Metro

ASUU Strike: Protest Rocks Edo

Published

3 years ago

July 26, 2022

Editor

The organised labour in Edo State on Tuesday joined their colleagues nationwide to support the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) protest against the prolonged closure of public universities across the country.

Joined in the protest were employees from various affiliate unions in tertiary institutions, the National Union of Teachers (NUT), health workers, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) among other participants.

The two-day nationwide protest is coming as a result of the Federal Government failure to resolve the persistent issues with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions in tertiary institutions.

The labour unions, in a rally to air their grievances over the lingering issues between the Federal Government and the academic body, marched round Benin City and terminated at the government house, where they submitted a letter to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.

The protesters displayed placards with various inscriptions such as “University teachers deserve a living wage; our children have been at home for too long government; stop playing with the lives of our future leaders, and stopping our salaries won’t deter us from fighting for our rights”.

Odion Olaye, acting NLC chairman, Edo State Council, while adressing protesters, said: “We are here on a solidarity protest on behalf of the affiliate unions in universities that have been on strike for the past five months.

“The NLC president called an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where the congress took a resolution that they have put so many efforts at the apex to address the issue by writing to the ministers involved but all to no avail.

“Hence, we decided to go on a solidarity protest with the affiliate unions operating in universities with a view to providing solution,” Olaye said.

On his part, Broderick Osewa, chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Benin chapter, commended the organised labour for the support, urging well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on government to do the needful.

Receiving the protesters and their petition on behalf of the state governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha, Chief of Staff to Edo State governor, assured that the letter would be forwarded to the governor for a possible intervention to the lingering disputes between the Federal Government and the striking workers.

“It is a shame that the Federal Government, even though at the state level, we have tried to talk them for intervention, but today, after five months, our sons and daughters are still at home after our universities pressed for a betterment in their environment.”

Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone In Igbesa

Published

2 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Editor

A fire broke out on Sunday at the Ogun State Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa.

As of this report, there has been no official statement on what caused the incident. However, a resident said the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The source added that the fire spread quickly, affecting nearby houses before emergency responders arrived.

Details later…

Metro

AAU Postpones Resumption Date

Published

20 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has approved, on behalf of the university’s Senate, the postponement of students’ resumption and commencement of academic activities.

In a statement,
Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Head, Information, Public Relations & Protocol, AAU, said the decision became necessary to enable the university to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“According to him, the management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the university regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed.

“A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.

“The university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students, parents, and guardians on this matter.

“We urge all students to adhere to the new resumption date and prepare for a productive academic session.

“Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.”

Metro

Protest Rocks Ekpoma Over Incessant Kidnapping

Published

22 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday protested against incessant kidnappings in the area.

Ekpoma, in recent times has been under attack by kidnappers who snatched residents from their homes.

The protest grounded commercial activities as students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, also joined in the protest.

The protesters, in anger, also pulled down campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections mounted in the university hosting town.

Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma.

According to him, the kidnappers would be chased away from the area in no distance time.

Also reacting to the protest, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, dismissed was top of the security situation in Ekpoma, adding the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.

Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.

“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.

“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims, including five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” she said.