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Entries Open for 2018 Nigerian Legal Awards

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By Dipo Olowookere

Organisers of the annual ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards, Legal Blitz Limited, have announced Sunday, November 4, 2018, as the date for hosting this year’s edition of the awards.

To this end, Nigerian law firms and in-house legal department officials, involved in the successful execution of landmark commercial deals across various sector of the Nigerian economy, have been asked to send in their entries to avail them the opportunity of being nominated and possibly winning awards at this year’s edition.

According to CEO of Legal Blitz, Mr Lere Fashola, deadline for the submission of entries is August 15, 2018, after which a list of shortlisted nominees will be announced in September 2018. The ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards celebrates the important contribution of lawyers to the Nigerian economy.

Speaking further on the awards, Mr Fashola said, “The ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards reflects pre-eminence in key transactions, practice areas, and achievements over a period of 12 to 18 months, including notable work, strategic growth, excellence in client service, and contribution to the legal profession at large.”

More details about nominations and categories of award can be found on www.esq-law.com/awards.

To ensure a credible selection process, the organizers constituted a judging panel comprising leading general counsels and business leaders with vast experience in their chosen sectors to oversee the selection of the entries.

Chaired by Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Africa Finance Corporation, other members of the panel are: Andrew Jones Head, Africa Group and Partner, Linklatters, London; Andrew Balfour, Chairman, African Practice Group, Slaughter and May, UK; Mark Molyneux, Partner/Co-Head, Africa Business Group Addleshaw Goddard LLP; Nina Bowyer, Global Co-Head, Africa Practice Group; Chris Utting, Group General Counsel at Gemini Holding & Chief Legal Officer at LaMancha mining company and Knoor Kapdi, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Region, Dentons.

The judging panel also includes Solomon Osagie, Chief Legal Counsel at TSYS International; John Miles, Director of Jmiles & Co., Kenya; Solomon Wifa, Partner Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP; Kem Ihenacho, Partner, Lathman and Watkins (London); Edmund Boyo, Co-Head Africa Practice Group, Clifford Chance and Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Nigeria

Also making up the judging panel are: Babatunde Akinyanju, Legal Adviser, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), UK; Ms Remi Aiyela, Partner, Gunnercooke LLP, London; Scott Cowan, founding Partner, African Legal Jobs, UK; Aarti Shah, Head of Government Relations in emerging markets, The Cobalt Partners; Moray Mclaren, Partner, Lexington Consultants and Stephen Blundell, Head of Acritas Advisors at Acritas.

The 2018 edition of the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards will also mark the second edition of the 40 under 40 Young Lawyers Achievers category which was introduced last year. This recognition is in a bid to encourage young lawyers to develop the value of diligence, eye for goals, commitment, team spirit and self-development.

As the name connotes, the ‘40 UNDER 40’ category of the Nigerian legal awards seeks to celebrate 40 Nigerian lawyers who are under the age 40 and below and are making significant contributions to the growth of businesses and economy in Nigeria.

Nominees under this category are required to be under the age of 40 and have up till August 30, 2018, to submit their entries. Nomination for this award can be done through law firms, organizations and self-nominations.

This year’s edition of the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards will hold at the Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Lagos.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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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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