Author: nationalpoint

On April 25, 2023, frontline civil society organisations, socio-cultural groups, academics, traditional rulers, and individuals drawn from the Niger Delta states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers assembled in the city of Port Harcourt for the 2nd Niger Delta Alternatives Convergence (NDAC)for the purpose of setting a pan Niger Delta socio-ecological agenda for the new political leadership at the national and sub national levels that would be sworn-in on May 29, 2023.The convergence discussed the state of the region after over 65 years of oil and gas exploration, and what the Niger Delta…

When we had no oil, we were happier and in peace,” says Dr. Uzo Nwamara, a former Chair of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA) in Rivers State about the social and security distortions in the Niger Delta following the discovery of oil in the region. Nwamara spoke at the reading of Dance in the Delta, a literary work he created in response to the call for peace when Port Harcourt and most parts of Rivers State were embroiled in violent conflicts among contending cult groups in 2007. Dance in the Delta and Dr. Ebideyefa Nikade’s 14 Letters to My…

Comrade Charles Momoh, acting state chairman of Trade Union Congress, TUC, Edo State, on Monday, the International Workers Day, decried dearth of staff in the state public sector, which he said has placed workers in the state under heavy burden. Momoh stated that as a result of the scarcity of staff in the state civil service, one worker now performs the duty of five or 10 staff, making service very excruciating and uninteresting. He said ministries in the Edo State Civil Service are grossly understaffed. “We acknowledge the effort you have made in employment but Mr Governor, please employ more…

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, Bayelsa State Chapter, have called on governments at all levels to take deliberate steps to protect the rights of workers at all times. Speaking in Yenagoa during this year’s May Day celebration, the state NLC chairman, Simon Barnabas who read the speech of organised labour said that there is no plan in the present policy of the Federal Government to increase workers’ pay. The organised labour also demanded that the Bayelsa State government should implement the 2022 promotions for state government workers as well as 2021 and 2022 for local government workers.…

Former representative of Edo South Senatorial district at the Upper chamber, Senator Daisy Danjuma has urged Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to incorporate more women into his government to enable them make positive impact and enhance good governance. Senator Daisy Danjuma said most developed and developing nations which appoint more women into their cabinets, progress and advance more than countries, which did not appoint women into their administration. Senator Daisy Danjuma made the appeal for women inclusion in Benin City, at the commissioning of the Senator Daisy Ehanire Danjuma Women Centre, named after her by the governor, in recognition of…

The Rotary Club of PH Eco through its Maternal and Child Health Committee, visited the Primary Health Care Centre, Botem in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday, April 20, 2023 to distribute items including mosquito nets, antenatal drugs, urinary and glucose test strips, paracetamol and anti-malarial drugs, hand gloves, methylated spirit, oral rehydration salt sachets and zinc tablets to pregnant women in the community. According to one of the team leaders, Dr Bieye Briggs, “The distribution of the health products was done after a health talk on family planning, menstrual hygiene and the importance of antenatal care.…

The National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, and the Rivers State Ministry of Health are in collaboration for increased uptake of health insurance in the state. At a Town Hall Meeting in Port Harcourt, attended by the state civil servants and other stakeholders, the NHIS Director, Mrs. Belinda Fubara said the essence of the event was basically to sensitize the public on their responsibilities towards good health. “We are all aware of the essence of health but we run away from the responsibilities. Inasmuch as we need health, and we need to get well, the steps to take most times, the…

Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing (JSM) company in Akwa Ibom says it has attracted a princely $1 million investment to diversify into other medical consumables. Besides, it said it was also rebranding to become a wholly medical product manufacturing company. Managing Director of the company, Akin Oyediran disclosed this in an interview , saying the company would in addition to producing syringes, also manufacture gloves, masks and infusion sets. “Our investors are investing one million dollars in the company. Because of the level playing field and the advantages provided by the governor. not only have we come in, we are doing other…

Ekid Peoples’ Union (EPU) in Akwa Ibom State has protested against the just released Distribution Sharing Matrix for the implementation of Host Community Trust Fund (HCTF) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) Akwa Ibom State. Under the proposed Distribution Matrix, the seven local government areas of Eket, Esit Eket, Onna, Eastern Obolo, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Mbo are given 11.39% under the ‘Access to 2 Leases’, while Ibeno has 14.89%. The additional 3.5% is said to be accounted for by ‘Designated Facility.’ Reacting to the proposed Distribution Matrix, EPU President, Dr Samuel Udonsak, speaking after the groups Stakeholders Meeting,…

Akwa Ibom State Police Command has made a case for the installation of Close Circuit Television ( CCTV ) cameras in major cities in the state to checkmate crimes rate . Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, a Superintendent of Police, said for security to be further strengthened in the state, there should be a digitalization of the whole apparatus in the state. The Police spokesperson stated this on Tuesday while playing host to members of the Correspondents’ chapel during his annual get-together in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital. It could be recalled that the governor of the State, Mr…