By Our Correspondent

The National Movement for Tinubu-Shettima 2027 – Forward Nigeria has called for three days of national prayers for Nigeria, expressing optimism that the country will overcome its challenges and achieve stronger economic recovery, peace and sustainable development.

In a statement on Sunday signed by its National Coordinating Chairman, Prof. Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali, the Movement said the prayer initiative was aimed at strengthening hope, unity and faith in Nigeria as the country approaches its 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1, 2026.

The Movement said Nigeria was at an important stage of its national development, with ongoing efforts to address insecurity, strengthen the economy, improve food and national security, create opportunities and expand social development.

It called on its members across the country and in the diaspora to pray for the success of the economic and social reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The Movement expressed support for the administration’s reform programme, urging Nigerians to remain confident in the process and support its continuation for another four years to consolidate and complete the economic and social reform agenda.

It said the prayers would focus on workers, farmers, fishermen, traders, transporters and other productive sectors, seeking safer farming communities, increased agricultural production, efficient food distribution and greater food availability.

On security, the Movement prayed for an end to kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes, as well as the safe return of Nigerians held captive by kidnappers.

It commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting Nigerians, while praying for the families of personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

It also called for protection, wisdom and courage for serving security officers, while extending prayers to children, women, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, elderly citizens and other vulnerable Nigerians affected by insecurity and displacement.

The Movement called for sustained efforts to create a safer environment where children can attend school, families can live peacefully and citizens can pursue their livelihoods without fear.

On governance, it prayed for President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, governors, lawmakers, members of the judiciary, traditional rulers, public servants and other leaders at all levels, asking God to grant them wisdom and courage in advancing the country’s economic, security and development objectives.

The Movement also called for national unity, urging Nigerians to reject ethnic, religious, regional and political divisions and embrace peaceful coexistence.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, it appealed for responsible, patriotic and issues-based political engagement, urging political actors to avoid campaigns of calumny, incendiary rhetoric and other conduct capable of deepening national divisions.

It further prayed for a peaceful, orderly, credible and transparent electoral process, stressing that political competition should strengthen Nigeria’s democracy rather than become a source of acrimony, division and violence.

“Let these three days be a period of prayer, reflection, compassion, unity and hope,” the Movement said.

It urged Nigerians to remember victims of violence, families awaiting the return of abducted relatives, fallen security personnel and communities affected by insecurity.

The Movement said its vision remained a Nigeria where all citizens could live, work, travel, farm, learn, worship and raise their families in peace and prosperity.

Alkali urged members of the National Movement across the country to participate fully in the three-day prayers, stressing that Nigeria remained a common home whose future required collective commitment and defence.

He expressed hope that the country would continue to experience greater peace, economic recovery, prosperity, stability and democratic development.

By David Owei

The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010 and the exponential growth of local content in the oil and gas industry since the enactment in year 2010 were the key talking points among pioneering Management staff of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) hosted at a Retirees’ Celebration Dinner on Friday.
At the event which held at the Conference Centre, Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), Yenagoa, corporate headquarters of the agency, 14 former employees who had served in its seven Directorates, received Special Awards of Excellence for years of meritorious service to the organisation.

The retired Director, Legal Services Directorate (LSD), Mohammed Babaginda Umar, Esq, recalled the less-than-welcoming disposition of major oil and gas industry players towards the new enactment, which seeks to domicile value-adding activities and to promote utilisation of Nigerian human resources and local goods. He said that was a challenge the Directorate faced and worked hard to explain how the industry and the nation would gain from implementation.
“Local content was new in the oil and gas sector,” he noted, pointing out that companies were hardly cooperative, and tact was required to create understanding and compliance with provisions of the Act. He stated that it was an achievement of note that the companies gradually embraced the law and have become dependable partners as evidenced by the rapid growth of local content to 61 per cent, up from five per cent in 2010.
“Local content has come to stay,” he declared, adding that many other African countries now come to Nigeria to learn the secret of the country’s success. He called on staff still in the service of the company to give their best so as to maintain the momentum achieved in performance and growth.

Another retiree, Mr. Daziba Patrick Obah, who had served in different capacities, as pioneer Director, Planning Research and Statistics (PRS) Directorate, Acting Executive Secretary of NCDMB (2016-17), and later as Director of Corporate Services, recalled challenges faced in regard to the construction of the 17-storey NCT, from the substructure to the superstructure, and how they were surmounted during his brief tenure as chief executive of the Board.
For Research and Development, which he noted is critical to the success of an endeavour as novel as local content development in this part of the world, funding posed a challenge at the initial stage. While it was conceived in certain quarters that the NCDMB be entirely responsible for costs, others wanted the oil and gas industry to fund research. The Board took up the responsibility without any difficulty, and demonstrated how it could efficiently and effectively manage research projects by successfully hosting the maiden Research and Development Fair and Conference in September 2017 in Lagos.

Mr. Isaac Yalah, who retired as Director Planning Research and Statistics (PRS), after serving previously as Finance and Personnel Management Directorate, said NCDMB is an institution that brings out the best in staff, providing the appropriate tools for work and staff development programmes that boosted productivity. “We had to put in everything,” he explained, as they strove to achieve set goals.
He described the US$350 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) as a game changer with regard to indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry as several Nigerian service companies easily accessed the single digit facility and acquired necessary operational assets.
Listing the different ways NCDMB implementation of the NOGICD Act has been beneficial to indigenous companies, he said, “We are very proud to say we have the likes of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Seplat Energy Company, Oando” as leading indigenous companies in the upstream segment of the petroleum industry.
He advised staff to keep learning and be focused at all times to move the Board to higher levels of attainment.

For his part, Dr. Ginah Otonye Ginah, former General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, described his years at the NCDMB as “very exciting times,” stating that he learned a lot about how organisations work. “People were dedicated to their work … and there were a lot of trainings provided by the Board,” he noted.
He was particularly happy for the achievements recorded in driving digital awareness and literacy in oil-producing rural communities in the Niger Delta and elsewhere through the establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centres in secondary schools.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate (MED), Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq said the gathering was to celebrate and honour some of the distinguished men and women who have dedicated significant years of their professional lives to the service of the Board and contributed to making NCDMB a leading organisation in the country.
He said the contributions of the retirees extended beyond the duties associated with their respective positions, as they “shared knowledge, built relationships, mentored colleagues and contributed to the institutional experience that continues to shape the Board today.”
On behalf of Management and the entire staff of the Board, Barr. Kikile wished them good health, peace, happiness and fulfilment and that they enjoy “many rewarding years ahead, surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.”

A major highlight of the evening was the testimonials, during which serving staff members who had worked closely with the retirees, including those who served as their Technical Assistants, shared personal experiences and reflections on their years of working together.
The testimonies provided an emotional and memorable moment as speakers recounted the professional guidance, mentorship, support and relationships they experienced while working with the retirees. The session further highlighted the lasting impact the celebrants had on their colleagues and the institution.
The ceremony also featured a dance session by the retirees and a vibrant cultural performance, which added colour and entertainment to the celebration and provided an opportunity for the celebrants and their former colleagues to interact in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

Other retirees honoured include Dr. Ama Ikuru, former Director Capacity Building, Mr. Adelana Akintunde, former Director Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr. Obinna Ofili, former Director Finance and Personnel Administration, Mrs. Angela Okoro, former General Manager Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Mr. Taridouye Gagariga, former Manager Properties, Mr. Ombu Atonbara, former Manager Audit, Mr. Okpetu Gabriel, former Deputy Manager Capacity Building, and Mr. Peter Isu Odo, former Manager Security.

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

It was a celebration galore in Zanchita community in gbako local government area of Niger State,as former Chairman federal inland Revenue service (FIRS)and gubernatorial candidate of the people’s Democratic party PDP re-connect the community with National grid after two years of darkness.

The coming on board of the former Chairman of federal inland Revenue service to contest as the governor of Niger State was described as a round peg in a round hole by Nigerlites as he has been known as a philanthropist touching the life of less privileged and communities.

In there response youths in the community express their bitterness over the attitude of government officials who took away the damaged transformer in the community for the past two years living them to their faith without electricity, adding that the only primary school have been in delapidated condition for over five years without government attention.

They express disappointment over the non challant attitude of the government, state and National assembly members for not responding to their several requests for the past two years, and assured NAMI for their commitment and support.

Presenting the brand new transformer to the people of Zanchita community on behalf of the PDP governorship candidate, Dr Mohammed Shaba popularly known as (psychology) said the transformer provided for the community is part of NAMI humanitarian gesture to improve the soci- economics of the community.

Dr Shaba said the foundation is part of the humanitarian services rendered by the Niger South foundation under the chairmanship of Dr Mohammed Nami who always shows concern to the plight of the people.

He said the community can reciprocate their kind gesture in rendering prayers for the PDP Governorship candidate,Dr Mohammed Nami for God’s guidance and protection to succeed in his ambition as an opportunity to do more particularly for the rural dwellers.

In his response the village head of Zanchita,Ahmadu Mohammed Zanchita appreciated the kind gesture of Mamman NAMI for redeeming his pledge and prayed for protection and more blessings to enable him to provide succour to rural dwellers.