Author: nationalpoint

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…

Rev Mother Elemchukwu Ifechikwuru and one of the girls from the orphanageEvery year in Delta State, the Unsung Heroes award is held to honour those contributing in one way or the other, to impact positively in their communities. Usually, the heroes are not the type the media sing praises of but, their contributions to humanity and their immediate environments are unquantifiable hence they are branded ‘Unsung Heroes’.During the last Unsung Heroes Award in Asaba, one of the awardees, Reverend Mother Elechukwu Ifechikwuru caught the attention of National Point.Reverend Mother Elechukwu is based in Okpanam, Asaba Capital Territory where she operates…

Patrick NaagbantonThe transition of Patrick Naagbanton to the fabled great beyond, on Saturday, September 21, 2019, has thrown the human rights community in Nigeria and beyond into serious confusion, sorrow, lamentations and endless tears. And where there is death, there is heaviness of heart and outpouring of stories about the life and times of the deceased.Welcome to a season of heavy hearts and story-telling, with Patrick Barigbalo Naagbanton as the focal point. Since the sad and devastating news was broken, stories, in form of tributes and lamentations have been flowing endlessly; stories of his fearlessness, boldness and courage; stories of…

Palm oil, a product of palm fruits predominantly cultivated in the eastern part of Nigeria, serves both domestic and industrial uses. Domestically, every household consumes palm oil in different quantities and forms, as it is a significant ingredient in almost every cooking and it is nutritious, medicinal and rich in vitamins.It is also a good anti-dote for treating ailments in addition to having antibiotic components. And when combined with some herbs, palm oil provides wonderful solutions for some health challenges. It also has high viscosity and reacts to temperature ; mixes and colours food properly with its background taste and…

The journey home in earnest: Pall bearers begin the rites in BodoThe gut wrenching sound of women weeping in Bodo city, as the long convoy of vehicles that accompanied the hearse carrying Patrick’s remains entered the community, stamped themselves in the subconcious of the friends, colleagues and loved ones of Patrick Naagbanton. As the convoy made the turn into the road leading to the Bodo Community Girls School, tears of pain burst loose, visitor and community persons mingling in a flood of shared loss and sorrow. Men and women who had held back teary pain for weeks since September 21,2019…