General
Nigerians Hope for Better 2020
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As the year 2019 wraps up today, Wednesday, December 31, 2019, one of the major prayers Nigerians would be making to God during the crossing over into the new year tonight would be for a better 2020.
The outgoing year was very tough for residents of country, which prides itself as the giant of Africa, but to its citizens, a mere empty giant because smaller African countries, including Rwanda, Ghana, Kenya, amongst others are beginning to leave Nigeria behind.
In the coming year, Nigerians will expect government to make life better for them. However, one of the welcome gifts from government would be the coming into effect of the raise in the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 7.5 percent from the present 5 percent. But one good thing is the return of the nation’s budget cycle to January-December.
According to the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, this development will lead to “a more rapid infrastructural development, more job creation, etc.”
In 2019, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for President Muhammadu Buhari for another four years in office and during his June 12 speech, the President promised to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and further pledged to lift about 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
To make this a reality, Mr Buhari constituted an economic squad to help him with policies that would make the economy better in order for him to achieve his dream and fulfil what he promised the electorates during his campaigns across the country.
Though inflation has gone up as a result of the decision of his government to close the nation’s land borders, there are strong indications that the gains of this move will start to materialise.
At the moment, Nigerians are beginning to eat locally produced rice, while the cultivation of the staple food has increased, making farmers richer, which will in turn result into a better economy.
The giant strides of this government in the agricultural sector has continued to help the country have better foreign trade performance.
The value of imports in 2019, as at the third quarter, stood at N11.6 trillion compared with N9.6 trillion in the same period of 2018, representing an annual growth rate of 21 percent between 2018 and 2019. Other than refined petroleum products, major imports have been machinery and vehicles.
In terms of exports, the value grew by 2.5 percent between 2018 and 2019 as at the third quarter, rising from N14 trillion to N14.4 trillion. This resulted in a stronger overall performance and an increase in the value of total trade by 10 percent between 2018 and 2019.
While the value of crude oil exports decreased by 3.78 percent, non-crude oil exports rose by over 30 percent in value between 2018 and 2019. Non-oil exports also doubled from about N1 trillion to N2 trillion over this period.
All these figures are sweet to hear, but one key thing Nigerians will love to hear more is turning these stats into food on their tables and money in their pockets. They will hope to have a better 2020 and go extra length to fully support the government and embrace its policies because they are happier.
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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