Author: Farouk Abbas

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has denied reports that it is selling scrap materials, equipment, or components from its refineries to individuals and private companies. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Friday, titled ‘Fraudulent Claims on Sale of Refinery Scrap and Equipment’ issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, in Abuja, described the circulating reports as misleading and false. “The Company wishes to categorically state that this information is untrue. NNPC Limited has not issued any request for bids, tenders, expressions of interest, or approvals for the sale of scrap materials, refinery components,…

FORMER Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has declared his intention to contest the Katsina North Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections, even as he continues to stand trial over alleged corruption charges. News Point Nigeria reports that Sirika made the announcement on Friday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Katsina, where he disclosed that his decision to rejoin the race was influenced by persistent appeals from his supporters. According to the former minister, his focus, if elected, would be on improving the living conditions of people across the senatorial district. Sirika is no stranger to legislative…

THE Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has conferred its prestigious Fellowship on the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., in recognition of his contributions to strategic communication, leadership, and national development. This was disclosed in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Abdullahi Mohammed, who noted that the honour reflects Goronyo’s sustained efforts in promoting transparency, strengthening government–citizen engagement, and institutionalising effective communication in public service delivery. The Fellowship, conferred on Thursday, April 23, 2026, is one of the highest distinctions of the Institute, reserved…

THE Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a sweeping increase in peculiar allowances and other welfare benefits for civil servants, in a move aimed at improving take-home pay and boosting morale across the public service. News Point Nigeria reports that the announcement was made on Friday by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, during a press briefing in Abuja, where she outlined key reforms endorsed by the Federal Executive Council. According to Walson-Jack, the review affects workers under both the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure…

A HIGHCourt in Lokoja has awarded N1billion in damages against Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a defamation suit filed by former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello. The order is contained in the Certified True Copy of the judgement, dated April 23 on Friday in Lokoja. The court held that based on the preponderance of evidence or balance of probabilities, judgment was entered in favour of the claimant. Justice Justice A. S. Ibrahim, while delivering his judgement in the suit marked, “HCL/16/2023”, held that upon the conclusion of the suit, the two issues formulated for determination were resolved in favour of the claimant.…

THE Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the European Union (EU) across critical sectors, including trade, security, education, and technology, as part of efforts to address emerging global challenges and promote sustainable development. According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Magnus Eze, the position was conveyed in the minister’s remarks at the 4th Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Lecture. Odumegwu-Ojukwu made the remarks during the event where the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, delivered a guest…

TWELVE of the 416 victims abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, have escaped, leaving 404 others still in captivity. News Point Nigeria reports that the development comes shortly after the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum issued by the terrorists to both the state and federal governments, during which they threatened to hold the captives indefinitely. The insurgents had also warned that any attempt by government forces to rescue the victims through military action would be resisted, adding that the captives would be moved to different locations. However, a source from Pulka…

THE Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday, disclosed key Federal Government interventions aimed at reducing the financial pressure on airlines following rising concerns over the cost of Jet A1 fuel and the threat of service disruptions in the aviation sector. News Point Nigeria reports that Minister made the disclosure after hours of meeting with a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, airline operators, and oil marketers, among other stakeholders. The meeting was convened in response to the sharp increase in aviation fuel prices, which operators say has become unsustainable. Keyamo stated that President Bola…

A POLITICAL pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Emerging Progressives Leaders’ Forum (EPLF), has praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for what it described as a bold and strategic move in selecting Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor. Garo, who previously served as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Kano State, was described by the group as a seasoned administrator with a deep understanding of governance and party structure. In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Hafiz Idris, the forum said the appointment reflects a firm grasp of Kano’s political realities and the need for experienced leadership…

A TOTAL sum of ₦2.036 trillion, being the March 2026 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared among the Federal Government, states, and local governments. News Point Nigeria reports that the revenue was shared at the April 2026 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja, according to a statement from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation on Wednesday. The ₦2.036 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of ₦1.320 trillion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of ₦515.391 billion, and an augmentation of ₦200 billion. “A communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC)…

THE Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Wednesday reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, challenging the jurisdiction of courts to interfere in the internal affairs of the party. News Point Nigeria reports that a five-member panel of the court, led by Justice Garba Mohammed, announced the decision shortly after counsel to all parties adopted their respective briefs of argument for and against the appeal. Arguing on behalf of Mark, senior advocate Jibrin Okutepa urged the apex court to allow the appeal. He contended that the issue had already been…

JUSTICE Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court has adjourned the bail application of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the first week of June 2026. News Point Nigeria reports that El-Rufai is currently facing arraignment on multiple charges bordering on alleged financial crimes and abuse of office, brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). According to the commission, another charge marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26 has also been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule (LEDA). “The charges in the State High…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Fatima Suleiman Zuntu as the new Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA). The appointment, which took effect from April 16, is for an initial tenure of four years and is in line with Section 5 of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015. A statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Monday in Abuja by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), and signed by its Head of Information and Public Relations, Chris Ugwuegbulam, said Dr Zuntu brings extensive experience to…

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, setting in motion a tightly packed sequence of internal processes that will culminate in party primaries for various elective positions in May 2026. News Point Nigeria reports that the party also fixed its presidential primaries for May 15 and 16, 2026, as part of the broader schedule. The timetable, signed by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, outlines detailed timelines covering the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms, screening of aspirants, publication of results, appeals, and the conduct of…

THE Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adedayo Oketola, has disclosed that a purported X (formerly Twitter) account linked to the Commission’s Chairman, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, is fake and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Monday in Abuja, Oketola revealed that a comprehensive, multi-layered forensic investigation conducted by independent cybersecurity experts had conclusively established that the INEC Chairman does not operate any personal X account. He explained that the Commission, in its commitment to uncovering the truth, engaged an independent forensic…

THE Supreme Court of Nigeria on Monday adjourned the hearing of the Kano Emirate dispute to April 17, 2027, following procedural developments that stalled proceedings. News Point Nigeria reports that Justice Adamu Jauro, who presided over the matter, granted the adjournment after the case could not proceed as earlier scheduled. The suit, which had been slated for hearing on Monday, was deferred due to a motion filed by counsel to one of the defendants on April 14 and subsequently served on the appellant’s counsel on April 15, 2026. In line with court rules, the appellant is entitled to a two-week…

THE Federal Government has earmarked N1.371 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the prosecution of Boko Haram, terrorism, and related cases under the Federal Ministry of Justice, marking a significant increase from the N530 million approved for similar cases in 2025. Findings by News Point Nigeria show that the 2026 provision was drawn from the Appropriation Bill (Details), as the Budget Office of the Federation had yet to release the full breakdown of the 2026 budget recently signed into law by Bola Tinubu. The President, on Friday, assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, approving a total budget of N68.32…

PUBLIC primary and secondary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are set to begin an indefinite strike on Monday, following a directive issued by the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers. The directive was contained in a communiqué released after an emergency meeting held in Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Friday. The communiqué was jointly signed by the state chairman, Abdullahi Shafa; the state secretary, Margaret Jethro; and the state publicity secretary, Ibukun Adekeye. In the communique obtained by News Point Nigeria, the union directed all teachers to withdraw their services and await further instructions.…

THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released the results of candidates who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18. In a Sunday statement sent to News Point Nigeria by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the board disclosed that a total of 1,264,940 results from the two days have been made available for candidates to check. The results of candidates who sat the examination on Friday, 17 April and Saturday, 18 April 2026 have now been released. A total of 1,264,940 results from these two days are available for candidates to check/view,”…

OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted cocaine concealed in food flasks bound for the United Kingdom. The agency disclosed that 12 large parcels of cocaine weighing 2.80 kilograms were discovered hidden in the false bottom of food flasks at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. The illicit consignment was scheduled for shipment via a Virgin Atlantic flight to the UK. According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, the interception took place on April 9, 2026, leading to…