Author: nationalpoint

By Iduozee Paul, BeninA don from the department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Ugbowo Campus, University of Benin, Prof. Gideon Emelue, has called for collective efforts to protect and preserved our environment in order to avoid economic disaster in Nigeria.Prof. Emelue made the call at an event organized by Frontline Energy and Environmental Consultancy in Benin city. He said if we want to protect and preserve our environment from various economic degradation, we must cultivate the habit of planting trees.According to him, what we need now is to start taking action on how we can protect the…

By Constance MejuOil producing communities in the Niger Delta, tired of crying unsuccessfully for attention from governments despite trillions of naira specifically allocated to the area by the federal government, want the federal government to re-route the 13 % derivation fund direct to communities.Ranking state governments very low in the delivery of social amenities to oil and gas communities, respondents to a recent survey findings on usage of the fund in four  Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states, lamented that even though they bear the high impact of oil exploration activities, there is barely evidence…

Cape Verde, Liberia and the Central African Republic will be shown due respect when the race for Qatar 2022 begins, according to Super Eagles goalkeeper coach Alloy Agu.The Ex-Nigeria international and one-time Super Eagles safe hands assured fans that the Gernot Rohr-led side will do everything to ensure Super Eagles qualify for the next World Cup in Qatar.Top of FormBottom of FormSoccernet.ng reported that the three-time African champions have been placed in an easy-looking Group C alongside the trio of the Blue Sharks, the Wild Beasts, and the Lone Stars for the 2022 World Cup Qualifying series.Neither of these teams has ever…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaGovernor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, has expressed sadness over the death of renowned author, publisher and politician, Dr. George Idodo-Umeh.In a statement released by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika in Asaba, Okowa commiserated with the people of Isoko and Olomoro community in particular, over the demise of the renowned politician and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain.He noted that the departed Idodo-Umeh was an elder statesman, grassroots politician and administrator, who excelled as a two-time commissioner in the defunct Bendel State.The governor described the deceased as  a `thoroughbred politician’’ whose love for…

The Boatride to AbiamaOur beloved Prof Robin, just like Canadian botanist, Collin Powell and British linguist, Kay Williamson died and we buried him in the Niger Delta, Ijaw soil. By Royak Decree of His Serene Majesty, Prof TJT Princewill, Amachree XI, the Amayanabo, he was on 18th January, 2020 buried in the sacred island of Abiama, reserved for Kalabari Kings and Royalty. The Royal Decree included that his rites of passage including not often seen masquerades perform daily from seven nights.Like many of the brightest minds ever produced by Oxford University, Alabo (Prof) William Horton , came to Nigeria in…

                                Elder Cyril HarryYears ago, there was a very instructive presentation made by Club 401 Port Harcourt to the Federal Government Technical Committee on the Niger Delta, which was headed by Leedum Mitee. I had the privilege of being part of that work and seeing its relevance to this gathering, I wish to quote from it.They opined inter alia:“In our view sustainable peace in the Niger Delta rests on a tripod with the following legs:Significant step-change in the sense of wellbeing of the common man on the street.Significant step-change in Government presence and,Genuine reconciliation”.On genuine reconciliation they had this to…

By Constance MejuA survey to determine how the 13 percent derivation fund running into billions of naira accrued to Delta State has impacted development in the oil and gas producing areas of the state has revealed deep dissatisfaction of the host communities with services by the government and recommended an immediate statewide needs assessment and a commitment to improve the provision of social amenities to the people.The report titled, ‘Report of Survey on the Use of 13 Per Cent Derivation Fund in Selected Niger Delta States’, conducted by Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center based in Port Harcourt and funded…

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaCourt of Appeal Complex for the Asaba Division would be inaugurated on Feb. 3, 2020.This was disclosed to newsmen by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State after inspecting on-going work at the complex located on Mariam Babangida Way. The governor revealed that finishing touches were being made to ensure that everything is in place before the inauguration.He expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far on the project and stated that the functionality of the court would bring a lot of relief to Deltans who travelled long distances to other states to seek justice.He said,…