General
Women Coalition Opposes Planned Resumption of Oil Production in Ogoniland
By Adedapo Adesanya
As Nigeria makes moves to resume oil extraction in Ogoniland, a coalition of Ogoni women’s groups has strongly opposed the development.
Recall that Nigeria is looking to resume proper oil production in the largely contested Ogoniland in the oil-rich Niger Delta area of the country after more than 30 years.
In January, President Bola Tinubu received Ogoni leaders including Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State at the Aso Villa alongside Mr Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Business Post reports that at the meeting, the women’s groups were not adequately represented.
In the latest development, the women’s coalition has kicked against the planned resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland, warning that unresolved issues of ecological destruction, social injustice, and historical grievances must be addressed.
In a joint statement, the women expressed deep concern that the government and oil companies are prioritizing oil extraction over the full cleanup of decades-old pollution in Ogoniland.
The statement was signed by multiple Ogoni women’s organizations, including Mba Okase Initiative, Eleme; Eedee Ladies of Tai; We the People; Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre; Concern Ogoni Daughter; League of Queens Intl; Ogoni Women Development Initiative; and the Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA).
The coalition insists that until justice, environmental restoration, and economic recovery are achieved, oil extraction must not resume in Ogoniland.
“How does one explain the fact that a site supposedly being cleaned up will resume full oil extraction activities with all the pollution that comes with it?” the statement queried.
The groups reminded the government of the unresolved grievances that led to Shell’s forced exit from Ogoniland in 1993, following widespread protests led by the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP)
“The concerns raised in the Ogoni Bill of Rights, which led to the termination of oil extraction and the repression of the people, have not been addressed,” they stated.
The women further condemned the lack of justice for the victims of the 1990s military crackdown, including the execution of environmental activist, Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders in 1995.
l“No apology has been rendered for the destruction of our environment, the killing of our people, the loss of our livelihoods, the destruction of our villages, the forced exile of our people, and the murder of our leaders,” the statement emphasized.
They also criticized the government’s decision to push for oil resumption despite the incomplete cleanup efforts led by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
The coalition called for an immediate halt to any oil resumption plans and urged the government to focus on decommissioning old infrastructure, fully implementing the UNEP cleanup recommendations, and providing justice and economic restoration for the Ogoni people.
“To assume that extraction can commence while these issues remain unresolved is naive at best and cruel at worst,” the coalition declared.
Nigeria is exploring all avenues to increase its oil production to 2.06 million barrels despite facing challenges including lack of infrastructure and insecurity.
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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