General
Niger Delta Group Rejects Ownership of Oil Fields by Northerners
By Adedapo Adesanya
A group known as the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has alleged that over 90 per cent of marginal oil fields in the Niger Delta region of the country is owned by people from the Northern part of Nigeria.
Marginal fields are smaller oil blocks that are developed by indigenous companies with the capacity to produce not more than 30,000 barrels per day. They are often discovered on an International Oil Company (IOC)-owned block where there has been no activity in at least the last 10 years.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government introduced marginal fields programme to encourage indigenous participation in the oil industry and also to increase the government’s take on undeveloped acreages, in order to discourage the continuous holding of undeveloped fields by international oil companies.
On May 31 2021, the federal government awarded licence letters to successful investors for the development of 57 marginal oilfields in the country.
But the group is raising an alarm, claiming that almost all 57 marginal oil fields are owned by northerners, whereas the fields are domiciled in the southernmost part of the country.
While speaking recently at the commissioning of the 300,000 litres capacity water facility with a water plant and 1,250KVA power generating set in Idama, Akuku Toru LGA of Rivers State, by Belemaoil/NNPC JV, operators of OML55, the President of the INC, Mr Benjamin Okaba, said this development was exploiting the indigenous areas.
The Ijaw leader spoke in reaction to plans by indigenous oil firm Belemaoil Producing Limited to commission completed CSR projects in Enugu and Sokoto states, lamenting that Ijaw communities have were been raped and exploited over the years by oil companies with little or nothing to show for it.
He said indigenes of other states do not implement projects in Ijaw land, urging the management of Belemaoil to implement more projects in Ijaw communities before extending hands to non-Ijaw areas.
“Over the years, the cry has been neglected by those exploiting our environment and giving back little or nothing.
“Please, we need these projects here in Ijaw land than in Enugu and Sokoto states. Before you give one project to Sokoto, give 10 projects to Ijaw communities. Before you give one project to Enugu please give us 20 projects.
“The truth is that nobody from Sokoto or Enugu will come here and give us any project.
“All the marginal oil wells, 90 per cent of them are owned by Northerners, that is the truth. And they (northerners) take over everything without repatriating anything to us. Sir, the charity must begin at home.
“I am the President of Ijaw National Congress representing over 30million Ijaw people and I have the audacity to say this, please we need more projects. You have done so much, but we need more,” the Ijaw leader said.
He also charged Ijaw communities to remain peaceful for development to thrive and also to make their communities conducive for developmental projects.
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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