FocalPoint Reports

$150 fraud sends OAU student to prison Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, on Friday sentenced Ezekiel Orimolade, an undergraduate student at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) to four months imprisonment for defrauding an American man of 150 dollars. Ajoku held that the court sentenced Orimolade, based on the evidence before her and the plea bargain agreement he had with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “I have considered the plea bargain agreement entered into by the convict as well as the provisions of Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 in this judgment”, NAN quoted him as saying. “I also consider the fact that Orimolade is a very young person, preparing for his final exams at OAU and that he had shown great remorse. “However, to serve as warning to others intending to engage in cyber crime, Orimolade is sentenced to four months in prison and the sentence starts from the date he was first arres...

US Tightens  Anti-Imigration Policy on Nigerians, Denies Bishop Oyedepo, Others Visa By   bigpen The United States Embassy in Lagos has denied renowned preacher, Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners’ Chapel International visa in what appears to be an escalation of President Trump’s anti-immigrant stance. A report in ThisDay also said Kris Asimonye, wife of popular comedian, Abovi Ugboma (Bovi) was also denied visa Thursday even though the comedian’s application was approved. According to a report in THEWILL, “the United States embassy in Nigeria has been hard on Nigerians seeking visas. THEWILL can also authoritatively report that Nigerians with valid United States visas have been receiving emails from the embassy notifying them that their visas have been revoked without any explanations. Two senior bank executives affected confirmed the development to THEWILL”. It was however unclear why Oyedepo’s visa application was denied. The embassy usually does not reveal such inform...

NGO Set to Collaborate With F.G  to Improve Security, Presidency Host CEPEJ  A  Nigerian Non-Governmental Organization, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ has expressed readiness to support and partner with the Nigerian Government as the NGO expands advocacy programs towards addressing security challenges in the country. This National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade reaffirmed the NGO's position and desire to support the Federal Government during a courtesy visit to the Presidency on Thursday at the country's federal capital, Abuja Nigeria. The presidency received CEPEJ delegations at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock Abuja and commended them for piloting CEPEJ activities towards sustained advocacy efforts for Unity and peaceful coexistence among Africans particularly Nigerians.   The S.A to the President on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina played host to CEPEJ team as the presentation of CEPEJ 2020 Calendar, newsletters and pro...

Umahi declares Chinese, Indian languages compulsory in Ebonyi schools 10 hours ago The governor of Ebonyi state, Chief David Umahi at the weekend revealed that Chinese Mandarin, Hindi and Climate Change will be compulsory subjects for students studying in Ebonyi colleges. Umahi noted that the implementation of the said subjects will take effect from 28th January, 2020 as the academic activities resumes, but added that it is compulsory for students studying Entrepreneurship/ Business Development and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The governor who spoke through the Special Assistant on Vocational Education and Chief Executive Officer, Ebonyi State Vocational College, Princess Adaeze Nwaji Esq, made this known to newsmen in Abakaliki shortly after a courtesy call by a Chinese and Indian delegates. He noted that the reasons for introducing Chinese languages as compulsory subjects is to boost business partnership between Ebonyi state and the Chinese government. DAILY POST g...

Buhari orders airstrikes on bandits, kidnappers 9 hours ago President Muhammadu Buhari has uthorized the deployment of air power to support troops and policemen sent to the “difficult terrain,” to counter the menace of the attackers operating in the forest area bordering Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara states. The skies, fighter aircrafts would this week join the efforts to provide effective air attacks against bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers that have been attacking remote communities around Dogon Gona forest in Niger State. This was contained In a statement, on Sunday by Garba Shehu. The President, described the repeated attacks leading to the loss of several lives in the communities “as a disaster for the nation,” The statement added that in line with this directive, the Nigerian Air Force is setting up refueling facilities at Minna, Niger State to support the aircraft operations, giving assurances that given the improved weather conditions, a major exercise to “visually acquire t...

Ijaws in Delta Lauds Sheriff On Coastal Agency Bill, Urges Okowa, Delta Assembly To Urgently Pass It To Law WARRI- The Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI, has hailed Comrade Sheriff Mulade for initiating a Bill for coastal development agency in Delta State. Comrade Sheriff Mulade who is the national coordinator of Centre For Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, was a former Delta State House of Assembly Aspirant in the 2019 general elections under the People's Pemocracy party, PDP. The bill had been presented to His Excellency Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State and been also received by the hoIjaw ble speaker of the state House Of assembly which to be read for hearing in further sittings. The most famous Pan-Ijaw group, IPDI, added that the bill was a well deserved one, and long expected and that when it is passed into law, it would be of great benefit to the state and coastal areas of the state. The group boss, Hon. Comrade...

Soldiers cannot defeat Boko Haram alone – EU tells Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari By Nwafor Sunday Janez Lenarcic, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Crisis Management, Friday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to apply international law and international humanitarian law in dealing with Boko Haram. He said ‘military effort alone would probably not be sufficient’ in tackling Boko Haram in the country. “We would like to support your efforts. We believe all relevant actors; military, civilian as well as humanitarian should come together. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs is suggesting such high level dialogue. “In situations such as what we have in the northeast, international law and international humanitarian law should apply. We believe in your efforts to end the conflict; military effort alone probably will not be sufficient without identifying and addressing the socio-economic factors causing it, “he stated. Disclosing this in ...

JUBILATION IN DELTA RIVERINE COMMUNITIES AS DTHA, OKOWA RECEIVES BILL TO ESTABL ISH CADA  The Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori have received the Bill seeking to establish the Coastal Areas Development Agency, (CADA). The Bill was initiated by a community leader and an environmental rights activist, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, a Peace Ambassador, who hails from Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta state.  It was received at the Delta State Government House, Asaba, a copy of which was received by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly  on behalf of the State legislature on the 22nd of January, 2020. The Bill is in line with the demands by Deltans in the coastal communities seeking a legislation to create an agency that will fast track the development of coastal communities in the State. The Bill was preceded by several media reports and public o...

FG Agrees on Amotekun as community policing outfit Vice President Osinbajo (left) conferring with President Buhari After much controversies surrounding the establishment of “Operation Amotekun” by the southwest Governors, the Federal Government has, at last, accepted the initiative and agreed that it be structured to align with its community policing strategy. This was the outcome of a meeting on Thursday between the federal government and the southwest Governors, according to a statement by Laolu Akande, senior special assistant to the president on media & publicity. At the meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the parties also agreed that necessary legal instruments be put in place to give Amotekun the backing. The statement reads, “Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, met today with South West Governors, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police.

Trump Speaks On Why He Banned Nigeria From US Visa access 55 minutes ago American president,  Donald Trump  has added Nigeria and six others to his travel ban list. According to Trump who spoke at a news conference at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland yesterday, Trump said the expansion which will be announced “very shortly” is as a result of happenings around the world. The US president was silent on the affected countries but the list is said to include Nigeria and six others. “ You see what’s going on in the world, our country has to be safe, ” the BBC quoted him as saying. “ We’re adding a couple of countries….we have to be safe.” Earlier it was reported that Trump’s administration is not likely to place full visa bans on the affected countries. Naija News reported that the restriction may be limited to certain types of visas such as the business or visitor visa popularly referred to as B1/B2 visa type. Trump issued the first travel ban — titled “Enhancing ...

APC KNOCKS OKOWA OVER DEMOLISION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES The All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State frowns on the insensitivity and insincerity of the PDP-led government, under the whims and caprices of Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa; the Governor of Delta State, on the hardship being visited on Deltans who are striving hard on a daily basis to eke out a living. The purpose of governance is to create the enabling environment and avenues for citizens to thrive in their legitimate businesses. In Asaba and its environs, the reverse is the case. In recent times, the governor has overtly and covertly, through the office of the Director General of Asaba Development Commission inflicted unquantifiable economic and social injuries on the residents and traders in Asaba and its environs. The Commission, few weeks ago, announced intention to demolish every illegal structures and shanties in Asaba, the State capital. The citizens and the enlightened minds welcomed the idea of the Commission. L...

Okowa Prosperity, Strong Delta Mantra: Warri Loses City Value to Darkness, Waste Dark oil city, Warri at night, a sight of socio-economically dead city FocalPoints Editorial By Ezekiel Kagbala FPR Street and traffic lights in the famous oil city of Warri, Delta State has ceased working, nonfictional and comatose. Prolonged below epileptic standard electricity supply by BEDC to Deltan's have also crippled business activities in the City. The thick gloom and darkness that pervades Warri city at night will put forward concerns if there is a government in Delta, if the government conscious of what good governance entails. Delta state government can afford efficient and effective street lights to light up  the city for a better facelift at night. People in Delta expect the government to contribute to relatively stable electricity in the state as applicable to other states. What is strong Delta, without electricity to assist business activities and security in the...

Fresh female Army recruit found dead in lovers house 1 hour ago A 23-year-old lady, Patience Amos, has died in the hands of her boyfriend in the Adamawa State capital, Yola. The decomposing body of Patience was found in the boyfriend’s room days after she died, perceivably after a violent argument. Neighbours said they heard voices of Patience and the boyfriend, Ali Wakil, at his residence in Damilu in the Jimeta area of Yola, but did not take it for anything that might turn fatal. ‘’Residents became suspicious when we could not see the lady for good three days, and what worried us more was the terrible odour emitting from their room,’’ one of the neighbours said. The source said the door to the room was locked from the outside, making access difficult. ‘’What compounded the situation was how the door of the room was locked from the outside, a development which compelled people to forcefully open the window of the room only to discover the body of the female lover at the stage of decom...

UK Seeks to Confiscate Ibori’s Assets as Trial Resumes By agency report A British prosecutor Thursday in London launched a fresh attempt to confiscate millions of pounds allegedly stolen from Delta State by its former Governor, Chief James Ibori, who was convicted of laundering his loot in Britain This is coming as the Britain’s National Crime Agency has estimated that around one billion pounds in dirty money moves into or through the United Kingdom every year, saying Ibori is one of the only ultimate beneficiaries of such practices to have been convicted. Ibori, who governed Delta from 1999 to 2007, had reportedly pleaded guilty at London’s Southwark Crown Court in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering, and thereafter, received a 13-year jail sentence. Reuters described the case as a rare example of a prominent Nigerian politician being punished for his part in the endemic corruption that has blighted Africa’s most populous country for decades. It added that since then, seve...

3-1 years Man commits Suicide with a  poisonous substance believed to be Sniper,  A  31-year-old-man, Princewill Okoroafor, has allegedly committed suicide after drinking a poisonous substance believed by the police to be Sniper, in his apartment at Lakeview Phase 1 Estate in Amuwo Odofin, a suburb in Lagos state. Police sources say Princewill was found dead inside his apartment and an empty container of the sniper was found by his body. However, the mother of the deceased, Mrs. Juliet Okoroafor, said she suspects foul play in his death and called on the police to conduct an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of death .“I received a call that my son was about to commit suicide. I rushed to the scene and met him lying on the floor in his room. He was rushed to First Line Hospital in Festac, where he was confirmed dead. I want the police to conduct an autopsy on him to ascertain the cause of his death.” Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Lagos state police c...

 Governor Okowa Committed to Deliver Promise of Stronger Delta till 2023..... Aniagwu   Asaba Metro Mr Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, Delta State Commissioner for Information The Government of Delta State has stated that it would not give in to smear campaigns by blackmailers who have invaded the cyberspace with falsehood in order to distract the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa saying, “we as an administration will not be distracted”. The position of the state government was conveyed by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu at a press briefing, on Wednesday, January 15, where he further reassured Deltans of the commitment of Governor Okowa to deliver his Stronger Delta mantra as his second term progresses towards 2023. Flanked by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika and other government officials, the Information Commissioner described the actions of the alleged blackmailers as ploy to swing the minds of Deltans from supporting the gove...

Buhari Silently Leading Nigeria Into Another War – Afenifere Chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo Ayo Adebanjo, a chieftain of the Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari is silently leading Nigeria to war. Adebanjo explained that Buhari was leading Nigeria into war through his dictatorial tendencies and refusal to restructure Nigeria. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, he said Buhari was determined to rule Nigeria with force and that such action does not promote peace. According to Adebanjo: “What led to the war? The agitation of the Igbos was that they were being excluded from the government of the day; the details are known. What is he doing to erase the impression? “He is making things worse; the agitation then was ‘let us have a government where everyone will participate’. “So, if Buhari wants us to take him seriously in this country, he should restructure the country now and let us have the constitution we all contributed to, anyt...

Support GbaramatuVoice Now, Gbenekama Urges Otuaro, Ijaw Leaders  GbaramatuVoice WhatsApp Group Most Active Member, Receives Award By FocalPoint Reports A prominent chieftain, the spokesman of  Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Godspower Gbenekama has called on the state deputy governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro and other Ijaw Leaders across the Niger Delta region to give operational and financial support to GbaramatuVoice media outfit to enable them continue and expand capacity in the business of projecting forward the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta interest. The Gbaramatu Chief on Tuesday made the call in Warri durring the GbaramatuVoice WhatsApp group most active member 2019 award ceremony, an ocation that attracted community leaders across Gbaramatu kingdom to witness the presentation of award/Trophy to Engr. Michael Tonlagha. The Publisher of GbaramatuVoice Jacob Abai also used the opportunity to present the ...

Fear of loosing Ogbe-Ijoh Market grips Ijaws in Warri.   Mtrs. Queen  Ajemitolu, former market Mistress Ogbe-Ijoh Market Warri, Current member, Market management committee. Delta youths under the auspices of Meibutu has expressed fear of loosing the only Ijaw Owned Market in Warri, Warri-South Local Government Area of Delta State.  The youths yesterday expressed panic of loosing Ogbe-Ijoh market to the Urhobo's in warri, following their refusal to cooperate with current market management arrangement put in place by the council Chairman, Hon Michael Tidi.  A representative of Meibutu leadership group, Comrade Lot Loyibo in a statement to Newsmen  yesterday at the Ogbe-Ijoh Market, Warri. Said, "This Market has not been completed, this market has been abandoned by the government for the past decades and different ethnic groups has been fighting Ijaw people that they are not the rightful owners of the market." "Agbasa people are claiming ownership, the War...

No More Department Of Mass Communication In Nigerian Universities as NUC Reorganises Programmes NUC unbundles Mass Communication Degree into Seven degree awarding programmes while making Mass Communication to become a Faculty. The seven new Programmes/Departments, to be domiciled in a Faculty of Mass Communication are: 1. Journalism & Media Studies 2. Public Relations 3. Advertising 4. Broadcasting 5. Film & Multi-Media Studies 6. Development Communication Studies 7. Information & Media Studies This is a great news…better professionals will emerge from 2025! NUC splits Mass Comm., 3 other degree programmes The National Universities Commission (NUC) says it has unbundled Mass Communication into seven separate degree programmes to meet present demand. The Commission also said that degree programmes in Agriculture, Architecture and Creative Art have also been split into different ones, with the changes expected to take effect in this year in all universit...

Media Rights Group Slams N15 Million Suit Against NNPC for Denying Public Access to Information Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has slammed a N15 million suit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over alleged consistent breaching of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. MRA, in a statement issued on Wednesday by Mr Idowu Adewale, its Communications Officer, said NNPC violated its statutory duties under the FOI by denying access to information under the Act. In the suit filed on its behalf by Abuja-based lawyer, Mrs Mojirayo Ogunlana-Nganga, MRA is asking the court to compel NNPC to obey the FOI Act within 30 days of the court’s order. The MRA is also claiming N15 million as exemplary and aggravated damages for the “flagrant and unlawful violation” of its right of access to information as provided and guaranteed by the Act. In addition to the NNPC and its Group Managing Director, also named as a respondent in the suit is the Attorney-General of the Federation. ...

Sheriff Mulade Demands Development Blue Print for Riverine Communities, Renews Calls for Creation of CADA Comrade Sheriff Mulade, Michael Ikeogu, Malcolm Oteri at CEPEJ headquarters during media appreciation organized by CEPEJ Boss The National coordinator of a Niger Delta based Non governmental organization, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, (CEPEJ) Comrade  Sheriff Mulade has renewed his call to the Delta State government to create Coastal Area Development Advocacy, CADA to serve as a blue print for sustainable development of  riverine communities. He made the call yesterday Tuesday in Warri Delta State during his appreciation program organized to appreciat local and national media outfits across the country for contributing to the advocacy for good governance and development in the country, appealing to journalist to join the advocacy of taking development to the riverine communities, which is the motive behind the appeal to the Delta state Government to c...

DESTMA lacks powers to impound vehicles..... Omes Ogedegbe Esq. A Delta based human right activist, a lawyer, Barr. Omes Ogedegbe has condemned the recent announcement by Delta State Traffic Management Authority, DESTMA, threatening to arrest and impound transporting. In a statement, published to social media handle, Ogedegbe said  "We are not in Britain with unwritten laws, in Nigeria all our laws are in black and white". "The DESTMA law 2013 empowers the agency solely for traffic control and management. No section of the law empowers the agency to impound vehicles of motorist. The power assumed by the agency  is arbitral and therefore  disobedience to same shall only become a duty". "While i am sure same is already targeted at some individuals i make  bold to state  the  agency and the governor can not enlarge the powers of the agency as it is set up by law. While we forgive the ignorance in the announcement we demand a retraction of the vexacious ann...

Assassination of Iranian General : IGP Orders Police to Beef Up Security , Tells Police Commands to be on Red Alert   IGP, Mohammed Adamu The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has placed police commands and formations nationwide on red alert. A statement by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, said this proactive measure follows intelligence report that sequel to the recent killing of an Iranian General by the United States, some domestic interests are planning to embark on massive public disturbances and sabotage. “Consequently, Zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police have been directed to ensure maximum surveillance and security of lives and property across the nation. “The police commanders have been directed to ensure strategic deployments of both overt and covert police operatives to ensure adequate security and safety of citizens, foreigners especially diplomats and diplomatic missions domicile...

Iraq holds massive funeral for top Iranian general Soleimani Thousands of Iraqis, including senior politicians, attended the funeral of a top Iranian general and Iraqi militiamen in Baghdad on Saturday, following a U.S. airstrike that sharply escalated tensions across the region. The attack near Baghdad airport killed Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes, the deputy head of Iraq’s Muslim Shiite militia Hashd al-Shaabi, along with six other Iran-allied militiamen. On Saturday, the bodies of those killed in the strike were carried inside caskets onto military vehicles in a funeral procession led by Iraqi militiamen holding the Iraqi flag and banners of militias backed by Iran. Iraq’s caretaker prime minister, Adel Abdel-Mahdi, and Hadi al-Amiri, a senior leader in Hashd al-Shaabi, were in attendance. Angry mourners chanted anti-U.S. slogans such as “Death to America!” and called for revenge. Others raised placards reading: “We all a...

NUPENG gives Chevron, Contractor 7-Day Ultimatum To Re-Engage Sacked Members By daily Independent The National leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) yesterday issued a seven-day ultimatum on Chevron Nigeria Limited and its Contractor, Cordeau Nigeria Limited to reinstate all its 32 workers sacked for insisting on being NUPENG members. Comrade (Prince) Williams Eniredonana Akporeha, National President of NUPENG, said that action of the oil company and its contractor is obnoxious and viciously carried out. According to him, “ The action taken by Chevron and its contractor at the twilight of 2019 was in bad fate and an affront to Labour/workers’ rights and also human rights relating to labour relations between workers and employers, codified in national and international labour and employment law. “These rights influence working conditions of workers’ employment, and one of the most central is the right to freedom of association, otherwise known ...

Ezekiel Daniel Joins Deltan's for New year Celebration, Calls for Peace, Unity   The senior Special adviser to the Delta State governor, Comr. Daniel Ezekiel joins Deltan's to celebrat the beginning of a brand new decade, calls for peace unity across the state. Ezekiel Daniel made the call in Sapele Delta State, wishing Deltans a happy new year.  Ezekiel, said that despite the diversity in ethnicity, religion and political ideology, Deltans need to work together in unity to be able to succeed as a state He said, ”I wish to state that there is need for more unity among Deltans, despite our ethnic, religion and political backgrounds. There is a saying that in unity, we stand, and divided we fall. We should continue to abide by Christ Teachings. Unity is peace and peace is a sign of unity.  Our governor, His excellency , senator Ifeanyi Okowa ,is so much concerned about the peace, unity and security of Deltans. ”We should love ourselves and try to resolve our differenc...

The National Coordinator, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice CEPEJ, Comrade Mulade Sheriff has felicitated with and welcomed all Nigerians and the World at large to a brand new year 2020 In a statement issued at the CEPEJ Head Office in Warri, Delta State on behalf of the board and management of CEPEJ, Comrade Mulade said Nigeria remains a great nation and requested all to remain peaceful, law abiding and join hands with the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to build a united and prosperous Nation. He urged Nigerians to dedicate themselves to the service of God and humanity to build a stronger Nation "First we must believe in our Country. No matter the challenges, I am optimistic that with determination we can collectively advance and build the Nation we desire in 2020 and beyond. Let me also admonish our leaders, to have the people who elected them at heart and work to deliver the dividends of democracy." In 2020 our political, Traditional a...