General
Standard Chartered Bank to Launch ‘Futuremakers’ in Nigeria Saturday
All is set for the unveiling of an annual fundraising event for a community investment program called ‘Futuremakers by Standard Chartered’ (Futuremakers).
The event is slated for Saturday, September 7, 2019 and Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria aims to support disadvantaged young people from low-income households, and not young people from middle-income or affluent households through the initiative.
On the launch day in Nigeria, the lender will hold an awareness walk and cycling event. It was gathered that the event also doubles as the bank’s Community Employee Volunteering Activity as part of its 20th Anniversary celebrations.
Futuremakers is the bank’s global initiative to tackle the issue of inequality and seeks to promote greater economic inclusion for young people in our communities.
The bank will achieve this by supporting disadvantaged young people from low-income households, particularly girls and young people with visual impairments, to take part in programmes focused on Education, Employability and Entrepreneurship.
Globally, Standard Chartered’s ambition is to raise $50 million (through fundraising and Bank- matching) between 2019 and 2023 to empower the next generation to learn, earn and grow. Futuremakers builds on the success of our existing community programmes such as Goal, designed to empower adolescent girls in rural communities through sports, vocational and life skills.
Speaking on the bank’s community investment activities in Nigeria, Lamin Manjang, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria said, “Since we commenced operations in Nigeria, the bank has played a prominent role in supporting communities across the country.
“Under the Seeing is Believing project, over $1 million was raised between 2006 and 2018 to fund free corrective eye surgeries and treatments for approximately 40,000 beneficiaries across the country. 700,000 individuals Living with HIV/AIDs received support through various intervention programs and nearly 170,000 young women and girls have benefited from the Goal program.
“We are excited about the immense opportunities Futuremakers will also provide to young people in the country, helping them to become financially educated; employable and successful as entrepreneurs.
“As an international financial institution, with twenty years of experience in Nigeria, this is one of the many ways we continue to reinstate to our stakeholders and the community that our commitment to the development of the communities in Nigeria is resolute and that we are indeed truly Here for good,” Manjang said.
The implementation partners are the Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF), who have successfully co-managed the Goal program in Nigeria since 2011 and WAVE Nigeria who help train youths to be employable and also assist with job placements.
The two-part event, consisting of cycling or an awareness walk, is set to become an annual event with participants being drawn from all walks of life including representatives of donor companies, clients, vendors, media, spouses, children, friends and relatives of staff.
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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