Author: nationalpoint

An event like this creates an opportunity for all present to reflect on the future of the Niger Delta people and that of their unborn children, reason being that the environment which is simply put here as our mother is our surrounding and whatever we individually and collectively put into it is what we will receive or get back. Having stated this l ask that we stop a moment and ask ourselves what and how have we contributed to the state of the Niger Delta Environment and by extension that of the globe.There is a plethora of literature on Niger…

During ministration at Glorious Covenant Church, Port HarcourtObi Michael, CM/Music Director

By Constance Meju with pictures from Gift JonahThe quest for environmental justice by Niger Delta women gathered momentum December 17 as women from all parts of the Niger Delta gathered in Uyo, AkwaIbom State to tell the world how they feel about the continued despoiling of their land and waterways from decades of oil and gas exploration.The one-day event which brought together grass-root women, elite and decision makers, had as its theme, “Building Resilience For Climate Action” under the now three-year old Niger Delta Women’s Day of Action for Environmental Justice’.Welcoming delegates to the event, executive director of Kebetkache Women…

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”.…