General
Lagos Lauds BATN Foundation’s Support for Aquaculture
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has been applauded for supporting aquaculture and fish farmers in Lagos State.
Recently, the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) held a two-week capacity building workshop on breeding, production, processing and marketing of catfish.
The annual project called Fingerlings to Fork was organised by LSADA in partnership with BATN Foundation.
The project, which is in its third cycle, has supported 600 smallholder fish farmers across all zones in Lagos State and also empowered three cooperatives with 250kg smoking kiln each.
Speaking at the training, the Commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State, Mrs Abisola Olusanya, commended BATN Foundation for its involvement in the fish value chain of LSADA, notably through its annual partnership to drive sustainable agriculture development in the state.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Project Manager at LSADA, Dr Olamilekan Pereira-Sheteolu, described the completion of the workshop as a huge achievement for the agency, appealing to other well-meaning members of the private sector to support the programme.
Speaking through the Director of External Services, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Ayoade Abiola Olatokunbo, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Hakeem Adeniji, said the collaboration between the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and the BATN Foundation is always a fruitful one, which has seen both parties working towards the same goal of ensuring food security, agricultural sustainability and women empowerment.
“Lagos State government produces only 20 per cent of its food demand, leaving 80 per cent to be imported from other states of the federation. The government is making concerted efforts to boost food production from 20 per cent to 40 per cent.
“As an aquatic state, the state is particularly interested in the fish subsector as it generates income for artisanal fishermen and has potential for business opportunities. This includes breeding of fingerlings and juveniles, processing and packaging of fish for exports, input supply, etc,” he added.
Speaking further, he expressed appreciation to BATN Foundation for initiating the intervention which he said is expected to empower farmers and beneficiaries of the training with a view to improving their production.
Representing the General Manager of BATN Foundation, Ololade Johnson-Agiri, the Project Manager, Dare Odusanya, in his address, said that the partnership between LSADA and BATN Foundation is intended to ensure that smallholder farmers transition from subsistence to commercial farming, adding that the organisation believes in the wealth-creating opportunities in agriculture and is committed to promoting sustainable agribusiness development amongst smallholder farmers.
A significant feature of this year’s workshop was the participation of persons living with disability most of whom are hard of hearing.
Some of the beneficiaries of the workshop expressed delight about the training and particularly the new knowledge they acquired on catfish drying and smoking.
One of them, Mrs Cecilia Omoagbor, said that she was “glad to realize how economically viable catfish smoking is,” noting that, it is another stream of income in catfish farming, which is not time-consuming.
Another physically challenged beneficiary, Mr Oluseyi Moses, a farmer from Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, Lagos, promised to share the knowledge acquired with youth farmers in his community.
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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