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NCDMB to Host African Local Content Investment Forum

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is set to host the African Local Content Investment Forum (ALCIF) in Lagos on March 7, 2022.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr Simbi Wabote in a statement, on Saturday in Abuja. He said the event will foster sustainable funding of African oil and gas projects, noting that the current energy transition agenda was posing new challenges to Africa.

Mr Wabote said the forum would also provide a platform for African leaders in the oil and gas industry, financial sector, regulators, and regional bodies to meet and shape the industry’s future in Africa amidst energy transition realities.

He said that it would elevate Africa’s indigenous oil producers and national oil companies as the next generation of project producers involved in the equity financing of exploration and field development activities.

This, he said, also positions Africa’s oil and gas service companies as funding blocks for research and development of technology required for exploration and production operations.

The NCDMB boss further said that it would position Africa’s financial institutions as providers of debt financing for oil and gas projects.

“The ongoing global energy transition is driving most International Oil Companies (IOCs) to declare commitments to reduce carbon emissions thereby scaling down investments in hydrocarbons development in favour of expanding renewable portfolios.

“Leading global financial institutions are also reducing or eliminating portfolio allocations to oil and gas projects,” he said.

According to him, the board’s sponsorship of the forum is in furtherance of the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap.

Mr Wabote said that it had a key aspiration to promote local content across the African continent and ensure access to the market for oil and gas capacities that have been developed locally.

The board, he said, consistently provided guidance to several African countries on the implementation of local content policies in their jurisdictions.

According to the organisers, the local content policy which has been implemented successfully in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry offers the most appealing economic development models for a self-reliant and resilient African economy.

Africa accounts for eight per cent of the world’s hydrocarbon reserves with an estimated 126.388 billion barrels equivalent.

The continent contributes three per cent of global Gross Domestic Production (GDP) despite having a population of over 1.373 billion people and being the second largest and second most-populous continent on earth.

Analysts believe that the continent has the human resource base to leverage its hydrocarbon, minerals, and other natural resources to improve its GDP contribution.

Expected at the event are delegates from 18 countries mostly from the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPO), 140 financial institutions, and 400 participants from around the continent.

The event is being facilitated by the Heritage Times and has as its theme: “Developing a Pan African Strategy towards Sustainable Funding of Africa Oil and Gas Projects”.

The ALCIF is sequel to the first African Local Content Roundtable hosted by the board in June 2021 at the NCDMB Towers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

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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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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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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