Author: Vera

Ten worshippers have been confirmed dead after a building housing Salvation Ministry in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State collapsed. Point News247 reports that the church building collapsed at about 5:55 pm on Tuesday during service and some worshippers have been trapped in the rubbles. According to reports, eight persons have been rescued unhurt while four persons were taken to the Asaba Specialist Hospital. Worshippers and family members are searching for loved ones as Community youths, state firefighters and a team of policemen have been mobilised for rescue operations. Delta Government officials, including Secretary to the State…

Point News reports that the United Kingdom (UK) has “temporarily suspended” its flexi appointment service for visa applicants in Nigeria. The service allows the submission of applications during the opening hours of the Visa Application Centre (VAC) or before and after the applicant’s scheduled appointment date. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday. The UK said the decision to suspend the service is for the safety of customers. “To protect the safety of customers waiting outside of our Visa Application Centres, the Flexi Appointment (walk-in) service has been temporarily suspended. You will not be able to book one…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has refuted claims that the nation’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) server was hacked. Point News247 reports that this was revealed in a statement by the Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz. Reports made the rounds on Monday that the NIMC server was hacked and over three million National Identification Number, NIN, of Nigerians stolen. The NIMC said they were fully optimised at the highest international security levels. The statement read in part, “Over the years, through painstaking efforts, NIMC has built a robust and credible system for Nigeria’s identity database. “The Commission and its…

Point News247 reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund (NDITF). President Buhari gave the approval at the presentation of a compendium entitled +600 Diaspora Icons @ 60, published by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) at the State House, Abuja. NDITF is a private sector investment window with Nigerians in the Diaspora to support direct investments in the country. Buhari said Nigeria is open to welcoming the Diaspora Direct Investment by compatriots abroad. He also pledged support for the establishment of the Diaspora Intervention Fund to support the Commission to fulfil…

Point News247 reports that Nigeria’s former head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, is dead. Shonekan, a boardroom guru before his selection to head the Interim National Government, died in Lagos at the age of 85. He was the Chairman of the interim National Government between August 26 and November 17 1993 when he was ousted in a palace coup led by late General Sani Abacha who was Secretary of Defence. In a condolence message, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), noted that “Shonekan demonstrated to all that the love for country and commitment to her development, peace…

With the dawn of a new year, Deltans have been urged to embrace prayers and peaceful coexistence as the only way to ensure progress in 2022. Point News247 reports that foremost Delta Governorship aspirant, legal practitioner and the Okiemute’re Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, Olorogun Barrister Fred Okiemute Majemite, made this call in his new year message to Deltans. Majamite sent New Year greetings to incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the entire people of Delta State. Majemite in a new year Message, said year 2022 is a year to demonstrate togetherness, peace, patience, tolerance and show love to our neighbors because…

Poet and activist Maya Angelou has become the first Black woman to appear on the US quarter, in a new version of the coin unveiled by the US Mint on Monday. Angelou, author of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” will also be the first figure commemorated through the American Women Quarters Program, which was signed into law in January 2021. Point News247 reports that the US Mint “has begun shipping the first coins” with Angelou’s likeness on the American quarter, a 25-cent piece, according to a press release from the agency. “It is my honor to present our…

The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency has urged state governments to step up mass vaccination against COVID-19 as part of moves to combat the virus. The agency, in its latest advisory obtained by Point News247, also urged state governors to enact and enforce vaccination mandate for local and state government workers. This came to fore as the percentage for fully vaccinated Nigerians stalled at 4.2 per cent while those that had taken their first dose remained grounded at 9.8 per cent as of Sunday, January 9, 2021. The NCDC in its daily updates continued to report increase in the number…

The Economic Community of West African States will impose additional sanctions on the military junta in Mali, withdraw all ECOWAS Ambassadors in the country, and close land and air borders between the ECOWAS member states and Mali. Point News247 reports that this was the resolution of the Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Accra, Ghana, on Sunday, January 9, 2021. The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed this on Monday in a statement titled, ‘ECOWAS countries to shut all borders against Mali, recall ambassadors, reject…

In reaction to newly imposed sanctions, Mali’s ruling junta says it “strongly” condemns “illegal” sanctions imposed on the country by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Point News247 reports that this position was contained in a statement read on national television Monday. The military regime’s spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga announced the recall of Bamako’s ambassadors to the West African nations involved and the closure of air and land borders with them. ECOWAS and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) on Sunday imposed a range of economic and diplomatic measures against Mali, including border closures and a…