Author: nationalpoint

Press ReleaseNIGER DELTA WOMEN INTERNATIONAL RESOURCE, ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE,NDWIRED CENTRE COMMEMORATES WORLD EARTH DAY, APRIL 22 2020 As the world commemorates Earth Day and the 50th anniversary of the event, we join hands with all of humanity, men, women and children to mark this day, an epochal timeline, set aside to cause humanity to pause, think and take Climate Change Action in line with the 2020 theme,Climate Change Action, a focus on the condition of mother earth, our home.This year, all of humanity is called to focus on action to mitigate the impact of Climate Change, a ravaging state of…

Antonio Guterres – UN Secretary GeneralThe COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency –but it is far more. It is an economic crisis. A social crisis. And a human crisis that is fast becoming a human rights crisis.In February, I launched a Call to Action to put human dignity and the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the core of our work. As I said then, human rights cannot be an afterthought in times of crisis-and we now face the biggest international crisis in generations.Today,  I am releasing a report highlighting how human rights can and must…

By Clifford Christopher SolomonCSOs Coalition holding a press brief on COVID-19 in Port Harcourt, April 21Rivers State Civil Society Coalition on COVID-19 condemned the federal government’s brazen exclusion of the Niger Delta and other southern states from the distribution of palliatives to cushion the harsh effects of the lockdown against the spread of the Coronavirus on citizens.Addressing journalists at on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at a press briefing organized in Port Harcourt, spokesperson of the COVID-19 Civil Society Organizations Coalition, Comrade Karl Chinedu Uchegbu, said:“We recall that the federal government has earmarked many billions of naira, including contributions from non-state…

By Mbah Okemsinachi, YenagoaBayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri has approved the sum of N60 million for the procurement of equipment for the setting up of the state owned laboratory and testing centre for viral infections apart from the Coronavirus disease.The centre which will be established at the Bayelsa Medical University will be inspected and certified by the officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) when ready.Senator Douye Diri disclosed this on Monday, during the flag-off of another round of distribution of the COVID-19 relief items which was witnessed by legislators from the state and national assemblies, local government chairmen and some stakeholders…

By Mbah Okemsinachi, YenagoaThe Bayelsa State Task Force on Covid-19 has said that 140 blood samples sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) approved laboratory in Edo State between March and April, 2020 have all tested negative.The co-chairman of the State Task Force on Covid-19, Dr Inodu Apoku, who disclosed this on Monday, April 20, 2020 during a media briefing in Yenagoa, explained that surveillance is ongoing in the eight local government areas of the state.Apoku, who is also the permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, announced that the state government is working to set up…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaDelta State has recorded the first death from the Coronavirus. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Thursday night (April 15) announced that a patient suspected to have contracted Coronavirus in the state had died.Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Olisa Ifeajika, said in a statement in Asaba that the governor disclosed that the case, the second, after the first confirmed on Tuesday, was awaiting outcome of his test when he passed away.He stated that the deceased had underlying health issues and had visited Lagos in the past two weeks; He disclosed that the patient had severe symptoms and presented himself…

By Otive IgbuzorThe simplest definition of Leadership is the ability to lead others by influence. It is the capacity to influence, inspire, rally, direct, encourage, motivate, induce, move, mobilize, and activate others to pursue a common goal or purpose while maintaining commitment, momentum, confidence and courage. There are different kinds of leadership required for different times. Scholars have pointed out that the period of crisis requires charismatic leadership with a combination of intelligence, purpose, grace under pressure and consideration for followers. Poor leadership can make a crisis situation worse especially if impending threats are ignored, wrong decisions made or impression created in the…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaAs the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll on Deltans, an unidentified advanced man has collapsed and died at the entrance of Igbudu Market (opposite Zenith Bank) by Warri-Sapele Road, Warri.The cause of the death was not immediately known but our correspondent gathered from some sellers and local vigilante men that the man collapsed and died after doing a brief shopping at the entrance of the market.The incident has not been reported to the police by press time but the remains of the fallen old man were neatly covered at the right…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaTo further enforce the Stay-at-Home Order issued by the Delta State Government as a proactive measure to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state, the  chief judge of Delta State, Hon. Justice Marshal Umukoro, has designated and inaugurated some courts to handle cases arising from violations of the Stay-at-Home Order.The special courts include Chief Magistrate Court 1 Asaba which is to hear and determine cases emanating from Delta North Senatorial District, Chief Magistrate Court 1, Ughelli to hear and determine cases emanating from Delta Central Senatorial District and Chief Magistrate Court 1, Warri, to…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaNational Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) and Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BDEC) have come under severe attacks from stakeholders and electricity consumers in Asaba, Delta State.The attack came during the public hearing organized by NERC on the proposed electricity tariff review in Asaba recently.NERC chairman, Prof. James Momoh had tried to convince the electricity consumers of the need for upward review of electricity tariff in NigeriaIn his argument, Prof. Momoh remarked that increase in tariff would translate into better services and improved power supply. He pleaded with stakeholders and consumers present to support the increase for improved service…