Author: Emmanuel Obe

A clergyman based in Ejamah, Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area, Pastor Ersamus Ode, has raised an alarm about threat to his life and that of his family following repeated invasion of his residence and ministry by armed robbers, kidnappers and vandals. In the latest breach of his safety, the pastor said, “It was a very scary moment for my family, I almost lost my daughter due to shock.” He said it had been a series of calculated robbery attacks, kidnapping attempts, vandalism and security threats, which had been going on for a while now. “We have lost properties worth…

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, the Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, has cautioned Christians against accepting fake prophecies and consulting fake prophets for miracles. The bishop, who gave the caution last weekend at the ordination of Rev. Fr. Mark Inedi at Christ the King Church, Imiringi in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, alleged that some church priests parading miracles in the name of God were witch-doctors who stage-manage miracles to deceive unsuspecting members of the public with the intent to exploit them. “I don’t intend to ridicule any pastor or man of God, but pastors and…

Renaissance Africa Energy Company and hosts to its South Swamp Gas Gathering Solution (SSGGS) project have commenced plans to conserve the Apoi Creek Forest Reserves in Bayelsa. Renaissance, a consortium of indigenous firms in March acquired the onshore and shallow waters assets hitherto operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC). At a stakeholders’ engagement on Friday in Yenagoa, Mr Charles Akhideno, Head, Biodiversity at Renaissance noted that the firm would develop a Diversity Action Plan for areas within five kilometres radius of the SSGGS project site near the Apoi Creek Forest Reserves. He said that Renaissance prioritised care…

The Niger Delta Deve-lopment Commission, NDDC, has donated supportive aids and mobility devices to persons living with disabilities in Bayelsa State. Speaking at an awareness programme organised for people with disabilities at the NDDC Bayelsa State office in Yenagoa, the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, urged persons with disabilities to maintain a positive outlook and not feel inferior due to their disabilities. Ogbuku, who was represented by the Director of the Bayelsa State Office, Mr. Godknows Alamiesiegha, acknowledged the importance of encouraging people living with different challenges. He advised, “Life is a privilege, and you should be proud of…

The Yenagoa Division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday adjourned a suit challenging the divestment by Shell UK PLC from onshore and shallow water assets hitherto operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to Oct 22. The suit was filed by King Bubaraye Dakolo, traditional ruler of Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, who is also seeking redress and remediation of cumulative pollution of his domain for 40 years. Ekpetiama community is in the neighbourhood and part of host communities to the Gbarain-Ubie gas plant and Gbarain oilfields. The plaintiff alleged that the divestment by Shell did…

Women cut across the 10 – wards of Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have cried out for help following consistent invasion of their farms by Fulani herdsmen with their cattle. The women who spoke with National Point in Eleme said the cattle were often let loose on their farms by the herdsmen who feed their cassava and maize to the cattle. Apart from the destruction of their crops, they disclosed that several women had been raped and kidnapped by the herdsmen, who have violently taken over their farms. The situation, they told National Point has created hardship in…

President Bola Tinubu’s generous financial rewards to Nigeria’s victorious Super Falcons, who recently clinched their record 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, have ignited a heated debate across the nation. While the gesture was intended to celebrate a much-needed morale boost, critics argue the lavish spending is tone-deaf given Nigeria’s struggling economy and the dire conditions faced by essential workers. The Super Falcons secured their historic WAFCON triumph in a thrilling final against hosts Morocco. After falling behind by two goals in the first half, the Nigerian women’s national team staged a remarkable comeback, leveling the score in…

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) has reiterated its commitment to conducting local government elections on August 30, despite a wave of rejections and legal concerns surrounding its recently unveiled timetable. RISIEC had, on Monday, July 28, hosted its first stakeholders’ meeting since the new board was inaugurated last month. During this meeting at its Aba Road office in Port Harcourt, the commission presented a new election timetable. Dr. Michael Odey, the Chairman of the commission, stated that this new timetable superseded an earlier one set by the dissolved board, previously headed by Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Rtd.), citing…

…calls for urgent intervention from international community, democratic institutions Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has raised the alarm over shrinking civic/democratic space and increasing threat to a free press in Nigeria.In a statement issued on Thursday ahead of it’s public presentation of the 2024 Journalism and Civil Space Status Report, the centre said the civic space in Nigeria was “shrinking and increasingly violent.”The statement, which was titled, “A nation’s voice at the crossroads: An urgent call to defend Nigeria’s civic space and journalism,” was signed by Motunrayo Alaka, the Centre’s Executive Director and chief executive officer.It said, “Core…

A prominent community stakeholder and National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Joseph Obele, has faulted the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to retain ownership of the Port Harcourt Refining Company while preparing to privatise the Warri and Kaduna refineries. In a statement made available to journalists, Dr. Obele described the move as a misguided strategy that contradicts national interest, community development, and economic efficiency. “This is not good news,” he declared. “The decision to exclude Port Harcourt Refinery from privatization is deeply concerning, especially given NNPCL’s…