Author: nationalpoint

By Chiemeka GreenBarr. Dortimi Kester Tawari Speaks at the SummitThe 2021 Forum for Ethnic Nationalities of Niger Delta (FENND) was indeed a convergence of intellectuals, activists, traditional rulers, political leaders, captains of industries and stakeholders in the struggle for the emancipation of the Niger Delta region coming together to deliberate on the injustice melted on the oil producing communities by the federal government and the multinational oil companies operating in the region.The summit which featured panel discussions and syndicate sessions also availed the leaders of the various ethnic nationalities in the region the opportunity to holistically look at the Petroleum…

The Shell divestment plans have made topical headlines in recent times with arguments for and against the plan depending on the divide the protagonist belongs.However, except we understand the real motives or reasons behind the divestment mantra, we may not be able to make a conclusion that will be beneficial to majority stakeholders especially, the victims of many years of negative extractive operations of Shell and the rest extractive companies in general.It is no longer news that Royal Dutch Shell has launched a major divestment of its Nigerian assets, especially those in the shallow water and onshore while still retaining…

The release last week by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and supervising Minister of the beleaguered Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Senator Godswill Akpabio of the much awaited report of the Forensic Audit presented no surprises to discerning observers of developments in the oil rich Niger Delta. Many who have followed with consternation, the reduction of the agency from a dream driver of human and infrastructural development in the Niger Delta at inception in 2001,to an instrument of sleaze twisted to provide slush funds to fund the hedonistic lifestyles of its operators and political ambitions of powerful politicians of…

HRM Queen Josephine Diete-Spiff and HRH Dr Christy Iwezor display their award certificates

As the federal government begins to push for resumption of oil production in Ogoniland, there is a huge cry of betrayal by the government and resistant from many quarters.The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, the umbrella pressure group for Ogonis born out of the struggle against environmental injustice suffered by Ogonis from decades of the activities of Shell in the area has sent warnings to the federal government to halt any move to resume oil production while the issues that stopped Shell from operating decades ago are still unattended to. It declared the federal government an enemy of…

Africa though abundantly blessed with natural mineral resources and human resources, have become a burden to peace with so many parts at war.Nigeria alone, is facing serious insurgency from varied quarters with little success by government in tackling them while citizens face daily danger through outright attacks resulting in deaths, abductions or destruction of both community structures and government facilities.  According to The Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), a project of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Africa program, documents and maps, violence in Nigeria is motivated by political, economic, or social grievances. Different groups in Nigeria resort to violence. “The militant…

By Chim Ogwutum       A Christian cleric once said that death is the narrow gate everyone will pass through to meet God. Though a natural phenomenon, death of the young evokes pains, sorrow and tears but death a ripe age is termed glorious and thus, celebrated. So, it was on Saturday, September4, 2021, at Okerewa Community in Aleto, Eleme Kingdom, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, as innumerable persons from all walks of life, including traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, politicians as well as in-laws gathered to celebrate the heavenly call of Late Mama Violet Aaron Nwokenta, mother of Her Majesty, …

By Constance MejuA dialogue across generations tagged “Deepening  A Culture of Peace and Democracy Through Education,” has declared the school curriculum in use in Nigeria, obsolete and in urgent and dire need to be reviewed for relevance with current global realities.The dialogue which held at the Sacred Heart Seminary, Rumuibekwe, Port Harcourt Saturday September 4, 2021, is a UNESCO MGIEP’s  programme designed to interface between youths and policy makers on issues that affect education and their future.The youth on the dialogue panel listed issues requiring attention as improvement in the education system, sincerity on the government part about youth inclusion…

(Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo (2nd right) consoling the family of HRH. Alabo (Dr.) Ombo Clinton Odibo Tom Big Harry, Odibo VI, Omubo VIII, during the funeral service at St. John’s Parish, Obuama in Degema LGA.With her are his first wife, Deaconess Ime Ombo Harry (3rdl left), Mrs Abiliba Ombo Harry, second wlfe, (left) and others on August 28,  2021.  Rivers State deputy governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has described the late Alabo (Dr) Ombo Clinton Odibo Tom Big Harry as a very patriotic Nigerian and an illustrious son of Rivers State who contributed much to the development of Nigeria and Obuama, his…

The attention of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has been drawn to series of meetings between the temporary coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Philip Shekwolo and one Prince Biira, posing as representing MOSOP, in an attempt to defraud the Ogoni people. MOSOP can confirm that HYPREP and Prof. Shekwolo are funding division in MOSOP and by extension in Ogoniland, ignoring the court judgment on the 4th of May 2020 that nullified everything that Prince Biira stands for. MOSOP is advising Prof. Shekwolo to stop further destabilization of Ogoniland by illegally sharing the Ogoni clean-up money with Shell…