Author: nationalpoint

We at the Rivers State Civil Society Coalition commend the setting up of the Panel on Police Brutalities in Rivers State by the state government led by Nyesom Wike. We congratulate the panel chairman and members, particularly the CSOs representative in the panel, Comrade Karl Chinedu Uchegbu, zonal chairman of the CLO, the foremost human rights organization in the country.Although we recognize that the task assigned to them is daunting, we are confident that they possess the experience, expertise, and all that it takes to achieve the aims and objectives for which the panel was set up.The panel is a…

We at the South South Zone of the Civil Liberties Organisation, C.LO, are seriously disturbed by the level of carnage allegedly perpetrated by Nigerian soldiers at Obigbo in Rivers State. Scores of citizens were reportedly gunned down while the lucky ones were chased into the bush where they stayed for several days, facing starvation.It is wrong, unacceptable and unjustifiable for a country’s army to be let loose on its people for whatever reason. It is very disturbing that the Obigbo carnage by the military took place few days after the same military was let loose on peaceful protesters at Lekki…

By Styvn Obodoekwe Long awaited judgment on the litigation over oil pollution between four Niger Delta farmers and oil giant, Shell at the Dutch Court has been fixed for December 18.  The date was announced by the president of the Court of Appeal, on October 9 when the appeal case came up for hearing at the Hague. While adjourning the case to December 18 for judgment, the Dutch Appeal Court president specifically requested that counsel to the four Niger Delta farmers be present in the court on the judgment day. The court further affirmed that it has jurisdiction to entertain…

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Thursday, marked the Eid-el-Maulud festival with the Muslim community in the state even as he sued for an indivisible and peaceful Nigeria where all tribes and religions would co-exist in love.Governor Diri, who hosted the adherents of Islam at the Government House in Yenagoa, said with religious tolerance, the country can forge ahead as a people with one destiny to make Nigeria richer and greater.The governor’s spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as expressing delight with the peaceful disposition of the Muslim community in the state.He said Bayelsa is predominantly Christian but his…

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has noted with satisfaction the conduct of the #EndSARS protesters in the state, saying they were peaceful and mature in making their demands.Governor Diri  commended the peaceful disposition of the youths on Wednesday while inaugurating the panels on Judicial Inquiry On Police Brutality and that on Security and Human Rights at the Executive Chambers of the Government House in Yenagoa.He set up both committees last week in response to the demands of the protesters when he addressed them at the Government House penultimate weekend.His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as…

Dr Nabie Nubari is head, Health and Community Development unit, Center for Environment Human Rights and Development, CEHRD, foremost non-governmental organization committed to improved living standard in the Niger Delta. In this interview with National Point’s managing editor Constance Meju, he highlights challenges faced by people in the rural communities in accessing health services. Excerpts:Dr Nabie NubariDoc, how would you describe the state of the health system in the country?Generally speaking, the health system in the country is in a deplorable state that we expect at least an emergency in that area reason being that, the administration is not being…

By Constance Mejuphoto: ng.opera.newsA worried Nigerian elder once advised Nigerian youths not to not to allow anyone steal their future. The occasion was the presentation of award winners for a creative writing competition organized by a Niger Deltan focused non-governmental organization based in Port Harcourt, Moving Earth Foundation.The adviser was the chairman of Moving earth. I have forgotten his name but not his charge. He was speaking at the height of the wave of militancy and the resultant upsurge in cultism in the Niger Delta with the accompanying killings, kidnapping, in the region against which the competition tried to refocus…

By Iduozee Paul, BeninThe Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO), has elected an interim executive members that would Pilot the network and to also put in place modalities towards the emergence of a new executive council.Issuing the release, the former Public Relations Officer of EDOCSO, Leftist Osazee Edigin asserted:” the Extended Executive (TEC), which comprised head of various affiliate organizations and coordinators of study centres have in its enlarged meeting elected two members.”” Who are to pilot the affairs of the network and to also put in place modalities towards the emergence of a new executive council. Those elected were; Comrade…