Author: Emmanuel Obe

…prioritises infrastructure, education… allocates N40 billion to Assembly projects Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday presented a proposed budget of N1.854 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic growth. Presenting the Appropriation Bill, titled “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” before lawmakers, Fubara said the proposal was designed to build an economically resilient, thriving and prosperous Rivers State through prudent management of public resources. The governor stated that despite recent challenges, his administration had sustained governance and recorded significant progress in…

The Citizens Platform for Political Inclusion (CPPI) has threatened to institute legal proceedings against major political parties over what it described as exorbitant nomination and expression of interest fees, warning that the practice undermines democratic participation. The group also petitioned the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to amend the Electoral Act to regulate nomination fees charged by political parties. According to CPPI, the legal and legislative actions are being undertaken in partnership with the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and the Embassara Foundation. Pre-action notices have been served on the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic…

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a middle-aged man for allegedly stabbing his father, retired Captain David Nwoke, to death at Oro Ekpo Estate, Ada George, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident to our correspondent, saying the suspect is in police custody while investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the killing. A resident of the estate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the tragedy occurred on Saturday after security personnel at the estate gate raised an alarm that a landlord…

Eleme Local Government has unveiled a comprehensive three-point strategy to tackle the persistent electricity crisis in the area, with work set to begin this week on the repair and replacement of damaged power infrastructure that has left several communities in prolonged darkness. The Executive Chairman of the Council, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, announced the plan following an Executive Council meeting where electricity supply was given top priority as part of the administration’s efforts to improve residents’ welfare and stimulate economic development. The strategy, which consists of short, medium and long-term interventions, is expected to address the total blackout affecting communities including…

Nigeria is projecting to produce three million barrels of crude oil by 2030, out of which an indigenous company, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited is projecting to produce one million barrels a day. According to a new report by Wood Mackenzie, a global energy intelligence firm, Renaissance Africa Energy Company has emerged as Africa’s leading independent oil and gas producer, according to a new report by global the energy intelligence firm. The production chart, published in The Edge, ranked Renaissance first among the continent’s top 10 independent oil and gas companies. Wood Mackenzie noted that eight Nigerian firms occupy positions…

The apex social cultural organization of the old Ogoni Division in Rivers State, KAGOTE, has recruited 800 volunteer teachers to augment teaching gaps in public schools in the area. The acronym KAGOTE represents Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme. The recruitment interviews were conducted last month in the four local government areas to recruit volunteers from among retirees, unemployed graduates and trained teachers that have not secured employment. At the end of the exercise, 800 volunteers were shortlisted and assigned to schools near where they reside. National Point gathered that each of the volunteers would be paid a monthly allowance of…

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has upgraded an advertising professional and business executive, Mr. Awolayeofori MacMorrison Harry, to full membership of the council. Mr. Harry described the development as a significant milestone in his professional career and a boost to his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s advertising industry. The upgrade, which was granted by ARCON in Lagos, is expected to enhance his professional standing within the country’s advertising and marketing communications sector. Speaking on the development, the practitioner said the recognition was not merely a personal achievement but a renewed call to promote excellence, integrity, innovation, and professionalism across…

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have called on the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of persons with disabilities to develop a supplementary Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that ensures their inclusion in benefit structures outlined in the current law. The demand was made during a two-day capacity building workshop to strengthen the capacity of PWDs to advocate for their inclusion in the PIA and Disability Laws, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, organized by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD). The workshop with the theme: “Ending barriers against Niger Deltans with Disabilities,” was aimed at promoting equity, justice and inclusive development in…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives that support vulnerable groups across the Niger Delta region. Speaking during a courtesy call by the reigning Miss World Nigeria 2026, Miss Tamunosoye Karibi George, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the Commission believes in partnerships with governments, non-governmental organisations, and development-focused stakeholders. He disclosed that the NDDC would explore avenues for collaboration with the beauty queen’s non-governmental organisation to support programmes that target the less privileged in Niger Delta communities. Ogbuku assured Miss…

Beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 2026/2027 foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are set to travel abroad to commence their respective programmes abroad. At a pre-departure briefing for the 200 beneficiaries, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, urged the scholars to be worthy ambassadors of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria, stressing that the scholarship was a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that would contribute to the region’s development. He therefore charged them to strive for academic excellence, maintain good character, and avoid social vices, particularly drug abuse, while studying abroad. Ogbuku encouraged the scholars to…