Author: nationalpoint

Chapter 1What Does God Expect From A Deacon?“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, it is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the…

By Constance MejuMembers of the association at an eventThe South South Chiefs, Elders and Opinion Leaders Association of Nigeria, a pressure group focused on engendering a poverty-free Niger Delta, will on December 19, 2019, roll out the carpets to beat drums in honour of charitable organizations and individuals who are immensely making effort to empower citizens to overcome poverty in the region.A release by the chairman of the high-power body, High Chief (Dr.) Omubo A. Harry, made available to National Point Newspaper stated that awardees include O.B. Lulu Briggs Foundation, Omega Power Ministry Ministries, Belema Oil Producing Ltd, and Mind…

I called on Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) not to award new clean-up contracts in Ogoni without addressing issues around emergency measures as recommended by UNEP Report 2011 which it skipped to mobilize contractors to site.The emergency measures include construction of contaminated soil management centre, building of a centre of excellence, provision of portable drinking water for the people, audit of the health of the people, addressing livelihood issues especially those related to youths involved in acts of oil theft and artisanal refining, etc. HYPREP had earlier advertised for these measures, received biddings but swept them under the carpet and…

By Lorine EmenikeSome civil society members have called for synergy between oil impacted communities and HYPREP to engender a good and speedy work process of the Ogoni clean-up.Project officer, Energy and Climate Change at Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor in company of representatives of some civil society organizations, HYPREP officials and newsmen, who were on a site visit to some oil impacted communities in Ogoni land currently undergoing remediation processes, said the basis for the site visit is to properly ascertain the level of clean-up/ remediation process work being done by HYPREP.Ebiaridor said the visit has shown that work…

Perhaps, I could sum up courage to drop this about a great friend, brother and comrade. The shock of your death has silenced me so much, my silent weeping, my reflections on how I used to see you most mornings jogging on our road – Eligbolo, sometimes on your way back but lost that scene due to my relocation, but fate still brought us together as we met once in a while at Kisi Trust Meetings.That was not all, the second to last meeting, you surprised me as usual, flagging a taxi to carry both of us, yet you did…

Ripples from the November 16 governorship elections are still being felt across the country and mainly in the small but richly endowed state.The election was not without justifiable serious anxiety over safety of lives and properties as the contest was keenly contested as a battle for supremacy by two heavy weights in the state. It was a contest between Hon Douye Diri the face of incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson against David Lyon, Timipre Sylva’s candidate. Both men have been political rivals around the seat since 2011, though it ended invariably as a Peoples’ Democratic Party versus All Progressives Congress matter.Since…

By Iduozee Paul, BeninThe United Nations Women has disclosed that 70 percent of women and girls are trafficked worldwide.Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) made the disclosure at the launch of UN Women and Government of Italy project on preventing forced migration and trafficking of women and girls in Nigeria.She said in addition to irregular migration, Nigeria also experiences significant trafficking, and women and children constitute the majority of those trafficked to Europe, as well as irregular migrants to other African destinations and the Middle East.“The starting point for our…

By Iduozee Paul, BeninGovernorship aspirant of the Peoples’ Party of Nigeria (PPN) in the forthcoming 2020 Edo State governorship election, Comrade John Darlington Iyoha, has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of not spending security votes which according to him, is close to N600million, on addressing security issues.Iyoha’s made the assertion while addressing party supporters and faithful at Evbuotuvbu area, Benin City. He said crimes are rampant in the state because the governor is not spending the security votes meant to address security challenges in Edo State.He berated politicians who he said, use money to induce the electorate to get their votes…

By Iduozee Paul, BeninFormer governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2016 election in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, says he returned to the All Progressive Congress (APC) to contribute his quota to the advancement of the party.Ize-Iyamu said he was one of the founding fathers of the party and his interest is to make the party gain ground in the state. He described his return as coming back home, explaining that there is nothing wrong with moving from one party to another. He said it is a matter of interest.The former PDP flag-bearer, who, made the…

By Iduozee Paul, BeninA consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) on measles, Dr. Orji Chinonyelu, has disclosed that, globally an estimated 246 children die daily from measles and majority of these children are from Africa with Nigeria contributing a huge proportion.Dr. Orji made the disclosure at a one day sensitization meeting with stakeholders on MCV2 introduction into the routine immunization schedule in Benin city. She said evidence shows that 17,000 cases of measles are recorded yearly with a case fatality rate ranging from 1.9-12.4 per cent.The WHO consultant further revealed:”Administering measles vaccine at the right time has shown to…