Author: nationalpoint

Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1.854 trillion, tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” represents a significant expansion of government spending compared with the 2025 budget. The proposal reflects the administration’s intention to accelerate infrastructure development while increasing investment in education, healthcare and public service delivery. Budget Size The most striking difference between the two fiscal years is the overall budget size. 2025 Adjusted Budget: Approximately N1.49 trillion 2026 Proposed Budget: N1.854 trillion Increase: About N364 billion (24.49%) The increase is driven by anticipated improvements in FAAC allocations, derivation revenue, internally generated revenue (IGR) and capital receipts.…

Residents, Traders, Shop Owners and Commuters within the neighborhood of the old NPA road in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have decried the rising wave of alleged illegal bunkering activities at the vicinity. The respondents, in separate interviews, called on the relevant authorities to come to their rescue. Mr Eshegbe Okonta, a motor spare parts dealer said that though the illicit activities had been going on for a very long time but at a minimal level but took a new twist last month when trucks started flooding the area for the illegal transaction. “Since last month, this…

Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has announced a significant hydrocarbon discovery following successful delivery of the JK-004 exploration well. Renaissance, a consortium of Nigerian energy firms which acquired onshore and shallow water assets hitherto operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria found the new oil and gas deposits in shallow waters, offshore Nigeria in Oil Mining Lease 74. The energy firm said in a statement on Tuesday that preliminary evaluation indicated that the JK-004 well encountered approximately 1,000 feet of hydrocarbon-bearing column across seven reservoirs. According to Renaissance, “Initial log interpretation and fluid analysis confirm excellent reservoir quality and…

The troubling security issues in the last couple of weeks made me send a mail to my Senator. Even without a response from the distinguished Senator, I knew he read it. Days later, the special session on security took place and State Police Act was passed, which for me was a line drawn in the sand to show that Tinubu got one thing right. His floundering presidency had become reactive if not outright notorious in their failure to protect life and limb. Tinubu is inundated with wanton destruction of innocent lives in Zamfara, Kebbi, Borno, Kwara, Benue, Katsina, Kaduna and…

The presentation of the Rivers State 2026 budget by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the House of Assembly last Friday may prove to be one of the most significant political events in the state in nearly three years. More than the proposed ₦1.85 trillion Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development, the occasion symbolised the restoration of cooperation between the executive and the legislature after a prolonged political crisis that had paralysed governance. For the first time since the crisis erupted in October 2023, the governor addressed a largely full House of Assembly in an atmosphere devoid of hostility. The rancour,…

Days of relentless rainfall have triggered widespread flooding across Rivers State, submerging homes, churches and major neighbourhoods, displacing thousands of residents and leaving a trail of destruction, even as affected communities lament the absence of an emergency response from government authorities. The downpour, which intensified from Thursday last week, has inundated several parts of Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Eleme and Oyigbo Local Government Areas, while communities in the flood-prone Orashi region are bracing for what could become an even more severe humanitarian crisis. Residents say floodwaters have forced families to abandon their homes, destroyed household property, disrupted businesses and rendered several…

The Rivers State Ministry of Education has lifted the suspension of Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, Eligbolo, in Obio/Akpor Local Area. The school was closed by government a few months ago after a sleeping pupil was crushed to death by a cupboard that fell on him. The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, said the decision followed a investigation that confirmed that Wisdom Gate International School had met the safety standard requirements and upgraded its facilities as instructed by the Ministry. “Consequently, Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, Eligbolo, is permitted to resume academic activities and is strictly mandated…

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Turner Timinipre Isoun, is dead. According to an obituary announcement by his family, the renowned scholar, scientist and public servant passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The family described Professor Isoun as an outstanding scholar, visionary leader and dedicated public servant whose immense contributions to science, technology, education and national development would be remembered for generations. Professor Isoun was a towering figure in Nigeria’s academic and scientific community. He made history as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, now Rivers State University, where…

The Kalabari Renaissance Foundation has announced that Minama Community in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State will host the 2027 Kalabari New Year Festival. In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Foundation, Mr. Harry Awolayeofori Mcmorrison, and the Secretary, Ibiba Don-Pedro, the organisers said Minama was selected immediately after Elem-Kalabari in recognition of its deep historical connection with the founding fathers of the Kalabari Kingdom. The Foundation said the festival, scheduled to hold on November 16, 2026, would usher in the 2027 Kalabari New Year celebration and is expected to attract a larger turnout due to…

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has stated that the programme’s peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta is yielding positive results, describing the region as the most peaceful in the country. He stated this in his remarks at the opening ceremony for the sixth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation Training” for PAP stakeholders at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, on Monday. The sixth batch is made up of 120 participants. The PAP had, between July and December, 2025, organised five batches of the workshop with over 240 stakeholders trained…