General
Acting SEC DG Advises Women to Break Stereotypes
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Acting Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Mary Uduk, has urged women to continue to break stereotypes that impede their progress in the socio-political set up of the country in a bid to make meaningful impact.
Speaking in commemoration of the 2020 International Women’s Day in Abuja, Monday, the capital market guru said, “Women must be ready to challenge stereotypes. We must remove barriers that stand in the way of the progress of women and consciously take giant strides towards the emancipation of women.”
She stated further that, “When we stand together, we can achieve anything and any obstacle can be pulled down. We must support women for emerging opportunities whenever they arise and mentor them. Supporting one another is a duty we owe and must carry out every time for women to move on.”
Ms Uduk enjoined all whether women or men, sisters or brothers to consciously take giant strides towards the emancipation of women in all spheres of life as the rise of a woman is never the fall of men.
According to her, “Those of us who are older women should consciously look down and mentor our sisters, our upcoming sisters, our children so that as they grow up, we are not in competition with each other, it is always our happiness to see that those that we mentor surpass us, they do better than us, just like we like our children to do better than us.”
“Therefore, I charge all of us in this room, to please look down at all times and pull up your younger sisters, your children and bring them up to speed in the way you would like your own children to be.
“If you are not a woman, you have a daughter, or married or a girl child, therefore it is for everyone. It then provides an opportunity for us to reinforce the fact that everyone, both women and men have a role to play in building and sustaining a more gender balanced world,” she noted.
Ms Uduk said International Women’s Day is for celebrating the achievements of women and on calling for gender parity, as historically the role of Nigerian women has differed depending on religious and geo graphic factors.
“Women’s role was primarily understood as mothers, sisters, daughters and wives. These have gradually changed through the ages with the presence of women in almost every sector in Nigeria.
“Our women can be found in Medicine, Law, Engineering, Architecture, Building, Technology, Accounting, Teaching, International Relations, Aero-nautical Engineering and in Capital Market related professions,” she said.
“Regarding gender bias there is much improvement in how women are perceived and treated in Nigeria these days.
“However, there is still much work to be done, women are still being marginalized in politics, discriminated against sexually harassed in the work place. These days it has become evident that there is no such thing as bottom power.
“What you have are very hard working women that God has raised and they do well and everybody knows that it is not because of any man’s influence but because they do that in their own right as hard working women,” Ms Uduk added.
In her remarks, Leadership and Management Consultant, Dr Karmell Andzenge, said as the world celebrates the woman, the men are also celebrating themselves as without the men the women cannot be and vice versa.
Ms Andzenge said equality is a respecting point where the women respect the men and the men also respect the women and therefore urged men to support women beginning from the homes.
She, however, lamented that women are still not treated equally in some instances adding that some cultural and harmful traditional practices have to be done away with.
The International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world on March 08 and the day is focused on celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and for highlighting challenges that women face in the different phase of life and we all know that, women face a lot of issues in life.
This year’s celebration marks a call to action for celebrating women’s equality.
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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