Author: nationalpoint

COMMUNIQUEAn array of energy experts, government representatives, host community members, and other stakeholders, including celebrities from oil-producing communities gathered in Lagos to deliberate on pathways for more sustainable community engagement processes in Nigeria’s extractive industries during the 8th Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) Conference, with the theme, ‘COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: A PANACEA FOR PEACE IN EXTRACTIVE OPERATIONS’.The extractive industries, which include the oil and gas and mining industries, have been plagued by challenges stemming from conflicts with host communities. It is believed that poor and unsustainable community engagement processes lie at the foundation of these conflicts that have led to…

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari addresses the nation on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Abuja, Nigeria March 29, 2020. Nigeria Presidency/Handout/ReutersNigeria’s elites would seem to be already disproportionately affected by the coronavirus. As of April 2, there are reported 184 cases of the virus in the country. This includes 162 active, 20 recovered, and 2 dead. These are still early days for the disease in Nigeria. But, of the relatively small number of cases in Nigeria, one is Abba Kyari, President Muhammadu Buhari’s chief of staff, four are state governors, and one is the son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.…

Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast National Soccer Team, left, with Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon National Soccer team reacts during a meeting before a training session in St-Gratien, outside Paris, France. Friday, May 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)As medical experts try to find a cure to the Coronavirus pandemic, DR Congo will take part in trials of vaccines against the disease even as Africa is erupting in condemnation of the continent being considered as test ground.This decision comes after former footballers, Samuel Eto’o, Demba Ba and Didier Drogba blasted medical experts who suggested that Africa should be the testing ground for vaccines…

In line with the decision of Rivers State government to provide palliatives to cushion the hardship occasioned by the lock down currently observed in the state,  as a result of the outbreak of covid-19,  the governor of Rivers State,  His Excellency,  NyesomEzenwoWike,  has  set up a committee to work out modalities for the smooth implementation of the program.This committee reflects all interest groups.Members of the committee are as follows :1.Ambassador Desmond Akawor (Chairman)2.Mrs InimeAgumaDrBariere Thomas4.Chief David Briggs5.Mrs Florence AmiesimakaMrs Stella IchenwoMrs Anthonia KpakolHon. Edison EhieMr Samuel NwanosikeHon Hope IkirikoMr Latteh LooloACP Innocent Umerie (Representative of Nigeria Police Force)Hassan Yahaya (DSS)Lt…

Statement by  Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN WomenWith 90 countries in lockdown, four billion people are now sheltering at home from the global contagion of COVID-19. It’s a protective measure, but it brings another deadly danger. We see a shadow pandemic growing, of violence against women.As more countries report infection and lockdown, more domestic violence helplines and shelters across the world are reporting rising calls for help. In Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom (1), and the United States (2), government authorities, women’s rights activists and civil society partners have flagged increasing reports of domestic violence during…

The biggest conspiracy against the growth and dominance of Africa and Africans is not the work of Bill Gates, Monsanto, 5G, the Coronavirus or imperialists or colonialists. It is not Donald Trump. It is not China, it is not Boris Johnson or Queen Elizabeth. It is not a right wing conspiracy, or a left wing conspiracy, neither is it a grand plan of Israel or even the Middle East.Africa’s biggest problem is its leadership.No world leader, or richest man in the world will suffer through vaccines or killing many of his own people or use electromagnetic waves to kill us.…

The New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society (NHVMAS) will like to make a public call to researchers who are designing and implementing COVID-19 related research, and ethics committee members in Nigeria who are reviewing COVID-19 related research, to adhere to research ethics guidelines for the conduct of research in Nigeria.NHVMAS is aware that the SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19 is new and causing a highly transmittable infection with significant public health risk.NHVMAS is also aware that research will need to be conducted during this pandemic to help understand the epidemiology, prevention, treatment and best care for those with COVID-19.NHVMAS recognizes…

By Ibiba DonPedroAs the Coronavirus19 continues its ravaging sweep through countries, cities, communities and across continents taking lives, humbling economies, the airwaves are thick with choking narratives about what 21st century’s first pandemic is or is not.In an age of humanity linked by ubiquitous telecommunications,social media and news at the speed of pressed phone buttons, an atmosphere of fear rules, as graphic images of hundreds dropping ill and dying on the streets of originating coronavirus 19 city Wuhan, China.  The terror spreads.In Nigeria as in much of Africa, Asia, South America and Europe before now remote villages, news about the…

Large scale condemnation of the untamed utterances of a Nigerian soldier threatening via a video posting that went viral has led to his being tracked and arrested by the Nigerian Army authorities.Social media was enraged by the soldiers public display of utter disrespect for womanhood promising to rape Delta State women and their daughters and spread HIV to them for allegedly killing a soldier in Warri over the on-going Coronavirus lockdown in the state.Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the Delta State governor had in an address in a quick reaction to the wide call for apprehension of the soldier captured with a…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaThe Delta State Ministry of Environment has commenced the fumigation of some major markets and public places across the state.The exercise which is at the instance of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, is part of proactive measures towards curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.The fumigation which started with the popular Ogbe-Ogonogo Market in Asaba the state capital, according to the Commissioner of Environment Hon. Christian Onogba, will be replicated in all the major markets in the state.The commissioner while speaking to the press on the exercise said the government of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is a government that believed…