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NACCIMA Unveils Plans to Strengthen Public, Private Ties

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NACCIMA Attract Investments

By Adedapo Adesanya

The newly elected president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr John Udeagbala, has pledged to deepen the chamber’s engagements with the government, the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) and other stakeholders.

Mr Udeagbala said this when he unveiled his plans for the chamber during his tenure at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and investiture in Abia State.

The NACCIMA president said the plans to work with stakeholders would be achieved through advocacy to further strengthen the chamber’s capacity to influence policies and decisions in favour of businesses.

He commended his predecessor, Mrs Saratu Iya-Aliyu, for her brilliant records and promised to build on them.

“Her significant contributions and inspirational leadership, which were manifest during her tenure, were indeed remarkable, and have been acknowledged far and wide and she stands tall as a woman of substance.

“During my tenure, we will continue to work closely with other members of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria in order to ensure that the Private Sector speaks with one voice and is focused on the sustenance of economic growth and development in our country.

“My administration will initiate a paradigm shift in our interface with the National Assembly by creating a liaison presence at the National Assembly.

“This is to enable us to monitor and provide informed inputs into bills that will have a positive impact on businesses and the private sector in Nigeria.

“To the government, the Diplomatic and International Community, and other stakeholders, the new leadership of NACCIMA seeks your continued cooperation and support,” he said.

Mr Udeagbala said that the chamber would integrate technology fully into its activities and encourage members to scale up its use.

The NACCIMA president said that other goals during his tenure include the establishment of Technology Co-Creation Centres (TCCs) in the chamber’s geo-business zones largely be driven by young entrepreneurs.

He stated that his administration would also pay attention to Alternative Dispute Resolution and Business Skills Development as important strategies to resolve trade disputes and impact entrepreneurial skills.

“The goal is to adopt the four centres of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, namely: The Policy Advocacy Centre (PAC), Dispute Resolution Centre (DRC), Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre (BEST), and the Abuja Trade Centre (ATC) as NACCIMA’s.

“These four centres, when fully adopted, will give NACCIMA the opportunity to deliver on its strategic role of addressing the current realities and challenges to business in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large,” Mr Udeagbala added.

He reiterated the chamber’s commitment to working with the National Action Committee on the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).

“We will continue to advocate for the full implementation of this agreement and ensure that Nigerian businesses harness its full benefits to ensure Nigeria’s economic influence on the continent,” he said.

He urged the government to act fast in addressing the nation’s current security challenges with its threat to lives and property and far-reaching consequences on the investment climate and costs of doing business.

“Our nation must not continue like this as prospective foreign investors and financiers are taking their resources elsewhere.

“As a nation, we must act fast to end insecurity and ensure a safe environment for lives and businesses to thrive.

“On our part, we will continue to lend our voice to the call for the government to tackle security challenges and return the country to a peaceful and secure state,” he said.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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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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