News

Five Years After, Oba of Benin Approves Installation Of Urumwon Village Head

Published

3 years ago

July 5, 2023

Editor

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has approved the installation of Mr Noghayin Imawagheru as the Odionwere (head) of Urumwon village in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, five years after the immediate past Odionwere, Pa Johnson Agbontaen, joined his ancestors.

Oba Ewuare II granted the approval for Mr. Imawagheru who was formerly known as Ozukpogieva (second-most-elderly), after he was screened and considered as the most eligible senior elder in the village, a statement by Osaigbovo Iguobaro Chief Press Secretary to the Oba says.

The approval followed a subsisting decision of the Oba who resolved that the Enogie of Irhue N’ Owina village in Ovia North East Local government Area of the State, has no authority whatsoever to oversee Urumwon village, which he said is not part of Irhue N’ Owina Dukedom, and accordingly urged concerned authorities to take note.

Oba Ewuare II directive was conveyed through a statement endorsed by Mr Marley O. Iyamu for Secretary, Benin Traditional Council (BTC) in 2018, marked BTC. A40/VOL.LVV/447 and dated 2nd May 2023.

The statement stated that the Odionwere of Urumwon pays homage to Oba of Benin Palace, warning the Enogie of Irhue N’ Owina to desist forthwith from claiming Urumwon as part of Irhue N’ Owina Dukedom.

After the approval for his installation, which sparked a wave of euphoria, elders of Urumwon village with the youths, took turn to pay tribute to the great Benin throne, sang and dance with their families and well-wishers.

Speaking in an interview, the Odionwere of Urumwon, Mr Imawagheru, thanked the Oba for the privilege accorded to him, promising not to depose the confidence reposed in him by the traditional ruler.

He said, “I do not want fight or disturbances in our village. I won’t intimidate or harass anyone with security agents. If anyone breaches Oba Palace rules or commits abomination, or any act that is untoward, we will follow due process and ensure that the right thing is done”.

On their part, Mr Friday Omoregbe (the Ozukpogieva (second-most-elderly) man, Mr Michael Egbenehikhuere, and the Okaighele (Youth Leader) of Urumwon village, Mr Eseosa Iguebor who were both present when the approval was given, appreciated the honour and acceptance by Oba Ewuare II.

The elders who were joined by other elders from the village, promised to liaise with Oba Palace regularly and assist the Odionwere in developing the village as well as Edo State.

News

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

Published

6 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

11 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

12 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.