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Use Inland Ports to Ease Congestion, Business Costs—Shippers’ Council

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Inland Dry Ports

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has urged stakeholders in the North-West Zone to fully utilise the inland dry ports for export, to ease seaport congestion and reduce the cost of doing business.

The Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Pius Ukeyima-Akutah disclosed this during a familiarisation/stakeholder interaction with the Shippers’ Association from North-West Zone in Kano.

He noted that the NSC is saddled with the responsibility of promoting and developing inland dry ports.

“We have three Inland dry ports in the zone, Kaduna, Funtua and one of the foremost is Dala inland dry port in Kano,” he said.

The executive secretary noted that with inland dry ports designated within the region as origin and destination, stakeholders need not go to seaports to export their products.

“All we want is to bring shipping services closer to the shippers, so as to improve the service delivery and grow the trade and commerce in the country.

“As a shipper, you do not have any business going all the way to the seaport before you can export your products, you can export your products from these inland dry ports.

“Our target is that these ports will be available for even neighbouring countries to do businesses,” he said.

Mr Ukeyima-Akutah added that opportunities were provided for people to develop “through the use of this critical national infrastructure for transport services to support trade and commerce business in this part of the country.

“This government is promoting export over import, because we want to float the world with Nigeria forex, especially now that we are under Africa Free Continental Trade Agreement.

“We need to encourage our businessmen who are producing in this country to know that their products would be carried to the whole of Africa for the purpose of promoting trade activities.

“Kano happens to be a major point in terms of commerce in Nigeria.

“The establishment of this critical infrastructure shows that Nigeria is looking towards enhancing trade activities with other countries,” the executive secretary said.

On her part, the NSC Director, northwest zone, Mrs Karimatu Othman, said the council recovered over N6 billion for individual and corporate shippers.

“Your expertise and competencies in analysing multi-jurisdictional legal issues will assist us in dealing with challenges of trade disputes between shippers and importers abroad based on complaints we have been receiving in recent times,” she observed.

Mrs Othman commended the NSC executive secretary for improving staff welfare and refocusing the council in discharging its mandates effectively.

Meanwhile, Mr Ukeyima-Akutah, during a familiarisation visit to Dala Inland Dry Port, said the NSC would address all constraints to ensure that the port operated as a full-fledged inland dry port and not a terminal bound.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Dala Inland Dry Port Kano, Mr Ahmad Rabiu, appealed for a fully established Customs Command to ensure every process was done within the dry port.

“Since commencement of operation, we faced challenges such as transfer of cargoes to operate effectively in the facility,” he noted.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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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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