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FG Eyes 50,000 Jobs from FCT Agro-Processing Zones Project

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FCT Agro-Processing Zones Project

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government is targeting the creation of 50,000 jobs in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) project direct and indirect jobs in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The FCT Minister of State, Mrs Mariya Mahmoud, stated this in Gwagwalada on Wednesday at the commencement of the distribution of agricultural inputs to the FCT SAPZ project’s beneficiaries to boost agricultural production.

Represented by the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat for FCT Administration, Mr Lawan Geidam, she stated that women would constitute 40 per cent of the beneficiaries.

The Minister said the 50,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created within the five-year duration of the SAPZ project.

Mrs Mahmoud identified food as the most essential need for human survival, adding that agriculture plays a vital role in meeting this need, and said agriculture remained the mainstay of the nation’s economy, providing livelihoods to millions of people and ensuring food security.

The Minister, however, said that farmers and agro-entrepreneurs face numerous and complex challenges, ranging from climate change, poor agricultural practices, and access to markets.

She stressed, “These challenges require innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to address them.

“It is for these reasons that the FCT Administration has fully embraced the SAPZ Project, designed in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The project is designed to inject the much-needed manpower, resources and investments to reinvigorate the agricultural sector for sustainable development.”

Mahmoud expressed optimism that the agricultural inputs would be a vital catalyst for building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector in the FCT.

She identified the inputs as bull calves, animal feeds, improved seeds, fertilisers, crop protection chemicals and equipment.

The minister said that 5,000 crops and livestock farmers have been profiled and cleared to benefit from the support in the first phase of the SAPZ intervention.

Mahmoud reaffirmed FCTA’s unwavering commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the SAPZ project.

Speaking as the mandate secretary of the agriculture and rural development secretariat, Mr Geidam explained that SAPZ was initiated to unlock the potential of the livestock sub-sector in the FCT.

This, he said, was being done by providing critical financing and support to drive the growth, productivity, and sustainability of the sector.

He said that the project would also train various groups and provide funding for the operations of the groups in their respective agricultural ventures.

According to him, the support is expected to reduce the high cost of production to enable them to maximise the farmer’s earnings and improve their livelihood.

On her part, SAPZ Project Coordinator in FCT, Mrs Umma Abubakar, said that the project was a flagship initiative designed to revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria.

Mrs Abubakar added that the project was also expected to promote the livestock value chain and concentrate on industrial processing and marketing of beef and dairy products.

“It also aimed at developing the rural areas, increasing household income, and fostering job creation in rural agricultural communities, targeting youths and women.

“This in the long run will enhance food and nutrition security in FCT,” she 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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