General
Olukoyede Advocates Collaboration Amid Rising West, Central Africa Illicit Flows
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has raised the alarm over the escalating threat of illicit financial flows and cyber-enabled fraud draining the economies of West and Central Africa.
This has led the EFCC helmsman to call for urgent inter-agency collaboration and long-term investment in law enforcement capacity to combat the crisis.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day regional training workshop themed Strengthening Capacity and Coordination against Transnational Regional Financial Crimes, organized by Interpol and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), he warned that criminal enterprises are evolving quickly, and increasingly transnational in nature.
“The security challenges we face in this region today are largely funded by money laundering and illicit financial flows. Our poorly regulated mining sectors, cash-based economies, and an ungoverned virtual assets ecosystem have made West and Central Africa extremely vulnerable.
“Recent EFCC operations have uncovered syndicates involving foreign nationals, especially from Southern Asia. They are setting up operational cells in Nigeria and other countries. Dismantling such networks requires a coordinated, multi-agency response both locally and internationally,” he stated.
The EFCC boss emphasized the need for collaboration beyond borders, through intelligence sharing, joint tactical operations, and specialized training, especially in new frontiers like sextortion and crypto scams.
“We are not just dealing with traditional financial crimes anymore. The future of economic security in our region depends on how fast we can adapt to the evolving typologies of cybercrime,” he said.
Mr Olukoyede, who also serves as President of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa, NACIWA, outlined a vision for tighter regional enforcement partnerships.
“My goal is to ensure that all anti-corruption agencies in West Africa collaborate through sustained training, joint operations, and data sharing to make the region a hostile environment for financial criminals. The EFCC is committed to this vision and maintains robust relations with both international and domestic law enforcement agencies,” he stated.
On his part, Mr Susumu Yuzurio, JICA’s Chief Representative in Nigeria, said his agency’s mission aligns with halting these illicit flows as part of broader human security and sustainable development objectives.
“Money laundering and other transnational financial crimes pose direct threats to national and regional security. We aim to build stronger institutions and contribute to global goals like the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, ensuring no one is left behind.”
He emphasized the critical role of professionals attending the training, including investigators, prosecutors, regulators, and judges, in defending the region’s financial systems.
“It is your vigilance, expertise, and integrity that form the first line of defence against these crimes,” he said.
Also speaking, Theos Badege, Director Pro Tempore of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, IFCACC, said the training would equip regional personnel with tools to trace illicit flows, map criminal networks, and understand new crime patterns.
“Knowledge alone is not enough. We need your commitment, and that of your leaders, to prioritize continuous cross-border collaboration and sustained enforcement action.”
The workshop drew participants from anti-corruption agencies in Ghana, Rwanda, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, and Southern Africa, as part of a growing regional response to rising financial crime threats that continue to erode public finances, disincentivize investment, and facilitate organized crime.
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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