Author: nationalpoint

Women drawn from some oil producing communities in three Niger Delta states- Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom- were in Port Harcourt February 7 – 8, 2019 for a two-day capacity building training on Beneficial Ownership conducted by Kebetkache Women Development Resource Center with support from Ford Foundation.The training was conducted by ateam from the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, (NEITI) andhad as its theme, “Enhancing the Capacity of Women in the Niger Delta toAdvocate Equitable benefit Sharing of Oil Revenue and DemandAccountability from the Nigerian Government”. Venue was Swiss Spirit Hotel,Port Harcourt, Rivers state.The aim of the training was tobuild…

Precious Youthsof Twon Kingdom Coast Guides have commenced a sanitation exercise to improvehygiene and engender better practices in the coast community. The programmebeing sponsored by the Lady Diete-Spiff Foundation is geared towards promotingpeace through community service and building self-worth in youths.The scheme which kicked-off on February 28, commenced activities on March 1, 2019 with 40 youths including young women and will involve the cleaning of river banks, keeping the gutters and community clean.Part of the LadyJosephine Foundation objective according to the founder and programmeinitiator, is to help build the skills of Twon Brass youths and team spirit forpositive contribution to…

Dr. Patience Osaro-EjijiDr Patience Osaro-Ejiji is a dedicated female politician who never stops speaking on issues concerning women. The respected Eleme, rives State daughter is very  concerned that many Niger Delta women are facing health challenges because of prolonged oil abuse and unregulated oil exploration activities. She spoke in Port Harcourt with National Point’s managing editor.  Excerpts:Onempowerment of women supporting political partiesEverybody cannot get appointment;prepare packages to empower everybody at the end of campaigns. Don’t dropcampaigners; give empowerment to those who worked.Whatdo Nigeria Women want?Nigerian women are looking for somebody to make them happy. Some homes can’t provide even indomie;…

By Constance MejuEvenas Nigeria battles to pick representatives for her next political dispensation,a sector of the over 180million Nigerian population has fears that were not inany way deeply articulated by those seeking power. That segment is the femalecomponent who according to the last census figures, accounts for slightly abovethe male population.Thatover 90 million Nigerians made up of women and girls have been and continue tobe an endangered species thanks to a traditional system that dwells onpatriarchy making them second class citizens without right to be heard. Whilethe world is working hard to correct this tradition induced anomaly, backingits stand with…

By Constance MejuFormost families in oil producing areas of the Niger Delta, the discovery andexploration of oil rather than be a blessing bringing improvements in theirlives, has been a constant source of woes.Tothem, the main beneficiaries of oil and gas proceeds from their land are theNigerian government, the majority owner of oil proceeds and the few players onthe corridors of oil-the multinational oil companies, the marginal oil fieldowners, their contractors, staff and a smattering of locals comprising ofchiefs and youth leaders often used by the companies as instruments of divisionwithin the communities.Whilethe federal government fuels its operations from about 88…

One expectedINEC to be truly focused and steadfast, but this message of postponement comingonly a few hours from the election has demoralized a lot of people.We had over 36months to prepare. Abundant funds, human resources, sophisticated equipment weremade available and other logistics provided.Foreignobservers had arrived security personnel were deployed.In all of thesewomen and children are the hardest hit. Majority have relocated to their hometowns and withdrawn children from schools. Their businesses have come to astandstill. It is more devastating for women who lost their lives, their lovedones or got injured in the heat of the elections campaign in Abeokuta, Kano,…

Adhoc staff of INEC waiting for the botched February 16 election.

Iduozee Paul, Benin Correspondent Prince Uche SecondusThe presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Atiku Abubakar has pledged to provide employment 70 per cent of Nigerian young men, women and youths if he gets into government.Theformer vice president noted that in every society the youths are the drivingforce of development. He apologized to the people and PDP supporters for coming late as he assuredthem PDP will give them a better government and make Nigeria work again.Atiku said since President Muhammadu Buhari assumedpower over 21million Nigerians had lost their jobs.Saidhe: “The crowd that is here virtually 90 percent are…

Iduozee Paul, BeninAs Nigerians prepare to return to the polls Saturday February 2019, some non-governmental bodies- Smiles Africa International Youth Development Initiative, YoungstarsFoundation, 2Baba Foundation and Ambassador, Vote Not Fight Campaign and Yali Network-have urged INEC to work with the police and other law enforcement agencies toensure free, fair and credible elections. The groups gave the advice at a protest march to the NUJ Press Centre in Benin city and head office of INEC in thestate, to ensure quick distribution and timely arrival of electoral materialsat various polling units across the country. Addressing journalists, spokesperson of the groups, Comrade Franklyn Oshio…

lduozee Paul, BeninThe Committee of Benin Elders, a body made up of professionals and intellectuals has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and all other security agencies to be neutral, and fair to all parties, in order to ensure free and fair elections.The group in a statement issued at apress conference in Benin city said current issues going on in the countryprompted it to lend its voice to comments on the burning matter ravaging thenation. The Committee expressed dismay over what Nigerians are witnessing atpresent and called for urgent solutions to remedy it before the general polls. Chairman of the…