News

COVID-19: Restriction On Large Gathering: Worship Centres Record Compliance, Partial Compliance In Benin

Published

6 years ago

March 29, 2020

Edo State government’s directive prohibiting gathering above 20 persons in the state was flouted by some worship centres while some partially complied with the directive in Benin on their Sunday’s service of March 29, 2020.

Edo State government, with a view to curbing the spread of Coronavirus in the state, had on Monday, March 23rd announced restriction of social gathering to 50 persons and later reduced to 20 persons on Wednesday 25th, in the same month.

However, visit to some worship centres by INFO DAILY in Benin revealed that the restriction does not hinder many worship centres as they opened with special arrangement of chairs while some worship centres completely put their worship centres under lock and key in compliance to the directive.

At Redemption Gospel Ministries cathedral, Benin, the building was opened but with a special arrangement of not more than 20 persons in a area, apparently complying to the social distancing advice, while members coming to the church were offered hand sanitizer before stepping in.

The same was application at Assemblies of God, Oyakhilome Temple (cathedral), Ekewan road Benin, as two buildings in the premises were used for worship with only 20 persons allowed to attend at a time.

When INFO DAILY reporter questioned why allowing few persons in a cathedral that can accommodate large number, a Minister who does not want his name mentioned said the church was complying to the directive from the government.

Visit to Steward Assembly and Kingdom of Life Baptist Church by INFO DAILY respectively, it was observed that normal seating arrangement and normal church service held, but Kingdom of Life Baptist Church did not used load speaker as the usual practice.

A Minister (name withheld) who spoke to INFO DAILY said they held a short service in order to sensitise members on the disease and to inform them of the new development of restriction, stressing that no church service will hold henceforth.

“As you can see, I was calling for tithe and offering when you walked out. You can also see that we are not using load speaker. We just opened the church to hold short service so that we can sensitise our members on coronavirus and to inform them that we are not holding service again because the government has prohibited large gathering”, he added.

At the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Grace Assembly zonal headquarters, Evbuotubu, Sunday service was held but with a distancing arrangement of seats was observed even as few members turned up. The church hooked up via satellite to the General Overseer of the church for a life broadcast.

Our reporter who visited Believers Ministry international headquarters as one of the worshipers was referred to any of their zonal branches as those positioned at the headquarters said church service was not holding at the headquarters.

Visit to Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Church of God Mission, Heritage Assembly and Miracle Assembly, all in Ekewan road and Evbuotubu axis of Benin, our report observed total compliance as all were under lock and key.

News

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

Published

4 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

10 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

10 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.