Author: nationalpoint

It gives me great pleasure to be here today at the opening of the 19th All Nigeria Editors Conference, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The Nigerian Guild of Editors is a body of the elite in the journalism profession and I feel honoured to be in the midst of this great corps of professionals who play an enviable role in shaping public opinion. I salute the founding fathers of the professional body, led by the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, a revered journalist, who in 1961, thought it wise, to birth this prestigious…

An expert on Nigeria’s maritime and shipping industry, Engr. Greg U. Ogbeifun has lamented the several challenges hindering the progress of the sector. Ogbeifun listed insecurity, lack of trained staff and certified bluecollar port Workers and lack of developed steel industry as the major challenges. According to Engr. Ogbeifun, who is the Chairman Benin City River Port (BRP) Project Office of the Governor, other challenges are environmental and safety concerns, bureaucratic bottlenecks, inefficient ports, non-existent Nigerian Fleet trading globally and difficulty in accessing development funds. Engr. Greg Ogbeifun listed these in a keynote lecture at the Maritime Law Association, 2023,…

What exactly does Governor Nyesom Wike mean when he brags often about a certain “Ikwerre governorship” in Rivers State? Rivers State belongs to the Ogoni, the Ikwerre, Ijaw, the Etche, and many other communities bound together by a long and triumphant history in 1967. The diverse cultural and ethnic tapestry of the state was always understood as a blessing, not a curse. This is why for 52 years, the people of the State have developed a proud and collective persona as “Rivers people.” But rather than conduct himself as the governor for all Rivers people, Mr Wike seems to prefer…

As you know, leadership is not only about what you have learned or what you can do. Leadership is also about who you are and how you relate to others. Leadership is about your character and your values, your vision and your purpose, your passion, and your courage. Leadership is about making a positive difference in the world, not only for yourself but also for others. Today, I want to talk to you about a facet of your leadership training that I believe is essential for leadership in the 21st century: The Art and Practice of Non-Positional Leadership: Leading from…

I remember when he started the Center For Responsive Politics in Port Harcourt and he was doing civic education and I remember that once, he had a project and invited me and along with one or two of his staff, we went to Eleme. On that project, he was teaching community people how to engage with government, how to write to government, get something from government-it was mainly on participation in governance. I learnt a lot from that project. Another component of the programme that I participated in was when he brought together all the communities that participated in that…

A man of distinction recently turned 60. He is Hon. Nimisoere Walson-Jack, a name that rings a bell in many quarters within and beyond the shores of this country. Born on November 15, 1963 in Owerri, Imo State, Hon. Walson-Jack proudly hails from Abonnema in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. The father of two is married to an amiable and distinguished woman, Dame Didi Walson-Jack. Hon. Walson-Jack’s educational journey began at State School, Bori, where he schooled from 1970 to 1974. He continued his academic pursuits at the prestigious Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, from 1974 to…

As security continues to pose a serious challenge in most Nigerian communities, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) on Saturday, November 18, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ONELGA Security, Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), formalizing working relationships between the two groups. The brief event which took place at the OSPAC headquarters in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State followed a previous courtesy call on the state OSPAC general commander on October 31, 2023, with a commitment to partner with YEAC-Nigeria on the sensitization of its members on human rights protection, development of operational…

The executive director 0of Rainbow Watch and Development Centre, Comrade Mike Gbarale, has commended the Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA for its timely condemnation of wives’ assault on men in Rivers State. In a press release to that effect, the human rights and advocate for the vulnerable stated, “We acknowledge the efforts of the FIDA chairperson, Barr. Adata Bio-Briggs and her team for standing up for what is right and just” Gbarale said increasing incidents of wives exhibiting violent acts against their spouses is unacceptable and demands action. “The recent rise of cases of wives assaulting their husbands in Rivers…

She had gone to the Holy Family Catholic Church in Big Qua Town to worship, on coming out to pick something from her car, less than nine minutes of parking the car, she came out and discovered someone had entered and started the car. In shock, she shouted, “Thief! Thief!!”. Confidently, the car thief reversed the car, head towards highway, and the rest they say is history. When I ran into her, she was still in pains three months after her car was stolen. Nothing has been heard about her car. She was quick to remind me that, that car…

The recent upsurge in reported cases of criminal activities in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and its environs has become a serious source of concern. For a very long time, car snatching cases have been reported in the D/Line area of the city, where cars were snatched at random from their owners with the robbers also inflicting serious injuries on their victims resulting in at least one death. As if programmed, the theft cases have moved to housebreaking and burglary, where thieves break into shops and people’s homes and cart away valuable household goods and merchandise. This particular development…