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Ogunbiyi Vows to Replicate Mutual Benefits Assurance’s Success in Osun

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Akin Ogunbiyi Mutual Benefits

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The governorship candidate of Accord Party in the forthcoming election in Osun State, Mr Akin Ogunbiyi, has promised to replicate the success he achieved at Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc in the state if elected governor this year.

Residents of the 30-year-old state head to the polls on July 16, 2022, and Mr Ogunbiyi, who is the founder and group chairman of Mutual Benefits, believes he has what it takes to provide a sustainable economy for the state.

In a chat with newsmen in Osogbo, the entrepreneur said Osun State should not have any reason to be in the same sentence with underdevelopment based on the huge human and material resources it is blessed with.

According to him, the state has arable farmland covering over 9000 kilometres, mineral deposits, tourist sites, and aquatic habitat, among others, but despite these, it “remains in the backwater of underdevelopment.”

He pointed out that the resources have been badly managed to the extent that it ranks third in the list of most indebted states in Nigeria, with over N200 billion debt overhang; while it receives a lean N1.7 billion monthly allocation from the federation account (due to deductions) and generates a lowly N13 billion monthly revenue.

The graduate of Agricultural Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, said with very few viable capital projects, which come in form of future investments, Osun State battles low productivity, unemployment and poverty.

But he assured that if elected next month, he will transform the state into an enviable one as he will reengineer the economy to become more viable and buoyant, a far cry from its present comatose state.

The self-acclaimed “venturer” stressed that he will look “for opportunities to create and deliver value” as he will “approach leadership from an entrepreneurial and revenue-generating mindset and not just sit down and depend solely on monthly federal allocation.”

“We must strive to end Osun State economy rallying around three services: civil servants, teachers and peasant farmers,” he said pledging to work in tandem with his Accord Party’s philosophy and manifesto, which is anchored on “corporatism, popularism and capitalism.”

“If elected governor, l will first and foremost, work to guarantee the security of lives and property in the state. Since security is the main purpose of government, we will rejig the security architecture in the state to ensure better results.

“We will invest in these two sectors to ensure sound minds, healthy and wealthy citizenry.

“We will also create jobs for our teeming but now largely idle youths. We will also do this by creating an enabling environment to will Osun State an investment-friendly state.

“If elected governor, l will also initiate and sustain an agricultural revolution in the state, by utilising our vast arable land, not only to attain food security but to generate huge revenue from the sector.

“We will make soft loans available for small-scale farmers to produce food and crop crops and by so doing, provide jobs for many Osun youths,” Mr Ogunbiyi promised.

Speaking further, he vowed to pursue massive infrastructural development in the rural areas and concentrate his envisioned agricultural revolution among the rural populace.

“We will unleash our energies and resources to boost industrialisation in the state by maximizing the benefits of our vast mineral resources-gold, kaoline, iron ore, Talc, columbite, etc. located in different parts of the state.

“We will intensify the mining of these deposits at a commercial level that will be beneficial to the state. We won’t play politics with such revenue-yielding ventures or enter into deals that will short-change the state.

“We will also assist artisans, women groups and youths through skill acquisition and soft loans to enable be self-sustaining and become employers of labour,” he said.

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Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today

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Abuja Night of Glory

By Blaise Udunze

Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.

The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.

Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.

Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.

The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.

Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.

Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.

Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.

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Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC

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rivers speaker Martin Amaewhule defect

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.

This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.

The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.

This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.

A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.

Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.

It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.

Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN

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energy sector

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.

The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.

Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.

According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.

“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.

He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.

Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.

He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.

“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.

On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.

“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.

Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.

He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.

“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.

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