General
Buhari Pledges to Constitute New NDDC Board Soon
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that a new board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) would be constituted at the end of the implementation of the recommendations of the forensic audit report which is in phases.
He made the pledge to inaugurate the new NDDC board while declaring open the 5th National Council Meeting on Niger Delta held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He said: “In response to the call of the governors of the South-south geopolitical zone for a forensic audit of NDDC, I undertook some critical reforms and requested a forensic audit of NDDC from inception in 2000 to 2019.
“The report of the audit has bèen submitted and the implementation of its recommendations has commenced in phases.
“I hereby assured you that this process will eventually bring about the constitution of a new board for the commission, which is the desire of most stakeholders in the region.”
The President, who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahe, lauded the leaders and youths of the region for their hard work which has brought relative peace and security being experienced in the region.
This, he said, would certainly accelerate the development of the region and provide opportunities to improve basic services, promote economic growth, and enterprise development and attract development into the Niger Delta region.
Mr Buhari said that the theme of the council meeting Harnessing 21st Century Development Initiative and Strategies for Greater Development Impact in the Niger Delta was appropriate as it would stimulate proper coordination of developmental programmes and projects in the region.
He disclosed that the Strategic Implementation Work Plan (SIWP), a framework meant to address the strategic objectives raised in the federal government’s 20-point agenda and the Pan Niger Delta Forum’s (PANDEF), 16-point agenda was already in operation.
He explained that the SIWP tool provided a strategic framework for the coordination of investment into development and stabilisation interventions in the Niger Delta region to ensure maximum efficiency and impact at a critical time.
According to the President, “this is another effort to ensure a paradigm shift from the old ways of projects imprisonment without synergy among various operators in the region.”
Mr Buhari noted that the new leadership in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has prioritised the implementation of the harmonisation of all developmental plans of all agencies and development partners operating in the region into a single integrated regional development plan as a road map to accelerate the development of the region.
He said: “As stakeholders, you must engage your minds as you deliberate in this meeting today on issues of economic diversification, fostering economic growth, eradication of extreme poverty, promotion of social inclusion, creation of jobs, and stemming environmental degradation including climate change in the region.”
On his part, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Umana Okon Umana, stressed that the meeting was a very important item on the calendar of events in the ministry as it also offers the NDDC and stakeholders the opportunity to take stock of collective engagement with the mandate of reinventing the Niger Delta region.
In order to achieve its mandate, Umana said the ministry has actively partnered and collaborated with other relevant agencies, development partners, international oil companies (IOCs), and other stakeholders on infrastructure development, investment in social services, and institutional capacity building for the Niger Delta region.
He said the federal government is committed not just to completing the East-West Road but also to turning the Eleme section of the road into a super expressway to underscore its strategic value derived from the quantum of investments across Eleme-Onne axis of the road in Rivers State.
General
Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today
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.
General
Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC
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.
General
Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN
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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