Author: nationalpoint

By Dave Okpogadie, AsabaSen. Ifeanyi OkowaThe chairman, Air Peace Airlines, Allen Onyema, has commended Delta governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for the upgrade of Asaba Airport, saying he has taken it to international standard.Onyema gave the commendation at the funeral Mass for his father, Chief Michael Onyema, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Mbosi, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State.According to him, Asaba Airport has been transformed and can now accommodate a Boeing 777 aircraft.Onyema, therefore, called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to, “quickly give approval for triple 7 to land in Asaba Airport and see what Air Peace…

The Federal Government Inland Revenue Service, FISR, is considering asking banks to charge customers five per cent VAT for purchases using bank cards, Tunde Fowler, FIRS chairman has said.Fowler who gave the hint in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES in his office in Abuja also said the FG was yet to take a decision on whether or not to increase VAT.Online purchases are increasingly becoming popular among Nigerians with online stores such as Jumia and Konga leading the pack while many Nigerians also buy from popular Chinese online store, Alexpress.Payment for such purchases are often made using bank debit…

By Constance Meju The African Centre for leadership Strategy and Development, CSD, a non-profit, non-governmental organization in Nigeria has joined organizations and people across the world to amplify voices calling for an end to the trafficking of persons the world over.As the world marked the day Against Trafficking in Persons on Wednesday, July 31, the leadership center called on governments especially the Nigerian government to work to reunite trafficked persons with their families.In a press release marking the day signed by M Nyong Essien on behalf of the Center in Abuja, it descried trafficking in persons as an act of…

By Iduozee Paul’s, Benin correspondentDr. Nnimmo BasseyThe Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Dr. Nnimmo Bassey has called on the various actors and political leaders from the Niger Delta region to bury their differences in order to collectively ensure the speedy clean-up of Ogoni-land.Rev. (Dr.) Nnimmo Bassey made the call at a celebration put together in Benin City by his HOMEF staff to honour the environmental legend and icon on the Honorary Doctorate Degree recently conferred on him by York University in the United Kingdom in recognition of his contributions to the struggle for the preservation of…

By Constance Meju President BuhariIt is no news that Nigerians now seek healthcare outside because the quality of service available in the country is pathetic. What is however not general knowledge is the cost implication of this new trend. President Muhammadu  Buhari, himself a culprit, recently put a figure to this. He said oversea treatment removes from the country, a staggering sum of N400bn annually/Represented by Simon Lalong, Plateau State governor, Buhari said at the inauguration of senior executive course (SEC) 41 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPS), Kuru, Jos, that the country loses about N400bn annually…

By Ken MejuCustoms especially cultural customs can be derogatory and discriminatory against women. They are often seen as tools set by society to sharpen the arsenals of tradition, which is nothing short of established practices of a locality.Though established for both men and women, its lopsided effect is greater on women. Most traditions are tailored to adorn the woman with the garment of torture and shame, regardless of her  rights and wishes. It is a glaring assertion that custom rites over-ride the rights of the woman in a deeply male dominated  world, and for this reason, women are subjected to…

By Constance MejuEmem OkonWomen leaders appalled by the continued display of regard for calls for better inclusion of women in decision making  exhibited by the near absence of women nominees in President  Buhari’s ministerial list to the Senate for screening and confirmation, have been kicking against the development.A front line gender equity advocate and deputy governorship candidate in the March governorship election, Ene Ede told National Point that a seven women representation in the federal cabinet is not just enough and will slow down development in the country.Said she: “There is no argument when facts exist. We are fighting against…

-Paul Efe, Benin CorrespondentAt least 93,000 Nigerians are languishing in Libya and Germany, awaiting deportation. This was revealed at a student sensitization programme in Benin recently where the Edo State governor warned students to back-off travelling outside the country without proper planning.Governor Obaseki charged the students to seriously work hard on their education and be good ambassadors of the state and country. He was addressing students at Maria Goretti College, Benin City during a programme organized by Re-educating Africa on the Risk and Dangers in Unplanned Journey Abroad on June 24, 2019.Represented by  his senior special adviser on Anti-Human Trafficking …

–Iduozee Paul, Benin correspondent To enable  youths in Edo State become self reliant and provide for their household, the director of Agriculture and Fishery in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),in PortHarcourt, George Ero, has urged registered farmers in the state to put more effort into farming and agriculture.The NDDC director gave the advice at a sensitization lecture provided for rural farmers on Anchor Borrowers’ programme in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to educate the farmers on the anchor borrowers’ fund in Edo state.According toEro:”The programme thrust of the Anchor Borrowers’  programme is provision of farm inputs in…

-Iduozee Paul’s, Benin correspondent The chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area in Edo State Hon. Stanley Okoro says a major problem confronting his administration has been scarcity of funds to address the plural needs in the council area.Stanley Okorosaid he inherited salary arrears liability of over N400million  compounded by the monthly huge wage bill of teachers in the area.He made the revelations in Abudu, the council headquarters, in an interview granted City Express Newspaper.“The problem in the council since I resumed office has often been scarcity of fund. I inherited salary arrears of over N400 millions coupled with monthly wage bill…