General
FIRS Chair Adedeji Meets Tinubu Over Closure of Abuja Offices by FCTA
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Zacch Adedeji, has met with President Bola Tinubu to resolve the closure of the agency’s office in Abuja by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over an alleged ground rent default.
Mr Adedeji has since gone to the presidential Villa to meet with President Tinubu to seek a quick resolution to the matter after it raised worries about friction between the federal agency and the sub-national authority.
Business Post had reported on Monday that the FCTA accused the FIRS of owing 25 years of unpaid ground rent on two of its properties located at No. 12 and No. 14 Sokode Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. Others like Access Bank and TotalEnergies petrol station were also sealed.
The service has strongly condemned what it described as an unwarranted and embarrassing invasion of its offices in Abuja on Monday.
During a press conference held at the FIRS headquarters in Abuja, senior officials of the agency, including the Director of Facility Management, Mr Tyofa Abeghe; Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr Kunle Ogidi; and the Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Dare Adekanmbi, decried the action by FCTA officials and demanded a public apology.
“The allegation that we owe ground rent is completely false,” said Mr Abeghe said, “We received a demand notice dated September 2023 from the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), and we responded appropriately. The amount of N2,364,003.26 was paid within three months of receiving that notice.”
Mr Abeghe further explained that after the payment was made, the agency became concerned that no official receipt or confirmation had been issued.
He claimed that to address the issue, he wrote a follow-up letter dated February 19, 2024, to AGIS requesting confirmation of the payment and the issuance of a treasury receipt. The letter, he said, was acknowledged by AGIS but was never acted upon.
“Despite our due diligence, our offices were invaded as if we were lawbreakers,” Mr Abeghe said, “This is not only embarrassing but entirely unjustified.”
On his part, the Mr Ogidi described the incident as “administrative rascality,” and criticized the FCTA for acting without verifying records.
“If they had taken the time to review the records, they would have seen that the rent had been settled,” Mr Ogidi said, adding that “This is not how two government agencies should relate.”
He emphasized that the FIRS is a responsible and law-abiding institution that would never default on statutory obligations such as ground rent.
“For the record,” Mr Ogidi continued, “FIRS does not owe FCTA ground rent on any of its properties within the Federal Capital Territory—including the two offices that were unjustly sealed.”
Providing further clarity, Mr Adekanmbi, expressed disbelief over the logic behind the FCTA’s claim.
“FIRS has about seven offices on Sokode Crescent alone. Why would we pay ground rent on five and deliberately refuse to pay on two?” he asked. “Does that make any logical or administrative sense?”
Mr Adekanmbi stressed that such actions could damage inter-agency trust and disrupt the operations of public institutions.
“The sealing of our offices inconvenienced not just our staff, but also taxpayers and stakeholders who depend on FIRS services. It was unnecessary and completely avoidable,” he said.
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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