Author: nationalpoint

Lagos, Nigeria, May 3, 2020IMS is delighted to join the rest of the world in celebrating the World Press Freedom Day 2020 with the theme: Journalism Without Fear or Favour.We are in a time of great complexity. The global community struggles against COVID-19 which has infected more than three million persons and claimed more than  two hundred thousand lives.Journalism finds itself in a situation where it has to provide information and education to diverse audiences in which there is limited understanding of the nature of this disease and destructive potentials. In many contexts, misinformation and disinformation are competing vigorously for the public space.…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaDelta State commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, has said public and private primary and secondary schools in the state will remain closed till May 30, 2020 as directed by the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.Chief Ukah stated this while reacting to an online publication trending on the social media that he held a meeting where it was agreed that schools would reopen in the state on Monday, May 4, 2020.The commissioner said he did not hold any meeting or authorize the holding of any meeting on reopening of schools in the state.He advised…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaDelta State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old barber identified as ‘Christian’, for defiling a two-year-old toddler in Asaba.The suspect, who hails from Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state, was alleged to have used biscuit to lure the toddler to his apartment where he had carnal knowledge of her. He lives in the same area with the toddler’s guardian.A source, who spoke on account of anonymity, revealed that the aunt, who had the custody of the toddler, discovered the little girl had been defiled when she was bathing her in the evening of the…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaGovernor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has announced the relaxation of the lockdown declared on April 1, 2020, as part of measures to check the spread of COVID-19 in the state.In a broadcast in Asaba, Okowa said the relaxation of the lockdown would become effective on Thursday, and explained that it was to encourage economic activities expected to be carried out from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.He also announced the continuation of the dusk-to-dawn (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.) curfew imposed on April 15, adding that the ban on conferences, sporting activities, gathering of people at event…

In more than two months, our country has been faced with serious challenges of containing the outbreak of the novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) which has become a threat to the human race and has also crippled global economy and more so caused hunger crisis.While we want to continue to support government as active citizens by making viable and valuable recommendations which is needed at this time to move our nation forward, we frown at policy responses which worsen the plight of a people still reeling and coming to grasps with a health pandemic which social and economic cost is staggering.We…

Nigerian Farmers and stakeholders in the agro-sector, have warned that the country is in danger of food shortage as the COVID-19 pandemic hits hard on farmers and the agricultural sector, while stimulus and palliatives to cushion the effects from government remains grossly inadequate.This was contained in a statement made available on Monday and jointly issued by Voices of Food Security (VFS), All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the Association of Small-Scale Agro-Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), Ogbonge Women Farmers’ Association, Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria. (RIFAN).Signed on their behalf by Ms. Bridget…

May 3, 2020, the world marked the World Press Freedom Day, set aside to highlight the role of the press and challenges they face carrying out that role. This special day is meant to be a reminder to governments about their need to commit to a free press and also serves as a day for media professionals to reflect on issues of press freedom, professional ethics and their contribution to societal sustainability.According to the UN, the theme for 2020’s World Press Freedom Day,‘Journalism without Fear or Favour’ is an idea made especially significant during the Covid-19 crisis, as the press…

The Institute for Media and Society, IMS today launched a national Stakeholders’ Conversation on the Media and COVID-19. The launch was announced via a press release. According to the executive director of IMS, Mr. Akin Akingbolu, “the aim of the initiative, which emerged from broad consultations, is to contribute to deepening the delivery of public information and education by the media on COVID-19 in Nigeria”.The Conversation is erected on the foundation that quality and inclusive dialogue is a strong element in the search for solutions to defeat the pandemic.“The Conversation, which runs on an online platform, will focus on the trends…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaGovernor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has announced the relaxation of lockdown declared on April 1, 2020, as part of measures to check the spread of COVID-19 in the state.In a broadcast in Asaba, Okowa said the relaxation of the lockdown would become effective on Thursday, and explained that it was to encourage economic activities expected to be carried out from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.He also announced the continuation of the dusk-to-dawn (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.) curfew imposed on April 15, adding that ban on conferences, sporting activities, gathering of people at event centres and…

By Styvn ObodoekweWorried about the harsh impacts of governor Wike’s lock down of some sections of the state on vulnerable and less privileged people as  away of controlling the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Port Harcourt branch of Oba Progressive Union, OPU, an umbrella body of Obaindigenes, Idemili South LGA of Anambra State who are resident in Rivers State, has distributed some food items to some of their community members residing in rivers state who have been badly impacted by weeks of lock down of businesses in the state.The food items aimed at cushioning the negative impacts of…