FocalPoint Reports

Two-storey building collapses in Port Harcourt An appendage of a two-story hotel has collapsed in the Ada-George area of Port Harcourt leaving four injured persons now receiving treatment in hospital. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the two-storey building belonging to 1708 Hotel, Rumuoke by Okilton Junction, off Ada George, collapsed at about 6.15 am on Thursday. The incident occurred when some residents of the area were still asleep, and occupants of the building who were mainly site workers, were getting ready to resume for the day’s job. Mr Emeka Woke, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works while inspecting the level of damage and causal effect of the incident, said that the government would take every measure to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the collapse. “Early this morning, the governor, Siminialaye Fubara, was informed about this building collapse and he directed that I immediately visit the site on his behalf and assess the extent of damage and rep...

Unpaid pensions: Delta Assembly grants Oborevwori’s N40bn loan request DELTA State House of Assembly has granted a request from Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for a credit facility of N40 billion from Zenith Bank Plc to defray backlog of pensions owed retired primary school teachers and local government employees in the state. The governor, in a request letter to the House, explained that the credit facility was aimed at assisting the 25 councils in the state to defray a substantial part of accrued rights of local government pensioners. The letter read at plenary by the Speaker of the House, Emomotimi Guwor, said the approval was part of conditions relevant in accessing the facility. The governor noted that at meeting held in his office with council chairmen and other stakeholders, it was resolved that a credit facility be sourced from commercial bank to pay the retirees. According to him, Zenith Bank had availed the 25 councils the said facility in a prorated manner, in tune with their r...

Why Buhari Left Nigeria To Stay In London Former President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed why he left Daura, Katsina State, for London. Buhari said he left Daura for London because he wanted to stay in a quiet place. He explained that visitors have been trooping to visit him while in his hometown of Daura. A statement by Buhari’s ex-media aide, Garba Shehu, reads: “He chose to go home in Daura hoping to find the type of quiet he wished for himself, but realizing that this was not the case, visitors trooping in morning, day and night, he moved out to a more distant place. “It remains his wish that he be allowed to have his needed rest, and for the Tinubu administration to have the right atmosphere to work on the realisation of the promises they made.” Following the end of his administration, Buhari returned to his hometown of Daura. However, the president had left Nigeria for London, after which, he met with President Bola Tinubu.

Sweden’s Quran burning sparks outrage across Muslim world Several Muslim-majority countries have condemned the burning of a copy of the Quran in Sweden at a protest. Salwan Momika, said to be an Iraqi living in Sweden, set fire to a copy of the Muslim text in front of Stockholm’s central mosque on Wednesday. Middle Eastern nations including Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt strongly criticised the burning, BBC said. And Turkey, a Nato member with a say over whether Sweden gains membership, called it a “despicable act”. Turkey – which was also angered by a Quran burning protest earlier this year – said it was “unacceptable” to allow such “anti-Islamic actions” to take place “under the pretext of freedom of expression”. Muslims consider the Quran the sacred word of God and view any intentional damage or show of disrespect towards it as deeply offensive. The Quran burning on Wednesday took place as Muslims around the world celebrated the first day of Eid al-Adha, one of the most importan...

Oborevwori Dissolve Boards,Parastatals, Agencies Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has dissolved the boards of all State Government Commissions, and Parastatals, Agencies. The announcement was contained in a statement on Tuesday June 27th 2023 by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu. According to the statement, ‘it is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly Deltans that in exercise of his constitutional powers and also, for public interest, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State has approved the immediate dissolution of board of all state Commissions, Parastatals and agencies. The statement added that for the purpose of clarity, the dissolution does not affect, the Civil Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Delta State Independent Electoral Service Commission. Others are the House of Assembly Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission, Delta State...

Delta Guber 2023: Tribunal Uphold Gbagi's Argument, Restores Counter Affidavit The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta State capital has restored the counter affidavit of the flag bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, FNIM, OON, in the March 18th 2023 general election. The tribunal restored the counter affidavit, after listening to the argument of Magaji Mato Ibrahim, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the lead counsel of the SDP gubernatorial candidate to enable the tribunal dispense justice. Addressing newsmen after the tribunal closed Pre-hearing conference on Monday 19th 2023, Ibrahim said: "The 7th respondent's  counsel thought he could play a smart one by foreclosing us. "Unfortunately for him and the client he represents, the Tribunal restored our counter affidavit having upheld our argument that for them to substantiate justice, fair hearing becomes key. Giving details of what happ...

Okowa Faces More Trouble, As NUJ Frowns At the Unbearable Attitude Of His Media Managers All is not well with the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, following the lackadaisical attitude and poor treatment of journalists by his media aides. In a Communique' issued on Thursday June 22, 2023, at the well attended emergency Congress of Indigenous Correspondents' Chapel (ICC), held at the Chapel Secretariat in Asaba, the State capital, the Chapel noted that the media aides of the former governor failed woefully in the discharge of their duties.  According to the Communique', "Congress in session frowns at the divide and rule attitude of his media managers, which seemingly made a select few chapels superior to others "Congress-in-session notes with dismay, that over the years, the lndigenous Correspondents' Chapel which is the strategic link between government and the grassroots, has consecutively and flagrantly been marginalized ...

Social Movement Coordinator, Temienor Oghenekevwe Welcomes Baby Boy  National Coordinator of Social Movement for Good Governance, Prince Temienor Oghenekevwe has welcomed a baby. Temienor who was a candidate of the Social Democratic Party SDP for Ughelli South Constituency during the 2023 House of Assembly election in Delta State, announced the child’s birth recently on his social media page on Monday day June 19th, 2023. The birth of the child comes a few weeks after the young politician arrived Eyara, Ughelli South Local government area from Abuja where he led his group at the inauguration  ceremony of President Bola Tinubu. Announcing the newest arrival of the child he said. "My wife has given me a Man," he wrote. “We feel blessed and happy to receive the heavenly gift. My wife and the baby are amazingly good.   

DSS Interrogates Suspended EFCC Boss  Over Role in Naira Redesign Policy Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) are interrogating the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),  Abdulrasheed Bawa  over his role in the naira redesign policy.  Bawa is currently in the custody of the DSS in Abuja, under investigation for alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as the EFCC chairman. He was suspended indefinitely as chairman of the anti-graft agency by President Bola Tinubu on June 14, and shortly afterward, he was taken into DSS custody. According to Daily Trust, Bawa is been grilled by DSS interrogators over his role in the currency redesign policy initiated by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),  Godwin Emefiele , who is also in the custody of the secret police. A source told the newspaper that the suspended EFCC chairman is being grilled over allegations of mismanagement, misappropriat...

Gbagi Accuses Okowa, Oborevwori Of Been Behind N10 Million Supreme Court Fine Rumour ...clarifies true position, describe report as irresponsible fake news Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, OON has said that the N10 million Supreme Court fine rumour making the rounds, is the handiwork of the former governor of the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his successor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. Gbagi, a renowned Criminologist, spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, on Tuesday June 20th 2023. It would be recall that a faceless writer in the figment of his imagination wrote that "the Supreme Court today, June 19, 2023, slammed a costs of Ten Million Naira against Chief Kenneth Gbagi for filing a frivolous application to join an appeal challenging  Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's candidacy as the PDP governorship candidate". But in a swift reaction, Gbag...

Gbagi Prays Tribunal To Dismiss Applications Seeking To Strike Out His Petition, As Pre-trial Ends Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Delta State in the March 18th 2023 governorship election, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, has asked the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba to dismiss applications seeking to strike out grounds A and B and some paragraphs counsels to his opponents finds "offensive" in his petition. At the resume Pre-hearing conference on Monday 19th June 2023, the three-member panel of the tribunal headed by Justice C.H Ahuchaogu, asked counsels to present their applications if any for treatment. Counsels to the 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th Respondents, argued that grounds A and B and some other  paragraphs they found "offensive" to their clients be struck out of the petition filed by the former minister of State for Education. The Respondents' counsels cited several Court of Appeal rulings as their basis for...

Chief Mulade Celebrates Governor Oborevwori at 60 Abuja: Delta-born human and environmental rights activist, Comrade Mulade Sheriff has congratulated the Delta State Governor, Chief Sheriff F. O. Oborevwori on his 60th birthday anniversary. In a statement personally signed by him and made available to newsmen, Comrade Mulade Sheriff thanked the Governor for his unwavering support towards building a better Delta State and the next generation (youths) for leadership roles in the State. He extended his warmest birthday wishes to the new Governor, and expressed confidence in his capacity and ability to navigate and surmount complex challenges. He commended the Governor for his efforts at fostering partnerships and takes tough decisions for a better Delta State within a short period of his being in office, describing it as encouraging and inspiring. “As we celebrate this special day, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to God  Almighty for His infinite mercy and grace u...

Safe and health pregnancy Antenatal Care, Safe Delivery, and Postpartum Care Tips for Expectant Mothers UNICEF UNICEF/2022/Esiebo Motherhood is an incredible journey filled with countless milestones, memories, and moments of pure joy. it's natural to feel a mix of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. But with preparation and knowledge, you can feel empowered and confident as you navigate the world of antenatal care, safe delivery, and postpartum care. Whether you're a first-time mom or a seasoned pro, there are always new things to learn for staying healthy, happy, and well-supported during this transformative time. So, let's explore some actionable tips and strategies for navigating this exciting, sometimes challenging time. Antenatal care UNICEF/2022/Esiebo Antenatal care is healthcare provided during pregnancy to monitor the health of the mother and baby. It is important for ensuring a safe pregnancy and childbirth by detecting potential problems early and providin...

The PenGlobal Watch Magazine launched in Delta as Abai gets commendation, assurances of support The PENGlobal Watch magazine, themed “A Magnum Opus collection” is the maiden edition of the quarterly magazine which was unveiled Wednesday June 14, 2023 and reports on trends as well as give accurate and promotional coverages to events. While delivering his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO/ Brand Director, Abai Francis, disclosed that the company is a brand that is into the promotion and development of brands, and that the magazine contains entertaining and educative contents with focus about happenings in the Niger Delta region, especially with more attention given to the riverine areas so as to bridge the gap of underreporting to draw government and other relevant stakeholders attention to addressing the myriads of challenges facing the region. The Ijaw National Congress (INC) President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba who was represented by High Chief Prefu...

TRIBUNAL: "I'm Highly Optimistic Of Victory", Says SDP Counsel, Magaji The lead counsel to Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, OON, governorship candidate on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Magaji Mato Ibrahim, SAN, has expressed confidence that his client would coast to victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta State capital. His optimism comes in the wake of the overwhelming evidences he and the legal team would put forward in due course, the replies of the Respondents, agreeing to Gbagi's petition and the recent withdrawal of Labour Party (LP), governorship candidate, Ken Pela, from the tribunal. Ibrahim, gave the assurance shortly after the tribunal headed by Justice C. H. Ahuchaogu, on Tuesday June 13th 2023, adjourned the petition until 19th June to enable all parties tidy all applications. Responding to a question put forward to him by a journalist, whether he was optimistic of victory, the ...

SDP Lawyer, Magaji Speaks On Withdrawal Of LP Guber Candidate, Ken Pela From Tribunal About two weeks after the governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP), in the March 18, 2023 general election, Ken Pela withdrew his petition against his Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori, the lead counsel to Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, OON, Magaji Mato Ibrahim,SAN said the action is a good omen to the SDP. Pela, in an application through his lawyers, withdrew his petition against Oborevwori and PDP during June 1st Pre-hearing conference before it was adjourned to June 13th. Speaking on the matter, Magaji said: "At the last sitting, we saw it. It was a petition that was separately filed by Labour Party and their candidate. "And they themselves came that for whatever reason they say they are withdrawing. "Of course, that is a plus because they are also part of the candidates that we are challenging.  "We are saying they ought not ...

Mulade Congratulates Guwor  as Delta House of Assembly Speaker  Warri: A renowned Delta State born Environmentalist and development advocate Comrade (Chief) Mulade Sheriff has congratulated Hon Emomotimi Guwor as speaker of Delta State House of Assembly  and for his successful election and inauguration. While congratulating Hon Emomotimi Guwor as the Speaker of the oil-rich Delta State, he described his emergence as a well deserved one, Chief Mulade called on members of the hallowed chamber to kindly give him all necessary support to enable us have a formidable Legislative arm of government with people oriented development policies that will strengthen the state government led by Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori as executive Governor to achieve his MORE Agenda for Deltans. I equally call on the new speaker and his colleagues to give maximum support and cooperation to the Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori administration for a better Delta, just as he implored othe...

Tribunal Adjourns Gbagi’s Petition Against Oborevwori, Others to 19th June The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta State capital has adjourned hearing in Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi’s petition, governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), challenging Sheriff Oborevwori’s victory as governor of the state. Oborevwori, who was the candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), was declared the winner of the March 18th 2023 gubernatorial contest in the State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but is being challenged by the former minister of State for Education over illegibility. A three-member panel of the tribunal headed by Justice C. H Ahuchaogu, on Tuesday June 13th 2023, adjourned the petition until 19th June to enable all parties tidy all applications. Addressing journalists shortly after adjournment, Gbagi’s lead counsel, Magaji Mato Ibrahim, SAN, said: “There are so many applications by way of moti...

Okumagba Congratulates Onowakpo, Dafinone, Waive, National Assembly Members on Successful Inauguration Prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State and member of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, has congratulated the APC as well as other National Assembly members representing Delta State on their successful inauguration, on June 13, 2023, as members of the 10th National Assembly. In a Press Statement, he commended them for the hard work they have put in thus far, and the commitment to serve their respective constituencies in Delta state. He therefore urged them to ensure equitable distribution of development among their constituents, stay true to their commitment to social justice, accountability and good governance, in the course of their tenures in the red and green chambers, respectively.   The former Commissioner of Finance in Delta State reminded them of the state of the natio...

DEMOCRACY DAY: Gbagi Urges Deltans To Be Optimistic About Nigeria Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, OON has called on Nigerians particularly Deltans to be optimistic about the future of the country and the State despite the challenges facing the nation today. Gbagi, the largest employer of labour made the appeal in his goodwill message issued on Sunday June 11th 2023, by his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, on the occasion of the nation’s Democracy Day. The renowned Criminologist said that the nation held abundant promises for the citizens, adding that Nigeria and Delta State have what it takes to overcome today’s threats and trials. The former minister of State for Education, encouraged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the citizens to re-dedicate themselves to the virtues of equity, justice, tolerance and strive to give their best for the good of the nation. He recall that Democracy Day is a day the military...

DSS: ‘Identity Of Others To Be Interrogated Alongside Emefiele Revealed The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to interrogate others alongside the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. In the move to investigate Emefiele also a little longer, the DSS on Tuesday is expected to obtain an order to keep him in their custody for as long as his interrogation will last. A source that spoke with Punch on the development said the DSS would likely approach the court to obtain an order to detain Emefiele for an indefinite period. Naija News recalls that President Bola Tinubu on Friday suspended Emefiele from office with immediate effect. Emefiele was suspended with a move to reform the financial sector of the economy. This was stated in a statement released by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey. Emefiele was directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the ...

Court Restrains Anighoro, Others From Parading As Leaders Of Delta Civil Society  The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has ordered Rex Anighoro, Okezi Odugala, Eris Ibi Jewo and others to stop parading themselves as the Executives of the Delta State Civil Society Organization Community, pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed against them by Dr Martins Kediehon and others. The court presided over by Justice V.O Agboje, on Thursday 25, May 2023, granted an interim order restraining Rex Anighoro and others from further parading themselves as chairman and members of the Board of Trustees of the Delta State Civil Society Organization Community. The court ruled that pending the next hearing and the determination of the motion, Rex Anighoro and others should comply with the ruling and court judgement. Justice V.O Agboje, also restrained Mr Venture Evwerame, Mr Augusta Impact Keneboh, Mr Egbe Ambrose, Beauty Elo, Courage Ayovuata, Pat Akah, Izobo John, F...

CSO DELCOF TO TAKE ACTION ON PLASTIC APOCALYPSE IN 12 STATES OF NIGERIA Delta State Civil Society Organizations Forum (DELCOF) have called on State and Non state actors, regulators, Policy makers , community based organizations and business owners to take and adopt innovative  solutions to reduce plastic pollution in the country. While speaking in a sustainability conference tagged the UN Environment Programme, organized by the United State Agency for International Development(USAID) in Partnership with DELCOF and the Federal Ministry of Environment,  Dr. Andrew Agboro , Chairman Delta State Civil Society Organizations Forum (DELCOF) said the World Environment Day 2023 is a reminder for all to take action on plastic pollution matters to accelerate a circular economy. The symposium brought together individuals, experts, policymakers, academia, and organizations from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to create a more inclusive and effective conversation around env...

Nigeria tops with $812.2m as airlines’ unrepatriated funds hit $2.27bn – IATA  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has revealed that Nigeria tops the list of countries in which airlines’ funds blocked from repatriation account for 68% worldwide. IATA said the airlines’ funds blocked from repatriation increased from $1.55 billion in April 2022 to $2.27 billion in April 2023.  The association warned that the rapidly rising levels of airline funds blocked from repatriation pose a danger to airline connectivity in the affected markets, as it said the increase amounted to 47%. “Airlines cannot continue to offer services in markets where they are unable to repatriate the revenues arising from their commercial activities in those markets,” IATA’s Director-General Willie Walsh said in a statement. He disclosed that governments need to work with industry to resolve this situation so airlines can continue to provide the connectivity that is vital to driving economic activ...

Stop Blackmail Against Ndiomu, Group Warns Niger Delta Integrity Group, NDIG has linked media attacks on the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd), to supporters of political opposition. NDIG Convener, Dr. Boma Horsfall, in a statement, accused those who worked against President Bola Tinubu at the February 25 presidential polls of being behind the recent blackmail of Ndiomu, insisting that their actions were not altruistic but “grossly a show of their anger at the emergence of Tinubu as the President of Nigeria.” Horsfall said that the reasons adduced by the faceless group against the person of Ndiomu and his leadership were baseless, frivolous and a concoction of fairy tales and primitive. The statement read: “They should therefore shut their mouths and bury their heads in shame, as it is now crystal clear that the reason why they want Ndiomu out is because he has refused to do their criminal bidding. “It is sad that the re...

PAP: Ndiomu is Loved Accepted Across Niger Delta, Political opposition behind attacks..Group Niger Delta Integrity Group, NDIG has linked media attacks on the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd), to supporters of political opposition. NDIG Convener, Dr. Boma Horsfall, in a statement, accused those who worked against President Bola Tinubu at the February 25 presidential polls of being behind the recent blackmail of Ndiomu, insisting that their actions were not altruistic but “grossly a show of their anger at the emergence of Tinubu as the President of Nigeria.” Horsfall said that the reasons adduced by the faceless group against the person of Ndiomu and his leadership were baseless, frivolous and a concoction of fairy tales and primitive. The statement read: “They should therefore shut their mouths and bury their heads in shame, as it is now crystal clear that the reason why they want Ndiomu out is because he ha...