Author: nationalpoint

Scene from recent oil spill, November, 2019Continued efforts by Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, SPDC, Nigeria’s giant multinational oil prospector, to easily brush off negative impacts of its activities in Niger Delta communities met strong resistance in Obelle Community in Rivers State. For 20 years, the community repeatedly tried to make the oil company acknowledge its errors and provide some form of compensation to the people following the destruction of parts of their land as a result of a fire that erupted in a Shell facility there in 1998.The dogged refusal to let Shell escape justice by a committed socio-cultural…

Life truly has its ways, its rhythm and reason. In 2006, an incident that tested my will and inner strength as a person, journalist and activist occurred. By the time the incident ran its course, I learnt how powerful and impactful we can be walking through life’s rough paths with like minded people. At the centre of the event and its denouement, were two powerful brothers and friends I met as members of civil society, Patrick Naagbanton and Uche Wisdom Durueke.Thursday July 20, 2006 was a day of frenetic activity. I was in Port Harcourt in frantic preparation to travel…

By: Austin Tam-George One of the unintended ironies of the Coronavirus pandemic is that although it brings great suffering and death, it also presents an incredible opportunity to reimagine the world we live in, and to build a better future.In Rivers State, we can not afford to miss the opportunity that this crisis presents.As our forbears did after the Civil War, we have a chance to think and work together to recreate our State, from the emotional and psychological debris of this pandemic.But this means that we must think critically and keep an open mind.It means that our response to…

By Ibiba DonPedroEngr. David Rogers IrimaghaChairman Bonny LGANnimmo BasseyDirector, HOMEFIncensed locals in Bonny Island troubled about the reported unexplained deaths of about a dozen community persons in the past two weeks, are said to be further enraged over fresh developments in the usually calm seaside town. Their rage is said to be fueled by a statement by their local Government officials posted on Facebook, which debunked the widespread stories about unexplained deaths in the town. Secretary to the Local Government Area, Wariopusenibo Omoni LongJohn had declared that following an investigative visit to health care facilities, including government and private hospitals…

– By Dr. 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…

The rampaging Coronavirus which has taken world center stage since it struck in Wahun, China in December 2019 took many by surprise and has put the medical world and governments on a long stretch of pressure that has challenged even the most modern. With the flame of consumption leaping through the world, Africa almost the last continent hit by the now pandemic virus, was projected to be its worst killer zone but by a fluke of circumstance, the expected projections of at least 300,000 deaths has failed. We are yet circling the below 2000 death zone while others like Europe,…

Chief Ibanga Bassey EtangRivers State citizens are expressing serious concerns over the sequential deaths of top government functionaries in the state in recent times, especially those manning key financial seats.Within a spate of two weeks, the state has lost key officials in the Ministry of Finance. First, it was the acting State Accountant General, Mr Francis Amaewhule who died from coronavirus related issues and while the dust over his death was yet to settle, news came that a director in charge of the Treasury had died following a brief illness. It was even rumoured that five officials in the establishment…

Chief Odiari PrincewillAs the new normal, COVID-19 continues to spread its wings in the country, mortuaries are overflowing with dead bodies as relatives continue to wait for an end to the pandemic and the accompanying bans and lockdowns.Mortuary operators and some state governments are calling on relatives with bodies in the morgue to claim and bury them to free the morgues as new deaths are not finding spaces anymore. Not all have complied and as a result, fresh bodies are no longer being accommodated due to lack of space.A survey of mortuaries in Port Harcourt revealed that even the Ashes…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaA makeshift market at Ugwuatakpo Primary School Ibusa,Oshimili North LGA, Delta StateThe most talked about issue today globally is the COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic that has brought the world to its knees.The virus, which was first detected in Wuhan city in China last year, has claimed tens of thousands of lives globally and unfortunately deployment of arsenals of war against the pandemic is useless otherwise, the likes of Russia, USA, and China etc would not be so worked up as it stands today.The incidence of the coronavirus spread is alarming and has hit the four corners of…

By Mbah Okemsinachi, YenagoaHomes levelled by Nigerian soldiers. Photos: Mbah Okemsinachi, YenagoaMonths after the February 17,2020 invasion and complete burning down of their community by men said to be soldiers of the Nigerian military, the people of Letugbene are left to bear their harsh burden alone. No one has accepted responsibility for the destruction and loss. Neither has anyone offered succour to these people who have joined a growing list of communities destroyed by the Nigerian military. A community member Chief Humphrey Fazei spoke with National Point, reporter during a recent visit.“It was around 5.30pm, they called me again. They…