General
Harnessing Potentials of Youths Towards Achieving Sustainable Peace, Development in Nigeria
Being text of a speech delivered by the Executive Director of Beyond Boundaries Legacy Leadership Initiative, Comrade Omaga E. Daniel on the occasion of the Diversity for Peace and Development (DPDP) Ambassadors Recognition on August 12, 2018 in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Al Protocols Duly Observed.
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, invited guests, BBLLI team members and volunteers, I welcome you to today’s epoch making event!
In the last three years, the BBLLI has in line with its core mandate consistently sought partnerships with relevant organizations be they government, educational, religious, security and even international that share in our belief that mass literacy is an effective tool for fighting and conquering diverse social ills, economic imbalance and social injustice.
Within the same period, our sense of unity as Nigerians came under severe attacks by series of avoidable events which attempted to distort our sense of oneness as a people. Whereas some of these events failed; others recorded a measure of success.
It is clear that every incidence of restiveness in the world over thrives on the tripods of illiteracy, high unemployment ratio and little or no access to civil orientation – the Nigerian scenario is therefore not an exception.
There is however a social school of thought which clearly suggests that for any society to enjoy peace, such a society must build the peace it wants to enjoy. It is in recognition of this statement of fact that the BBLLI with sponsorship from the NIWANO Peace Foundation has promoted peaceful coexistence among Nigerians in Nasarawa state through the Diversity for Peace and Development Project (DPDP) which we commenced in December, 2017.
This synergy was geared towards complementing efforts of the Nigerian government and her agents towards achieving peaceful co-existence among Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic or religious beliefs. On the strength of this partnership, our organization, the Beyond Boundaries Legacy Leadership Initiative successfully trained fifteen (15) youth leaders and community influencers in Nasarawa State on the need for peace as a panacea for economic growth and development. The aim of the training was to equip these youth leaders with sufficient knowledge they require to retrain their subordinates at the grassroots along the same lines using the languages they best understand through the Participatory Infrastructure Development (PAID) programs which was sustained for a period of six months across communities in Nasarawa State.
Today, being the United Nation’s International Youth Day, we are here to celebrate those who have distinguished themselves in the course of executing their projects as Diversity for Peace and Development Ambassadors.
It is our belief at BBLLI that the current government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria may have invested heavily on national security via purchase of hardware, training and retraining of security personnel, intelligence gathering, knowledge sharing and technology transfer.
We however believe that there is room for more to be done especially as youths. We strongly believe that if the Federal Government and its agents in the security cycle forge more alliances with organizations which enjoy goodwill and have capacity to embark on civil orientation and education of Nigerians, a stronger peace will be achieved.
Pockets of incidences of unrests have been recorded in recent times across the country. Notwithstanding the fact that there are various forms of contradicting information on the media space, there is a common denominator which suggests that the government must reach out to the people of the affected communities, local farmers and cattle breeders because they hold the ace to build and achieve sustainable peace in Nigeria.
We want to use this opportunity to call on all parties to show restraint and work towards achieving lasting peace within already laid down legal frameworks. We equally call on natives and indeed youth of the affected communities to refrain from embarking on any form of reprisal attacks. While commending security agents for their intervention so far, we urge them to be prepared and willing to do more because no price is too high to be paid for the peace and stability of Nigeria.
2018 is a significant year for Nigeria in view of the forthcoming general elections in 2019. This is therefore the best time to take the message of peace and national unity to Nigerians at their various door steps. We at the BBLLI are ready, available and will build alliances with individuals, groups, agencies, communities and organizations that share these ideals. The youth are our core assets as a people. They hold the ace for the future. All hands must therefore be on deck to ensure they are heard.
We thank our DPDP Ambassadors for agreeing to avail themselves as agents of peace and we encourage them to further imbibe the various attributes expected of them as genuine advocates of peaceful coexistence along religious and tribal lines in Nasarawa State.
We express our deepest appreciation to the NIWANO PEACE FOUNDATION for their support and the Emir of Keffi, HRH Alh. Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III for his fatherly role. To the various religious bodies, government agencies, media partners, consultants, facilitators, BBLLI team members, volunteers and community groups which have partnered with us in the course of this project, we say THANK YOU!
Long Live BBLLI!
Long Live NIWANO PEACE FOUNDATION!!
Long Live NASARAWA STATE!!!
Long Live NIGERIA!!!!
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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