office in Benin City, the state capital, at an event crowded with party supporters in branded accoutrements. “After all the…
CHAIRMAN of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, says the new leadership in the Commission will unveil the right vision and set the tone for the management to drive the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. Ebie, who spoke during a facility tour of the NDDC headquarters complex in Port Harcourt, underlined the need for the new Board and Executive Management to take basic steps that would inform the roll out of new strategies to drive the development process in Nigeria’s oil-rich region. Accompanying the Chairman on the facility tour were other…
THE Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has commenced oral interviews for over 1,050 candidates for its Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme. The interview process, spanning over eleven days, is for the candidates that were successful during a Computer-Based Test written by 5,000 applicants earlier this month. Speaking at the venue of the interview in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who was accompanied by the Executive Director Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, the Executive Director Projects, Sir Victor Antai, and the Executive Director Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, said that the guiding principles for the interview were…
THE crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly is far from over as the police again took over the complex on Tuesday. This came as members loyal to both factions allegedly held separate sittings at different locations. Four police patrol vans were sighted at the entrance of the assembly complex, while the movement of people and vehicles along the Moscow Road Axis of the assembly were restricted. Also, an Armoured Personnel Carrier was seen pacing from one end to the other on the road where the complex is located, while scores of armed operatives mounted strategic locations. The reason…
Alabo (Hon.) Boma Iyaye, Esq, DSSRS: Advocate For Youthful Growth IN the sprawling Niger Delta landscape of the Niger Delta, an inspiring figure of steadfast commitment and indefatigable spirit emerges: Alabo (Hon.) Boma Iyaye. The current Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), it has been a lifelong mission to uplift, guide, and provide a nurturing platform and environment for the region’s youth. Deeply embedded in his essence, this mission has painted a remarkable canvas of his journey through public service and the private sector. He was born to the esteemed lineage of Alabo A.…
Chiedu Ebie: The Technocrat And Beacon Of The Niger Delta Region MR Chiedu Ebie, the newly appointed Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is not just a lawyer but a seasoned technocrat who represents transformative leadership for the Niger Delta Region. His vast experience and innate capabilities make him well-equipped to combat the enormous challenges ahead and leave a monumental impact on the development of the Niger Delta Region. He was born into the family of Professor John C. Ebie, a respected psychiatrist, academic, and pioneer Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). This…
THE Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Chinedu Ebie, has stressed the need for collaboration with all stakeholders in driving the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for Nigeria and the Niger Delta region in particular. Speaking during the inauguration of the NDDC Board at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Mr. Ebie said that the Commission would achieve more when there is collaboration and harmony in the development process. He stated: “To maintain focus on our development efforts, the Board will honor and collaborate with critical stakeholders…
NATIONAL Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, says insecurity has reduced across the country since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over power. Ribadu said Tinubu does not make noise over the breakthroughs recorded in the security sector since his assumption of office. Speaking during the ongoing 19th Annual Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, on Thursday, Ribadu said the current administration inherited tough period. He explained that militancy in the Niger Delta and insecurity in the South East has reduced since Tinubu’s administration came on board, adding that it will get better. “Let me start with…
AT least 62 passengers escaped death on Tuesday as an aircraft belonging to Nigerian airline, Value Jet skidded, off the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State. The incident caused panic among the passengers in the oil-rich state after the jet reportedly landed at 3.30 pm the passengers and five flight crew members were on board. The Port Harcourt International Airport is situated in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. “The airline confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the “ValueJet aircraft slipped on taxi turn after landing safely and cleared off the runway at…
AFTER over 48 hours after the Bayelsa governorship election, Governor Douye Diri has clinched a second term in office as the leader of the coastal state. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate fought off his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart Timipre Sylva in a fiercely contested exercise in the oil-rich state. Diri, who came into power in 2020, got a total of 175,196 votes while Sylva polled 110,108 votes. The figures meant the PDP flagbearer beat his closest rival by 65,088 votes. The Labour Party (LP) scored a total of 905 to come a distant third. While 18 candidates vied…
GOVERNOR Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State is leading with over 60,000 votes in the ongoing election. Diri, who is seeking reelection, contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). After the result of Southern Ijaw was declared, the margin between Diri and his closest challenger, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), climbed to 65,088. Diri polled a total of 175,196 votes while Sylva trailed with 110,108 votes. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are putting finishing touches to the exercise at the collation center in Yenagoa, the state capital.