News

Bayelsa Bans Cooking In Boats Over Waterway Accidents

Published

2 years ago

August 14, 2024

Editor

The Bayelsa State Government has banned cooking in local wooden boats over the waterway accident that took 20 lives in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state last week.

The government also announced the mandatory use of life jackets and the provision of life buoys for all boat operators.

The deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, represented the governor, Douye Diri while condoling the families of the victims of the boat accident at the weekly State Executive Meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.

According to him, henceforth, the government would not tolerate the presence of illegal inflammables in boats, apart from the quantity of fuel needed for any journey to forestall future occurrences of avoidable fire incidents and mishaps.

He said, “Cooking in all our boats is hereby banned, and all travellers must have life-jackets, whether speed or wooden local boats. All boats must also have life-buoys, and the ban on night travel is still in force.

“All boats must also be checked for inflammables that should not be in the boat, apart from the quantity needed for the journey. We believe that these measures will help save lives and property, which is the main duty of government.

“On behalf of our governor, we wish to convey our deepest condolences and utmost grief to the families of victims of the ill-fated boat mishap that occurred in Southern Ijaw last week. Preliminary reports seem to show some level of negligence on the part of the boat operators.

“We also want to extend our deep sadness over the kidnap that occurred along the Nembe-Brass route a couple of days ago. It is unfortunate, but I can assure you that the government is taking steps to ensure the safety of our waterways.

“No boat should take more than what is in their manifest. We thank all those who helped in the rescue mission in the Southern Ijaw boat mishap.”

He thanked Bayelsans, especially the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Target Segibo, members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, and all those who participated in the search and rescue operation that led to the recovery of the remains of the victims.

The governor also appealed to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Navy, the marine component of the Nigeria Police, and the state Community Safety Corps to enforce the new measures, including the subsisting ban on night travels on waterways in the state.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.