General
FG Calls for Support for Nigerian Mining Council
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has called on mining stakeholders to support the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geosciences (COMEG) to enable it performs its statutory obligations
This call was made by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, at the 10th COMEG induction ceremony for 150 inductees on Wednesday in Abuja.
He added that the support would help the council to live up to its responsibilities and professional calling.
“Under my leadership, the ministry will continue to support the council with policy and guidance to ensure it discharges its responsibilities, regulate, control and enforce the provisions of the law and regulations guiding mineral exploration and exploitation.
“I will ensure, through the ministry, that we are able to secure a befitting office accommodation for COMEG to carry out its operation,” he said.
Mr Adegbite congratulated the inductees, urging them to live up to the expectation of the COMEG professional code of conduct and ethics, to sustain the standard of practice in the Nigerian extractive industry.
Mr Uchechukwu Ogah, the Minister of State, stated that the Ministry had remained resilient and dogged in the drive for economic diversification, in spite of what had been a turbulent year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Ogah tasked COMEG registered professionals, particularly the 10th class of inductees, to continue to uphold the core values of the council and be the custodians as well as guardians of its professional ethics.
The Chairman of COMEG, Mr Godspower Okpoi, said since the council was established in 1990 and its inauguration in 2001, COMEG had tried to discharge its responsibilities as permitted by prevailing circumstances.
“Today, we are witnessing another epoch-making event in the history of the Nigerian extractive industry. The council is conducting its first-ever virtual induction ceremony.
“The council has also conducted its first-ever mandatory professional exam online, to accommodate applicants in diaspora and those who could not be present for physical examination, due to the nature of their jobs.”
Mr Okpoi said that the council would continue to make effort towards the registration of more professionals and companies, to ensure a drastic reduction of quackery in the sector.
“When we took over the affairs of the council, there were 2,188 registered professionals and 84 corporate members, with an additional 563 professional members and 86 corporate members, making a total of 2751 extractive professionals and 166 corporate organisations on COMEG’s register.
“Today, we are recording an additional 150 professional members and three corporate members.”
He urged the inductees to imbibe honesty, diligence, efficiency and determination in their duties, to serve as their watchwords.
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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