FocalPoint Reports

Urhobo Youths To FG: Stop The Lip Service, Address Our Grievances Urhobo youths under aegis of Rescue Urhobo from Marginalization (RUM) has called on the Federal Government to stop paying lip services to issues of marginalization raised by Campaign for The Economic Survival of Urhobo Nation (CATESUN) and urgently addressed them. In a communique signed by National President of RUM, Olorogun Fidelis Oghenetega and issued after its meeting held at Asaba, the Delta state capital, the group stated that CATESUN are not alone in the struggle for the emancipation of the Urhobos in the Niger Delta. The communique reads: "CATESUN points of agitation which includes initiation of fresh process of ceding out the 57 Marginal Oil Fields in order for Urhobo to be part of the process, further probe of the NDDC, reclamation/pilling of all Urhobo coastal communities. "Resuscitation of the moribund Delta Steel Company, relocation of all headquarters of International Oil Companies to

Delta Monarch, five others remanded over alleged murder Delta State Magistrate Court sitting in Issele-Uku, Aniocha North local government area of the State, has ordered that the Obi of Idumuje-Ugboko, HRM Chukwunonso Nwoko and five others be remanded in police custody over the alleged murder of a motorcycle rider, Cyprian Kumaoro and another, Iloh Kennedy till the next adjourned date. The presiding Chief Magistrate, F. Obonodo in his ruling, denied the suspects’ bail application and ordered that they remain in police custody till the next hearing date, adding that the Prisons were not holding inmates due to COVID-19 pandemic The Delta State Police Command (Homicide Section) had charged the Monarch to court after concluding its investigations on his alleged involvement in the murder and unlawful disposal of the bodies of a motorcycle rider, Cyprian Kumaoro and another, Iloh Kennedy during the 2017 intra-communal violence purportedly instigated by HRM Nonso Nwoko. Others charged wi

Let’s join hands to move NBA forward, Akpata urges Nigerian lawyers Olumide Akpata The just elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata, has called on lawyers in the country to join hands with him to move the association forward. Akpata in his acceptance speech, Friday, said “I submitted my nomination form to signify the formal expression of my intention to contest for the office of the President of NBA, the foremost and oldest professional membership association in Nigeria and the most influential network of legal practitioners in Africa. “Alongside the nomination form, I submitted a document embodying my leadership programme of action for the NBA, if elected President. In that document, I pledged to use what I consider as my greatest personal attribute: the discipline of execution, in carrying out the undertakings that I had given to the members; and I also promised to lay the foundation for the future profession that we all desire. “On the stren

COVID-19: NCDC reveals when a vaccine may be available Ihekweazu the DG of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has said there is likelihood that a COVID-19 vaccine may be available within the next six to 12 month

Ogun Govt directs all secondary school teachers to resume Aug. 3 Ogun State Ogun government has directed all secondary school teachers in the state to resume on Monday, Aug. 3 ahead of the West African Senior Secondary Schools Examination (WASSCE) scheduled for Aug. 17. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, gave this directive in Abeokuta on Friday. Soyombo quoted Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun as saying that the aim was to enable the teachers to work with their principals in preparation for students’ resumption on Aug. 4. Abiodun said the directive was for teachers in public and private schools to enable them to assist in the distribution of materials provided by the state government for the examinations. He said all guidelines stipulated by the government for the students’ resumption were to be followed strictly by all school administrators. He enjoined all stakeholders to cooperate with the state government to ensure a safe r

Urhobo Youth President Supports Agitation against Marginalization of Urhobo's  By Sunday Apah, Delta Central Senatorial Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2019 general election in Delta state and former Member of Delta State House of Assembly, Udu Constituency, Hon. Chief Lord Liege Keston Okoro has thrown his weight behind the Campaign for The Economic Survival of Urhobo Nation (CATESUN) on agitations for the federal Government to address the gross marginalization of the Urhobo people. Okoro, who made this known in a chat with journalists, said Urhobo has long been marginalized by the Federal Government and International Oil Companies without anyone to speak for them but CATESUN has come to stand for them. Okoro, the pioneer President of Urhobo Youth Council (UYC), noted that he saw credibility in the membership of CATESUN, hence I decided to support them wholeheartedly for the betterment of my people. "It has been my dream to have credible,

2023 Presidency: ‘Who is Mamman Daura fooling?’ ― Clark lampoons Buhari’s nephew Ijaw National and  South-South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark has lampooned President Muhammadu Buhari’s influential nephew, Mallam Mamman Daura, for saying on Tuesday that there was no need for zoning the  2023 Presidential ticket to any part of the country. In a statement Thursday in Abuja, Chief Clark who asked Daura to stop fooling himself and those around him said that he (Daura) lacks the experience and qualification to give directives on Nigeria’s Governmental Affairs. According to the Elder statesman, Mamman Daura has never held a notable political appointment in the country to qualify him to be a Political Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari. Recall that the head of the kitchen cabinet of the President Buhari administration, the President’s nephew, Malam Mamman Daura, had spoken on the vexed issue of zoning and rotation of the nation’s presidency, arguing that competence, not geography should de

COVID-19: Delta offers tax incentives to save informal sector Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State. By Festus Ahon, Asaba As part of its effort to further cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, the Delta State Government has reeled out tax relief incentives to private school owners, hoteliers, private hospital owners, potable water providers, publishers in the media industry, transport companies and owners of eateries among others in the informal sector of the state economy. The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu and Chairman of the State Board of Internal Revenue, Sir Monday Onyeme who disclosed this while briefing Newsmen in Asaba, explained that the tax relief incentives was to enable beneficiaries to remain in business in this era of COVID-19 pandemic. Aniagwu maintained that the state government had taken proactive steps in the past to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 that had led to the drop in the price of crude oil in the international market. He

Attack on Convoy of Borno Governor: Army begins Investigation into how Boko Haram got wind of Governor’s movement. The Nigerian Army said on Thursday that it had begun an investigation into the circumstances that led to the attack in Borno state, Professor Babagana Zulum by Boko Haram terrorists who opened fire on his convoy, which made the Governor abort his trip to Baga to distribute Palliatives to IDPs in the area. The Army regretted the incident saying it was an isolated and most unfortunate incident that occurred in a territory where normalcy has since been restored with socio-economic activities picking up. A statement to this effect was issued by Col Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations and titled, ‘Re: report of Attack on The Convoy of Borno State Governor’. It reads, “The convoy of the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Gana Zulum came under Boko Haram terrorist fire while visiting Baga Town on the 29th of July 2020. “The Executive Govern

NBA Elections: ECNBA clarifies issue of ‘undeliverable’ on voting platform By Rasheed Sobowale The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) on Thursday clarified the cause of undeliverable that might have been experienced by voters during the ongoing NBA National Officers Elections. In a press statement made available to the media by its secretary, Cordelia U. Eke (Mrs), ECNBA noted the cause could be attributed to any of five reasons including: Voter has an inactive Phone Number Voter has invalid Phone Number (does not exist or is too short or too long) Voter has invalid Email Address (Wrongly spelt and does not exist OR their Domain has expired) Spam Filter on Voter’s email blocking direct delivery of emails. Voter can check Spam folder. DND is active on Voter’s phone and the message has been blocked by Telecommunication company. To rectify the issue of DND, ECNBA in the statement recommended any of the following actions: 9mobile (Etisalat) numbers, Tex

BREAKING: NBA gets new president after online election Following its recent online presidential election, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) now has a new leader who is not from the usual rank of senior advocates.

APC to Okowa, account for N214bn accrued to Delta from FAAC in 2019 The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has tasked the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to account for the N214.4 billion accrued to the state from the Federal Account Allocation Committee, FAAC in 2019. The party (APC) while accusing the state government of allegedly running a failed developmental policy, noted that apart from FAAC accrued to the state in 2019, the state also got at least N65 billion as Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. The position by the party is coming on the heels of plans by the state government to slash worker’s salaries in what the party described as a “chop-I-chop government.” The All Progressives Congress (APC) describing itself as the mouthpiece for the downtrodden in the state, publicity secretary of the party, Sylvester Imonina, said: “The bad economic policy of chop I chop of the state government have continued to deprive Deltans something as simple as the

Israel, Nigeria sign bilateral agreement on green energy   The State of Israel and Nigeria on Wednesday signed bilateral agreement in the field of green energy development. The agreement was outcome of a closed door meeting between Mr Yotam Kreiman, Deputy Head of Israeli Mission to Nigeria, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology in Abuja. Speaking, Yotam told the Newsmen that “Dor” Group is one of the leading companies in Israel in the field of energy. He expressed appreciation to both the Dor partners and the ministry over success of the signing of the agreement. According to him, the company had excelled in production of methanol as a safe, clean and green substitute for fuel in Israel and now in Nigeria. Yotam said: “Both Dor and the diplomatic relations and friendship between Israel and Nigeria are now 60 years old. “The process that brought us today has neither been short nor simple, after many test and checks of possibilities and probabilities, it is comme

Court grants Delta cleric bail over alleged rape of 19-Year-old girl The Delta State High Court II sitting in Warri has granted stringent bail conditions to the Founder of Victory Revival Fasting & Prayer Ministry in Warri, Bishop Elijah Orhonigbe, over allegations of rape and impersonation from the custody of the Police “A” Division in Warri. The High Court II which was presided over by Hon. Justice A.O Akpovi granted the cleric bail in Suit No: W/ 25SB/ 2020 on July 15. The Court ordered that the cleric provide two sureties who pay One Million Naira (N1, 000,000.00) each in like sum as part of requirements for his bail conditions. The court stressed that one out of the two sureties must be the owner of a landed property within Delta south or Central Senatorial Districts while the other must be a Civil Servant above Level 12. The court held that the bail conditions must be perfected before the Assistant Director with sureties swearing to the affidavit of means as well as pro

Insecurity: Okowa warns residents, traders against harbouring criminals Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa …inaugurates farmers market, Gardens in Asaba DELTA State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday warned residents of the State, particularly traders against harbouring criminals, insisting that it was a source of security risk to the entire state. Okowa who issued the warning while inaugurating Gardens, farmers’ market with its ancillary facilities of water borehole, toilets, among others sited at the popular Abraka Market at the Asaba axis of the Benin-Onitsha expressway, told shop owners to reciprocate government gesture by taking ownership and protecting the facilities from vandals. Illegal motor parks, notorious suya spots and brothels had sprung up around the market, making it a breeding ground for criminals. But the state government through the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, DSCTDA reclaimed the area, and converted some parts of it to the farm

Ogoni land is polluted, give us loans to start up trading, women beg HYPREP Ogoni land, polluted with oil spills Women from the four local government areas of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Rivers State have pleaded with the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, to release loans to them to start-up businesses. This call was following the Needs Assessment report on the Livelihood Programmes of HYPREP for women in Ogoni, which was released in Port Harcourt during an Advocacy Meeting with Legislative Leaders and Councilors in  Ogoniland , organised by KEBETKACHE Women Development & Resource Centre. The report conducted by KABETKACHE and Coalition of Ogoni Women, COW, showed that 59.1 per cent women clamoured for loans to trade, while 21.1 per cent women opted for technical skills and 11 per cent chose to delve into Agriculture. Speaking, Dr Patience Osaro-jiji, member of  COW, and leader of the research team, in her presentation before the legislative members of the f

Fraudster makes shocking confession on how he slept inside coffin in Benin, kill a white woman after she sent him N1 billion (video) A fraudster in Ghana who went to Benin in 2009 to perform rituals for money has narrated how it all happened. In a video, the man revealed he slept in a coffin.

No mask, no access to train service — Amaechi By Dirisu Yakubu – Abuja Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has urged security personnel at the Abuja train stations not to allow anyone access into the railway complex without wearing a face mask. The minister stated this while on a visit to the Idu, Abuja train terminal to inspect passengers’ compliance to COVID-19 safety measures, following the reopening of the Abuja – Kaduna train services after a four-month lockdown occasioned by the pandemic. Amaechi noted that the incidences of eminent personalities flouting the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC COVID-19 safety measures at airports will not be condoned at train st While calling on Nigerians to imbibe the simple, safety basics, he noted that “protecting ourselves against COVID-19 takes no special training.” He also debunked claims by the National Assembly that the amount of indebtedness of the country to foreign countries is tantamount to ceding the country’s s

Nigeria, US sign air transport agreement By Johnbosco Agbakwuru – Abuja The Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday approved the ratification of Air transport agreement between Nigeria and the United States of America, USA. The air transport bilateral agreement is to strengthen economic, social, and cultural ties between the two countries. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the 10th virtual FEC, meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari and coordinated from the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja. Alhaji Mohammed stood in for the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika. According to him, “The Aviation Minister presented a memo today (Wednesday) on the approval for ratification of the air transport agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States of American “The minister sought the council’s approval for ratification of the air trans

COVID-19: Delta waives interest, penalties on tax. Ifeanyi Okowa By Festus Ahon DELTA State Governor,  Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Wednesday approved a waiver of interest and penalties on established tax audit liabilities emanating from tax audit carried out by the Delta State Internal Revenue Service from 2011-2019 as part of its effort to cushion the effect of the dwindling economy on taxpayers in the State. The Governor in a statement issued by the State Director of Information, Mr Dona Obuseh said; “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public,particularly the taxpaying public, that His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, has approved a waiver of interest and penalties on established tax audit liabilities emanating from tax audit carried out by the Delta State Internal Revenue Service from 2011-2019. “The waiver is in addition to the palliative measure published in the Vanguard and The Pointer newspapers of 28th May 2020, in line with government policy of ensu

Minister Of Transportation Appeals To Reps To Stop Probe Of N500m Chinese Loan . The Minister Of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has appealed to the National Assembly to halt its probe of the 500 million dollars loan from the Chinese government. Amaechi made the appeal during an investigative hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties and Protocols on Wednesday. According to the him, the loan which is meant for the completion of the Federal Government’s rail projects may be truncated by the Chinese government if it suspects that there is a disagreement between the executive and the legislature. The minister also argued that constant probing of the investigation may suggest that an arm of government does not agree with the loan and may cause the Chinese government to withdraw it.

Nigerian govt has recovered N800billion looted funds, says Lai Mohammed Federal government has announced that it has recovered looted funds in excess of N800bn with over 1,400 convictions secured in its famed anti-corruption fight.

We will bring oil coys in our domain to their knees if… ― Ndokwa youths warn FG. By Ochuko Akuopha -KWALE Youths Wing of Ndokwa Neku Union, NNU, has issued a two weeks ultimatum to the Federal Government, FG, accede to their demands, failing which it would bring oil companies operating in the Ndokwa nation to their knees.  Youths of the ethnic nationality, at a press conference held a Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State, warned that any attempt by the Federal Government to sell any of the marginal oil fields in their domain to non-indigenes “will be met with full-scale resistance. A statement containing the ultimatum signed by Comrades Afam Ogbolu, Bright Enueshike and Azuka  Odanike urged the Federal Government to “immediately compel all multinational oil companies in Ndokwa Nation to sign a favourable Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with host communities in Ndokwa Nation, and abide by it. “It is crystal clear that the FG is trying to cut out Ndokwa nation fro

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‘It’s A Wicked Lie’: Senator Urhoghide Denies Getting NDDC Contracts File photo: Senator Matthew Urhoghide. Photo: Facebook@Senator Matthew Aisagbonriodion Urhoghide     Senator Matthew Urhoghide has denied claims he was awarded contracts by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).  Senator Urhoghide represents Edo South in the upper lawmaking body of the country and was named by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, as one of the lawmakers who benefited from contract racketeering in reports making the rounds. According to Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Urhoghide was allegedly awarded six contracts by the NDDC, a claim the lawmaker has denied. READ ALSO:   Buhari Orders Speedy Investigation Into NDDC Corruption Scandal The Senator on Wednesday said the claim by the Minister is unfortunate, describing it as untrue and a ploy to misinform the public and his constituency in particular. “For Akpabio to say I have been a beneficiary i

Naira depreciation continues, falls to N473/$ in parallel market By Babajide Komolafe The Naira depreciated further to N473 per dollar in early morning trades in the Lagos segment of the parallel market, according to naijabdcs.com platform of the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON). This represents 50 kobo loss when compared to the closing rate of N472 per dollar yesterday. Cumulatively, the naira has lost 30 percent of its value to the U.S dollars since December 31st when the parallel market rate stood at N362 per dollar. Analysts expects the naira to depreciate further as dollar scarcity intensifies due to the four months suspension of dollar sales to bureaux de change (BDC) operators by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN.

FG makes stunning revelation, says Nigerian scholarship students turn beggars in UK The FG appealed to the sponsor, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to urgently remit their allowances, tuition and other incentives of such students.

FG Recovers N800bn Looted Funds, Convicts 1,400 – Lai Mohammed Mr Lai Mohammed   The Federal Government says it has recovered looted funds in excess of N800 billion with over 1,400 convictions secured. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference in the nation’s capital, Abuja. He said the current government’s fight against corruption is as strong as ever, and that the government has records to back up the claims. Mohammed added that the government also forfeited several properties suspected to have been acquired through corrupt means.

Another crisis looms in APC as party members threaten exodus Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Forum have threatened to leave the party following the decision to sideline  them in appointive positions. National coordinator of the forum, Akeem Akintayo, at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, lamented that members who toiled for the party were not rewarded after election victories. Akintayo who described politics as a game of interest appealed  to President Muhammadu Buhari to further enhance party loyalty and structures by empowering the party’s National Caretaker Committee to nominate those who participated actively to install his government into boards of government agencies and parastatals. “Issues of lack of reward system still lingers on in the party. In the recent past, mostly big names have been rewarded who may not necessarily believe in the founding principles and ideology of our party, leaving the grassroots support base w

Biggest Single Case of Looting N3.6 Billion In NDDC Revealed, Youths Demand public Prosecution of looters  NDDC’s director of Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili, in Abuja said, “Our records show that Senator Nwaoboshi used 11 front companies (owned or traceable to him) to secure a contract of N3.6 billion in September 2016, in what is perhaps the biggest single case of looting of the commission’s resources. “The said companies/business names are: Noan Integrated Services; De Towers Constructions & Allied Services Ltd; Franstine Nigeria Enterprises; Edrihide Company; Isumabe U.K. Global; Benchmark Construction & Allied Services Ltd; Millstone Allied Builders Ltd.; Nelpat Nigeria Company; Agh-Rown Ventures; Edendoma Stars International, and Antlers Construction and Allied Works Ltd.” Odili further alleged: “The inventory records show that these items were supplied and received on Senator Nwaoboshi’s business premises and warehouse. Meanwhile, the

COVID-19: Delta to cut political appointees, workers’ salaries effective from July …Says it can no longer cope with  N7.7 billion monthly wage bill FOLLOWING the dwindling global economy occasioned by the ravaging coronavirus pandemic, the Delta State Government, weekend,  said there would be a review of the salary of political appointees and workers on salary grade level 7 and above for six months with effect from July 2020. Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chiedu Ebie, who disclosed this, yesterday, while briefing newsmen in Asaba, said the decision was part of measures to overcome the debilitating effect of COVID-19 on the national economy. Saying that the state government had adopted interim fiscal measures to sustain public spending, Ebie noted that the decision to review workers’ salary was reached at a consultative meeting with the organised labour in the state. He said the review was painful, difficult but inevitable, adding that it was a sacrifice that was nee

Presidency to meet Senator over Azura Power plant controversy …Says Osinbajo, Fashola not part of Azura power deal More details are emerging on the agreement reached between the Federal Government and the Azura Power Plant indicating that the Power Purchase Agreement became operational in April 2013 with the execution of the Power Purchase Agreement followed by several other aspects of the deal coming to force soon after, years before the Buhari Administration. A top Presidency official also confirmed over the weekend that top Federal Government officials would be communicating at some point with the Senate to clarify some of the misconceptions that featured last week when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, PDP Senator Gabriel Suswam, presented a report on ‘Addressing Nigeria’s Power Sector Problems’ for debate at Plenary. In the course of that, the Senator dwelled on the Azura Power Generating Company and what the transaction was costing the Federal Government.