General
Lagos Assembly Screens Six Governor’s Nominees
By Dipo Olowookere
Six nominees of Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for both the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency and the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) have undergone screening. The exercise was conducted on Tuesday by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Nominated and screened for the position of General Manager, Lagos State Public Procurement Commission was Mr Onafowote Fatai Idowu, who was born on January 16, 1957.
He attended University of Ibadan and studied agriculture, biochemistry and nutrition. And started working at the Lagos State Agriculture Development Project. He later became Programme Secretary, State Food Security Programme
Mr Idowu also supported Lagos State Public Procurement as a Technical Adviser and he has been acting as General Manager of the commission since May 2016. He is a certified procurement manager, who has worked under World Bank project in the sector.
Speaking during his screening, the General Manager-designate agreed that insurance bond is important for procurement, adding that the fund given to any contractor ought to be protected.
“They could get bond from banks or insurance companies. I support the ongoing reform in the House of Assembly on public procurement.
“Initial payment for contracts could be between 20 and 40%. It could be low for projects that involved a lot of money. Financial capability is part of consideration. 20% could be low, but it should range between 20 and 40%,” he said.
Mr Idowu added that he started acting as the GM of the commission as a child of circumstance, when the immediate past General Manager resigned.
Also yesterday, the House also screened nominees for the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).
Nominated and screened for the position of the Chairman of the board of TESCOM was Mrs Elizabeth Olabisi Ariyo, who was born in 1956, and attended United Missionary College, where she obtained a Grade 2 Teachers Certificate and taught in Ilesha, Osun State.
She also went to the University of Lagos from 1982 to 1986 to study English Language and thereafter started working with the Lagos State School of Basic Studies in 1986, and later worked as an inspector, planning officer and state Primary Education Board.
Mrs Ariyo became a Permanent Secretary in 2015 and retired in 2016.
On pension, she said that she will monitor payment of pension of teachers, adding that there is presently no central body. It
Also screened to be a member of the commission was Mr Jacob Mahonu Ashaka, who was born in 1958 in Topo, Badagry.
In 1976, he proceeded to Government Teachers Training College, Badagry for Grade 2 Certificate and was employed as a teacher.
In 1981, he went to Lagos State College of Education and graduated in 1984. He went back to teaching in 1985 after his NYSC Programme.
He worked at Agboju Secondary School for nine years. He later gained admission to the Lagos State University for first degree and went back for Masters Degree programme in Education Science and Administration in 2001.
Another nominee screened for TESCOM was Mrs Sidikat Titilayo Smith, who was born in 1954 and attended the University of Lagos, where she studied Biology Education. She was also cleared by the House for the position.
Mr Adeleke Oluwaseun Kara was also screened to be a member of TESCOM. He went to the Federal College of Education, Okenne, and later taught at Teachers College, Ikorodu before going to the University of Ibadan to study Guidance and Counselling.
The fifth nominee screened for TESCOM was Mrs Hadijat Hassan Kuburat, who was born in 1965 and attended Lagos State University, where she studied Political Science and later got Masters degree and is undergoing Phd Programme at the University of Ilorin.
Meanwhile, a Bill for a Law to amend the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (2016) was read for the second time.
Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, and Human Rights, Mr Tunde Buraimoh, stated that the bill needs overhauling and that the citizens must be made to know the importance of security.
He said that the House has a responsibility to ensure that the agency works well and made to achieve its aim.
The Majority Leader, Mr Sanai Agunbiade also added his voice to the need to review the bill, which he said considered the issue of vigilante.
He said that members of the corps have power to conduct search or to arrest any erring member of the public.
Mr Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu Constituency 1) and Mr Yishawu Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti Osa 2) also spoke on the matter, while the bill was later committed to the House Committee on Information, Publicity and Strategy, headed by Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuosho. The committee was ordered to report back to the House in two weeks.
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.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn












