General
Federal Mines Officers Seek EFCC Intervention to Tackle Illegal Mining
By Adedapo Adesanya
Workers in the Ministry of Solid Minerals under the aegis of Federal Mines Officers have tasked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene against illegal mining activities across the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of EFCC, the President of its Port Harcourt Branch, Mr Naku Romos, who led the delegation, sought the collaboration of the Commission for the curtailment of activities of illegal miners from the country’s mining sector.
Mr Romos noted that the activities of illegal miners were not only illegitimate but constituted economic crimes and were destructive to the already heavily compromised Niger Delta ecosystem.
“We are from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. It has been our tradition, our culture whenever we have new heads to make it an obligation to go out and familiarise ourselves with the relevant government agencies, especially law enforcement agencies like the EFCC, Police, DSS and others,” he said.
Mr Romos, who assumed office in September 2024 further recalled that the Solid Minerals Development Ministry was saddled with the responsibility of regulating and controlling the mining of solid minerals in the country and frowned that the federal government was losing many economic resources in the extractive industry due to activities of illegal miners.
He further noted that there was zero possibility of achieving results in the fight against illegal mining in the country without the ministry’s collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
Responding, the Acting Director of EFCC in Port Harcourt, Mr Adebayo Adeniyi, disclosed that the EFCC was ready for any collaboration that was geared towards a better Nigerian society, adding that efforts were already in place in the area of illegal mining, being an area of priority importance to the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede.
Mr Adeniyi pointed out that Olukoyede has set up a Special Task Force across all EFCC directorates to handle illegal mining cases and further disclosed that Port Harcourt’s Directorate has a couple of illegal mining cases it is currently investigating.
He urged the Ministry to pursue preventive measures through enlightenment programmes for all miners as many of the unlicensed miners may be unaware that they are committing crimes as well as degrading the environment.
“First of all, enlightenment is key to making them know that this is what is required of them. If they don’t move away from it, then you have to write to me. If you are sure and aware, bring up a petition, we will definitely take it up from there, as they are illegally exploiting our natural resources and destroying the environment.
“I can assure you that the EFCC will maintain an aggressive posture against illegal mining in the Niger Delta region by ensuring that it is brought to a halt,” he said.
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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