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Nigeria’s Esther Ajari in Japan for Annual G(irls)20 Summit

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Nigerian, Esther Ajari, a health and gender equality advocate, is among the 24 young women that will participate in the 10th annual G(irls)20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.

The G(irls)20 Summit, which is hosted ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit on June 28th, brings together young women from each of the G20 member states. Delegates represent countries across the globe, including the European and African Unions.

Ajari, a fifth-year medicine and surgery student of the University of Ibadan, is supported by Edelman’s Global Women’s Equality Network (GWEN) program to attend the summit.

Launched in 2009 at the Clinton Global Initiative, G(irls)20 places young women at the heart of economic decision-making process by advancing the idea that increasing female labour force participation will generate growth, stabilise communities and countries and lead to social innovation. The summit brings together future female leaders and they will have the opportunity to discuss the same topics as the G20 leaders.

As a registered charitable organisation based in Toronto, Canada, G(irls)20 has also been the driving force behind Bootcamp for Brains, Girls on Boards and Fathers Empowering Daughters. To date, 90 social impact initiatives have been launched in 27 countries.

By galvanising girls and women, G(irls)20 cultivates a new generation of female leaders through entrepreneurship, education and global experiences. The organisation provides skills building workshops (negotiations, communications, leadership, entrepreneurship financial preparedness, etc.), a global Summit, global mentorships and support for the creation of delegate-led social impact initiatives.

Commenting on her participation at the summit, Ajari, a 2018 Civic Leadership fellow of the President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative, said she is very excited to be part of the G(irls) 20 family and for being on the shortlist of global delegates attending this year’s summit.

“Being part of the G(irls) 20 family keeps me on my toes. It makes me strive to change the world in ways I never before thought possible, because I know even if I fall in this pursuit, I will always have a family supporting me through it all”, said Ajari

In 2015, Ajari won the Vice Chancellor’s prize for the best applicant to the University of Ibadan. Her education is being sponsored by the Wells Mountain Initiative, USA and the Western Union Foundation, USA. Ajari, who is the founder and director of the TriHealthon, has over four years of experience in community development and was a facilitator and panelist at the 2018 Dream Big Conference in Uganda.

Heather Barnabe, CEO of G(irls)20, notes:  “When we give a young woman the opportunity to use her voice at a decision-making table, everyone wins. The delegates return to their countries with the confidence to step up as leaders to solve their community challenges. Our partners are equally impacted; from companies to government representatives, attendees at our summit will tell you they have gained a critical perspective by listening to these young women.”

At the end of the summit, all delegates will prepare a communique to be delivered to Ambassador Koji Tomita, Japan’s G20 Sherpa.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today

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Abuja Night of Glory

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.

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Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC

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rivers speaker Martin Amaewhule defect

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.

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Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN

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energy sector

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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