Author: Hamza Rufai

THE House of Representatives has launched a probe into what it described as rampant and unjustified deductions from the accounts of Nigerian bank customers, summoning the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and leading commercial banks to appear before it for explanations. News Point Nigeria reports that the resolution followed the adoption of a motion raised by Hon. Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara) during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers unanimously condemned what they termed “incessant, arbitrary, and unexplained charges” being imposed on customers despite clear CBN regulations governing bank fees. Shagaya, in his presentation, said the House had been inundated with complaints from…

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday said it would intervene in the dispute between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). News Point Nigeria reports that this followed a motion by lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Sesi Winghan under the All Progressives Congress (APC). The intervention of the leadership of the green chamber is to provide lasting solution to the dispute. On Monday, ASUU commenced a two-week warning strike, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal government to address the union’s lingering demands. This is the first nationwide strike in nearly three…

NIGERIA’s political calendar may be on the verge of a historic shift as the National Assembly has proposed November 2026 as the new date for the 2027 general elections, six months before the end of President Bola Tinubu’s tenure. News Point Nigeria reports that the move, part of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, seeks to ensure that all election petitions and court cases are concluded before May 29, 2027, the date new administrations are expected to be sworn in a reform long demanded by legal experts and civil society groups to protect the sanctity of the electoral process. The…

THE Academy of Management Nigeria (TAMN) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the recent directive from the Federal Government enforcing the “No Work, No Pay” policy across federal universities. In a statement issued on Monday, October 13, 2025, and signed by Professor Samaila Mande, FAMN, President of TAMN made available to News Point Niigeria, the Academy called for urgent, fair, and empathetic dialogue between the government and the university lecturers to avert further disruption of academic activities in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. The Academy, an institution committed to promoting…

THE Birnin-Kudu Old Boys Association (BIKOBA) has joined the government and people of Jigawa State, particularly the state judiciary in mourning the passing of former Kadi of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, Kadi Bashir Birnin-Kudu, describing him as a trailblazer in Islamic legal education and a symbol of integrity in the dispensation of justice. The late jurist, who was also the pioneer Provost of the Jigawa State School of Islamic and Legal Studies, Ringim, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025, after a prolonged illness while receiving treatment at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. In a condolence message…

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted no fewer than 300,000 pills of Exol-5 in Ogun and Kaduna raids, respectively. The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement released on Sunday sent to News Point Nigeria. Babafemi said that operatives of the agency on Wednesday arrested a 29-year-old suspect with 150,000 pills of Exol-5, 800 ampoules of pentazocine injection, and 22,000 capsules of tramadol at New Bussa, in Niger. Similarly, in Kaduna, a suspect, 27, known simply as Farin Malam, was nabbed at the Abuja/Kaduna toll gate while conveying 150,000 pills of Exol-5…

THE Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE), custodians of the Al-Noor Mosque, Wuse 2, Abuja, Dr. Kabir Kabo Usman, has congratulated the Director of Medical Services at Prime University, Abuja, Dr. Mohammed Dada Ibrahim, on his appointment and turbanning as the Galadiman Magani of Katagum Emirate by His Highness, the Emir of Katagum, Bauchi State, Alhaji Umar Farouk II, CON. In a congratulatory message issued on Saturday sent to News Point Nigeria, Dr. Kabir Kabo described the appointment as “a well-deserved recognition of Dr. Mohammed Dada’s exceptional leadership qualities, selfless…

THE Federal Government has instructed tertiary institutions in the country to submit reports of intervention funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETfund) that have not been utilised within the next thirty days. News Point Nigeria reports that addressing heads of tertiary institutions at a meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the ministry has been faced with a dilemma over the issue of allocations that are not being put to good use. He explained that resources that could have been used to develop infrastructure in institutions have remained idle due to avoidable bottlenecks. The minister also…

THE Senate has called on the Federal Government to urgently establish a permanent military base in Kwara South Senatorial District as part of renewed efforts to curb the escalating wave of insecurity ravaging the region. News Point Nigeria reports that the resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Lola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South) during Tuesday’s plenary, titled “Urgent Need to Address the Rising Insecurity in Kwara South Senatorial District.” The lawmakers expressed deep concern over what they described as the alarming level of kidnappings, killings, and violent attacks being carried out by armed bandits, particularly in Ifelodun Local Government Area,…

FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of institutionalizing forgery and deceit in public service, following the resignation of Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, over controversies surrounding his academic credentials. In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday sent to News Point Nigeria, Atiku described Nnaji’s resignation as “a national embarrassment” and a symptom of what he called the “moral collapse” within the Tinubu-led government. The former Vice President, who served from 1999 to 2007, alleged that forgery and falsification of documents had become entrenched in the administration’s leadership culture, claiming…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has sought approval from the House of Representatives to borrow $2.35 billion in external capital to finance part of the 2025 budget deficit and refinance Nigeria’s maturing Eurobonds. Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas sighted by News Point Nigeria, and read on the floor of the green chamber on Tuesday. The President also wants the parliament to approve his plan to issue a $500 million debut sovereign sukuk in the International Capital Market (ICM) to fund infrastructure projects and diversify Nigeria’s sources of financing. According to the…

AFTER a turbulent six months marked by political tension, legal battles, and public scrutiny, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, is set to officially resume plenary duties today (Tuesday) as the Senate reconvenes from its extended recess. News Point Nigeria reports that her lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, confirmed the development in an interview with jpurnalists assuring that his client would “walk back into the Red Chamber” as a duly reinstated senator after fully serving her suspension. “Our client should just go straight and resume on Tuesday. Anything else is merely an opinion. As Femi Falana (SAN) said, the…

THE management of the National Assembly has cautioned aggrieved members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) against embarking on any form of protest or disruption of legislative activities as lawmakers resume plenary on Tuesday after their annual recess. Senators and members of the House of Representatives are set to reconvene following a break that began on July 23, 2025. However, tension has been brewing within the National Assembly complex over threats by some PASAN members to stage a protest in pursuit of their unresolved welfare and constitutional grievances. In a circular issued by the Secretary, Human Resources and…

THE Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Amina Mohammed, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating resilience and responsibility in leadership, saying she has never heard him complain about the challenges he inherited from his predecessor since assuming office. News Point Nigeria reports that Mohammed stated this at a special award dinner held at Nigeria House, New York, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary and celebrate the annual Independence Day Parade and Carnival. According to the UN deputy chief, President Tinubu fought determinedly to become Nigeria’s leader and had made it clear from the onset that he would…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday restated his administration’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity across all religious divides in Nigeria, declaring that his mission is to unite the nation and restore hope to all Nigerians regardless of faith. News Point Nigeria reports that the President gave the assurance while meeting with Christian leaders at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State, shortly after attending the funeral prayers of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, the late mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda. Addressing the clergymen, President Tinubu emphasized that…

THE Armed Forces of Nigeria on Saturday confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers over allegations of indiscipline, misconduct, and violation of service regulations. According to a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau obtained by News Point Nigeria, the arrest followed a routine disciplinary exercise designed to enforce professionalism, loyalty, and order within the ranks. Investigations revealed that the grievances of the arrested officers were linked to repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation, factors which the Army said had fuelled frustration and discontent among the personnel. “The Armed Forces…

THE National Assembly has announced new security measures restricting movement around the office of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This was contained in a memo dated October 2, and signed by the the sergeant-at-arms at the National Assembly, Etido Ekpo sighted by News Point Nigeria. Ekpo stated that the corridor linking the White House lobby to the Senate President’s office will henceforth be reserved exclusively for senators and members of the House of Representatives. He explained that aides and personal assistants will no longer be permitted access to the passage. “You are kindly requested to disseminate this information to distinguished senators…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after a highly successful diplomatic mission representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and concluding strategic engagements in Germany. News Point Nigeria reports that during the week-long international engagement, the Vice President delivered President Tinubu’s national statement calling for comprehensive UN reforms. He also championed Africa’s sovereignty over its $700 billion mineral resources and strengthened strategic partnerships with the United Kingdom, Gates Foundation, and other international stakeholders. Later, VP Shettima met with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and secured his commendation for…

Commend Initiative, Quality Of Work So Far CIVIL society organisations, opposition party figures and key stakeholders in the Nigerian business community have commended the Federal Government on the quality of work being done on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, and the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to infrastructure development/economic growth. The stakeholders, who were impressed by the level and quality of work done so far, spoke to journalists on the sidelines of a tour of the project in Lagos. According to them, Nigerians must rise above politics to support developmental efforts such as the coastal highway project,…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new leaders for three federal agencies, in a move the Presidency says is aimed at strengthening critical institutions and boosting service delivery. The announcement was contained in a statement on Tuesday made available to News Point Nigeria by Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. At the National Biosafety Management Agency, the President appointed Bello Bwari from Niger State as the new Director-General. His tenure, which is for an initial four years, took effect from September 18, 2025,…