General
NEMA Trains Emergency Responders in Lagos
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun the recertification of emergency response officers in Lagos State to reduce casualty and loss of lives during emergencies.
This made this known by Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the Acting Zonal Coordinator, South-West Zonal Office at a two-day Basic First Aid/Recertification Course organised for emergency responders in Lagos on Thursday.
The participants included officers of NEMA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASEMA Response Unit (LRU), Federal Fire Service and Police Disaster Management Unit.
Mr Farinloye said the training, which was being organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Red Cross Society, was to boost the capacity of emergency response officers in the state, especially with the upsurge in COVID-19.
According to him, collaboration among critical stakeholders is crucial to disaster risk reduction.
“The Director-General of NEMA, AVM Muhammadu Muhammed on the assumption of office observed that there were gaps within the capacity of the staffers of the agency and that of the stakeholders.
“This is what necessitated this training on first aid because if we are pro-efficient in first aid implementation, loss of lives during emergencies will be reduced drastically.
“COVID-19 cannot stop emergencies so, in the process of saving lives, emergency responders must adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols in administering first aid to victims.
“Under the new guidelines, ways of administering first aid to infants have not changed but there are changes in administering first aid to adults and children,” he said.
Mr Farinloye said the training would be done periodically to expose emergency responders to best practices on disaster and safety management.
He added that NEMA would also continue to boost the capacity of its Grassroots Emergency Volunteer Corps (GEVC) to prevent disasters or mitigate its impact in the state.
“Our goal is to work with all stakeholders including members of the public to prevent disasters or to respond in a very timely manner in order to save lives and property,” Mr Farinloye said.
Also speaking, CSP Elizabeth Opadola, Officer in Charge of Disaster Management Unit, Lagos State Police Command, commended NEMA for organising the training.
Mrs Opadola said apart from boosting the capacity of the officers, it had given them the opportunity to bond with other sister agencies, which would improve collaboration in responding to emergencies.
“Collaboration is very essential because at the scene of incidents we usually come together and work in synergy with the goal of protecting people’s lives and property and making sure that the environment is safe,” she said.
Mrs Opadola noted that the major challenge faced by emergency responders in Lagos State was accessibility to the scene of disasters and appealed to the Lagos State Government to create a special route for emergency agencies.
Similarly, Mrs Deborah Adebiyi, Deputy Superintendent of Fire, Federal Fire Service, said the training had exposed the officers to the importance of first aid in emergency management.
She said: “It has given us exposure on what we need to do to save lives under the barest minimum time.
“This training has also emphasised that emergency response requires synergy and that nobody can do it alone.
“So, I think we need more of this kind of training when we are able to come together and discuss emergencies so that when those real-life experiences come we will be able to approach it in a more tactical way.”
Mr Bisiriyu Kabiru, Zonal Coordinator, LASEMA, Lagos West Senatorial District, said the COVID-19 pandemic had made it imperative for emergency responders to embark on a new methodology of saving lives.
“We are working harmoniously with all emergency response agencies to see how we can continue to do our job of saving lives and property in a safer manner,” 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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