General
FG Shares N5,000 to Oyo Residents to Reduce Poverty
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Some vulnerable residents of Oyo State have started to receive N5,000 from the federal government through the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme aimed to reduce poverty.
The disbursement of the cash in the state commenced on Tuesday across the 33 local government areas, with the funds expected to prevent beneficiaries from failing further down the poverty line and build their resilience to withstand shocks, the government said.
On Tuesday, the distribution of the money kicked off at Ibadan Southwest headquarters, Aleshinloye and Ona Ara council secretariat, Akanran.
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Bunmi Babalola in Ibadan, said the payments of cash to beneficiaries will extend to other local government areas.
Speaking with newsmen during the monitoring exercise, the Head of Unit in the state, Mr Ezekiel Oladipo, said that the programme started in Oyo State in 2016 and about 13,813 beneficiaries across the 33 local government areas have been benefiting since inception.
“The existing structure of Youth Empowerment and Social Operations (YES O) qualified the state to be one of the eight states that started the programme in 2016.
“There is an agency that is working for the World Bank which is called State Coordinating Unit SOCU that populated the register based on the criteria laid down by World Bank and it was done through the local government areas,” he said.
Mr Oladipo explained further that the programme has three major components which is designed to deliver timely and accessible cash transfers to beneficiary households.
“The Conditional Cash Transfer supports the poor and vulnerable with #5,000 per month to improve consumption with the aim of reducing poverty, preventing the vulnerable households from failing further down the poverty line and building their resilience to withstand shocks, while the Top-Up cash transfer incorporates benefits linked to the participation of selected households in activities which is focused on human capital development and sustainable environment through adherence to specified conditions known as co-responsibilities with four broad areas of health, education, nutrition and environment.
“The livelihood support activities facilitate graduation of beneficiaries out of poverty, thereby making them financially independent which is fundamentally focused at enabling beneficiaries to establish a sustainable means of livelihood,” he added,
In their separate remarks, the Executive Chairman, Ona Ara Local Government, Mr Sanusi Adesina and his counterpart in Ido Local Government Area, Mr Sheriff Adeojo appreciated the federal government for the gesture.
While they also promised to continue to support the downtrodden in the society through various empowerment programmes, they equally advised the beneficiaries to take care of their health and ensure the judicious use of the cash given unto them.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Tawakalitu Tajudeen, a petty trader from Ibadan Southwest local government, Mrs Abosede Atunbi a fashion designer from Ona Ara local government, Mrs Falilatu Sumonu from Ibadan North West, Mrs Kosenatu Olalere from Ibarapa East and Mrs Temilade Busi from Ibarapa Central thanked the federal and state governments, stating that the scheme will prevent them from falling further down poverty line.
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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