Author: nationalpoint

When a brilliant mind which impacted many, many people very positively passes, even nature heaves, quakes at this demise. Tears flowed dampening starched etibos and Senator suits and the eulogies unprompted tumbled out unceasing in Toru Orua and  Yenagoa when the remains Of Prof Prince Ayebaye Efere were interred in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Saturday, August 25, 2018.Prof Efere, who was popularly and affectionately known as Prince, was Dean of  Foundation Studies,  University of Africa, Toru Orua, Bayelsa State died suddenly June 13, 2018.The passing of the brilliant, passionate, self-assured intellectual and educationist had sent shock waves down the…

The uninvited intervention in the ongoing controversy over President Muhammadu Buhari’s senior secondary certificate by the West African Examination Council, WAEC, has further weakened faith in the examination agency’s integrity.On November 2, 2018, Nigerians watched on national television as an assumed delegation of officials of the WAEC including a Nigerian from its Ghana head office, paid a visit to Aso Rock and presented an attestation certificate to the president. The move was to halt heightening calls on the president to present his acclaimed certificate as required by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for candidates seeking to…

Ahoada West, Rivers StateNigerian government has been charged by experts to adopt sustainable measures on flood mitigation rather than the current reactive measures that have yielded no positive results over the years. Flooding has become an annual expectation in the Niger Delta with heightened negative impacts in 2012 and this year.An environment expert, Dr. Kabari Sam, head of environment and conservation, Centre for Environment Human Rights and Democracy, CEHRED, Port Harcourt says our response to flooding though a perennial problem, has been merely reactive. “We already know that the floods will come but wait until it comes before we start…

Gen. Ogailo Iborry handing over arms to Ondo State governor Agbola AjahiLEADER of ex- militants cutting across Ogun, Lagos, Ondo and other Niger Delta States, Gen. Ogailo Iborry is raising alarm over the neglect and renege of promises of the federal government of Nigeria and the relevant state government made to them on 27th of November 2017 during the surrender of arms.The government has at various times blamed them for the unrest faced in the Niger Delta region particularly in Ondo, Ogun and Lagos state areas.The federal government, through the Deputy Governor of Ondo State Agboola Ajayi, who was the…

The recent charge at the Anambra State 2018 Women’s Summit by wife of the vice president, federal republic of Nigeria, Dolapo Osinbajo was a wake –up call for women in the country irrespective of their political affiliations, to be more pragmatic and be more conscious than ever before, to be involved in party politics.Notwithstanding, some political pundits might dismiss it as a mere political gimmick to eulogize the women and win cheap popularity. On the contrary, the statement shares some similarities with the “I have a Dream” message by Martin Lurther King Jnr. and “I Can” in the Barack Obama…

Around the Security HouseEarlier in the year, precisely in the evening of 11th June,2018  a major oil spill occurred at Shell’s Okordia Manifold, in Ikarama; neighbouring community to Kalaba.  And, ERA/FoEN had promptly reported that incident after visiting the spill impacted environment. Not so long after that spill incident, some persons from Kalaba community informed ERA/FoEN that the spill from neighbouring Ikarama has spread to their community environment. Incidentally, ERA/FoEN didn’t follow up; as folks from Ikarama denied the claim when asked.Flood and spread of crude oil from neighbouring communityHowever, ERA/FoEN confirmed that up till the last week in September,…

By Gift E. JonahEmem Okon, Executive Director Kebetkache Women Resource Centre addressing participantsEmem Okon, executive director Kebetkache Women development Resource Center, Port Harcourt, facilitator of the project said the project, Gender and Accountability Cohort, is a programme being managed by WRAPA with funding support from the Mac Arthur Foundation with the major focus of amplifying the voices of women and highlighting issues and concerns around women for improved policies and services.The programme according to her, seeks to increase public understanding of issues on gender and how policies and government activities impact women noting that vices like non-transparency and corruption which…

Pa Sylvester Utulu MejuThe death has been announced of Pa Sylvester Utulu Meju, father of Chief Constance Meju, managing editor of National Point Newspaper, Port Harcourt.Pa Sylvester Utulu Meju, native of Idumubulu Alio in Azungwu Quarter, Ogwashi Uku, Delta State, died on September 26, 2018 at the ripe age of 94 years.The distinguished retired senior police officer and former customary court judge was until his death, the second oldest man in his Idumubulu Alio community.The distinguished  retired senior police officer served in various parts of the country and as a former Customary Court judge in Delta State.He is survived by…

By Constance MejuOchanya Elizabeth OgbanjeNational attention has been focused on Benue state since news broke of the dastardly and horrific sexual violation of a 13 year-old girl, Ochanya entrusted to the care of an aunt, by the aunt’s very educated husband and knight of the Catholic Church. As anger boiled over her abuse, the employers of the violating uncle announced his suspension from service. Many are calling for his head and that of his undergraduate son, gradual murderers of the innocent girl.Very discerning Nigerians have been asking where the Lady Knight, her aunt was when all the drugging and raping…

The Enugu State branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA) Nigeria, through its Litigation Committee secured a judgment over inheritance rights for a widow, Mrs Sarah Ogbodo and her four children.According to Uloma Aniugbo, chairperson, Litigation Committee, the branch took up the matter in court for the said widow and her children.Brothers of the demised made frantic efforts to deny Mrs. Sarah Ogbodo and her children their right to Mr. Ogbodo’s property.Judgment was delivered in the High Court of Enugu in suit No: E251/2017: the case of Mrs Sarah Ogbodo Eneh, Miss Anna Ogbodo Eneh, three others Vs.…