Author: nationalpoint

Silas Jonathan, a journalist from Nigeria and Godwin Asediba, a Ghanaian journalist, have been named the winners of the 2025 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling, which was established in 2016 to honour the legacy of the late Michael Elliott, a renowned editor and former chief executive officer of the ONE Campaign, who believed deeply in the power of journalism to drive progress in Africa. The Michael Elliott Award is presented by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in partnership with the ONE Campaign and the Elliott family. It aims to elevate the work of emerging African journalists…

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has commended a directive by the Federal Government instructing all Federal tertiary institutions to publish their budgetary allocations, other financial information and institutional data online, saying the move represents a critical step toward greater transparency and accountability in the education sector and demonstrates a laudable commitment to open governance. The organisation, however, urged the Federal Government to formally extend the directive to all its ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), arguing that “Transparency should not be selective. Making budgetary and other financial information of public institutions accessible to citizens across all sections of the public service is…

The resurgence of cultism and cult related violence in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, has been giving residents sleepless nights and cause for concern. Some inhabitants in the Bayelsa State capital who spoke over the issue urged government and security agencies to redouble efforts to tackle the menace. In recent times, there has been a spike in cult related violence in Yenagoa. The renewed cult activities have claimed at least eight lives and resulted in a dozen of injuries in three separate incidents in Swali, Igbogene and Azikoro axes of the Bayelsa State capital. In Swali which plays host to the…

Of course Nigerians remember NADECO, the National Democratic Coalition formed in 1994 with a common goal of ending Military rule and restoring Nigeria to a democracy. Restoration of Democracy was its key position and all key leaders, activists and politicians who subscribed to this goal were unwavering in this pursuit. They also had the massive support of the people in pursuing this goal with the belief and hope that once this is achieved the country would begin it’s march once again to greatness. May 15 is the anniversary of the formation of NADECO, but can we say that today is…

Ever since President Bola Tinubu unilaterally suspended the democratically elected governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor and all members of the State House of Assembly, the state has been a shadow of itself. Irrespective of the forays of the military in our democratic culture and journey, it bears recalling that Nigeria has been at the forefront of the fight for the enthronement of peace, justice and equity, the world over. A clear testament of Nigeria’s crusade for equity and good governance can be gleaned from Nigeria’s sterling contribution to the dismantling of the Apartheid regime in…

The reading community in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital turned out in full on March 29 at Alliance Francais to honour one of Nigeria’s iconic women, Prof. Dora Akunyili, who made a name fighting fake and adulterated drugs in Nigeria. The occasion was the public reading of I Am Because We Are, a biography of Prof. Akunyili written by her daughter, Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr at the First Quarter August Meeting hosted by Mr. Kingsley Wali, who is also the convener of the Education Champions League. Eme Ekekwe, a professor of political science, who is also the Chairman of the Board…

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has taken delivery of the first batch of equipment for the Ogoni Power Project geared towards providing steady electricity to all parts of Ogoniland. The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibari Zabbey, who disclosed this at the quarterly interactive session with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt, also said HYPREP was initiating the Civic Education and Constructive Engagement Campaign (CECE) aimed at sensitizing the Ogoni people, including youths on the importance of peaceful dialogue, active citizenship, civic responsibilities, and collaborative development efforts. Prof Zabbey maintained that the initiative would help the people, particularly youths, leverage…

Members of the National Association of Seadogs- Pyrates Confraternity (NAS PC) in Bayelsa State have called on State and Federal Governments to formulate policies to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate. The NAS PC and medical practitioners from the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, who spoke during the commemoration of the 2025 World Health Day, pointed out the need by the State and Federal Governments to initiate free antenatal and postnatal care for women. They also called on mothers to take child nutrition and immunization seriously to prevent common maternal/childhood illnesses and reduce maternal and infant mortality. The 2025 World Health…

Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has enlisted 14 professors and 23 research students from various Nigerian universities for the Renaissance Joint Venture sabbatical and internship programmes. Renaissance’s General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, Igo Weli in a statement, said, “Providing practical industry experience opportunity for lecturers and research students is a sure way to strengthen teaching and research capability that will translate into building a pool of industry professionals that can drive Nigeria’s energy ambition beyond the 21st century.” According to the statement issued by Michael Adande, Spokesperson of Renaissance, Weli spoke at the induction ceremony held at the company’s…