Author: nationalpoint

By Chief Constance MejuThe UN Nations recognizes the right to education as basic for setting humans on the road towards empowerment and this right has been accepted by governments as necessary hence the emphasis on at least basic education for all. Wikipedia defines education as, ‘‘the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits”. This can come through teaching, training, storytelling, discussion, guidance, reading and directed research. Education is usual through an educator , a guide but sometimes, learners also educate themselves.The state of education in Nigeria and indeed in Africa has been a…

The National Assembly on Tuesday, granted full financial and administrative autonomy to all the 774 local council authorities across Nigeria by amending section 124 of the nation’s constitution.The section provides a consequential provision for the making of the local councils, a full third tier government without undue interference from the state governments.The amendment was one of the 22 others approved by the House of Representatives last week and ratified by the Senate on Tuesday.Both chambers had through a conference committee harmonised versions of the amendments into the constitution carried out by each of them last month.By the development, the National…

The Supreme Court of Nigeria in a five man panel headed by Justice Olubolade Joe in a unanimous judgement finally put to rest as it Barred state governors from having the power to sack elected local government chairmen and councilors henchforth. Other areas of the ruling that took place yesterday 11th Dec 2019 includes:1. No state Governor will henchforth have the powers to sack dully elected local government chairmen and the appointment of caretaker chairmen is also barred .2. The act giving legislative powers to state Assembly members to under a process of sacking elected local government chairmen is NULLED…

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has rejected the newly introduced marriage certificate law by the federal government.The Buhari led Government had, through the Ministry of Interior, recently announced a compulsory N30,000 charge licence for Christian worship centres for the conduct of statutory marriages in churches and N21,000 for each marriage certificate.The PFN described the policy as exploitative and an attempt to commercialize Christian marriages in the country.The National President of PFN Rev.(Dr.) Felix Omobude, in a statement he personally signed yesterday in Benin and made available to journalist, chided the Buhari led administration and the Ministry of Interior for…

CDD PRESS STATEMENTDecember 10, 2019FCT, AbujaFor immediate release Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has carefully followed the debate on the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019 (SB 132), popularly known as the Social Media Bill. This provocative legislation, which has passed a second reading in the Senate, is an attempt to use the legislative process to muzzle freedom of expression. The bill purports to tackle the increasing problem of false information in Nigeria. However, a number of draconian provisions in the bill empower the Nigerian government to unilaterally shutdown social media and possibly the internet for posts they…

In the fast paced reality of the post, post modern world of the 21st century, human attachments are usually fluid and commitments to the larger cause including community, very elastic. Yet, some persons spend valuable time working to build goodwill support their kindred in diverse ways in the far away places they now call home. Pa Aliyi Ekineh, a lawyerand active member of the Ijaw Community in the UK, is a sparking embodiment of love for his Ijaw people, supportive of the individual and groups, deeply aware of his cultural roots as well as an irrepressible advocate for Ijaw and…

By Fynye Richard Ekwe EkinehFlorence CheakleyMummy, you would have been ninety five this year. Ninety five years, what a blessing of life, and we band of friends and family are here today to mourn you, but we are also here because we want to celebrate your long and wonderful life.Almost a century ago and before she became my mother, Florence Cheakley was born in Manchester.Her father was from Lancashire and her mother was from Yorkshire. What a combination, she was the youngest of three extraordinarily adventurous girls, Aunty Hedy and Aunty Gladys, known collectively in our family as “the Cheakleys”.…

MAP Scheme is fraudulent and the actors (NERC, FG, DisCos, MAPs) are well aware of the “desperate situations” the Nigerian electricity supply consumers found themselves. These desperate situations were created by these gangs.Every electricity supply consumer needs meter, to pay for what’s consumed, and it’s a global practice. But in Nig, it’s a different practice. FG/NERC allowed and supported the DisCos to run on estimated billing even after signing a contractual agreement on metering plan for all. May be NERC needs to inform Nigerians of any clause in the agreement where it was stated that consumers are to pay for…

“Biography is highly recommended for the reason that the study of the lives, times, experience, trials, triumphs, failure and successes of great men and women should provide us inspiration that we ourselves can achieve greatness”Prof. Scott Pegg eulogises PatrickIn my earlier tribute published in the last edition and online as well as in local and international media, I described Patrick Naagbanton as a positive tornado. May I express my appreciation to National Point Newspaper a paper that you were once the editor-at large for publishing that article in soft and hard copies. But apart from being a positive tornado personality,…

Patrick NaagbantonBIRTH:Late Comrade Patrick Barigbalo Naagbanton was born on 25th August, 1970 into the family of Late Mr and Mrs. Naagbanton Naleeba of GaGberedodoo dynasty. His mother, Mrs. Theresa Lekie Naagbanton (Nee Baraol) is from Ga Ben dynasty, both parents are from Bodo City in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.The father, Late Naagbanton Naaleeba married Patrick’s mother as his second wife. Patrick lost his father at a tender age; he was about two years old. Patrick, together with three other children left behind by the mother’s first daughter, Mrs. Nennaa Naakuu who died later, were in the care…