News

JUST IN: WTO Reappoints Okonjo-Iweala As DG

Published

1 year ago

November 29, 2024

Editor

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO), has been officially reappointed for a second term as Director-General.

The WTO shared the announcement on Friday, November 29, via its verified X (formerly Twitter) account, stating:

“Breaking: The General Council has appointed Director-General @NOIweala for a second term, effective 1 September 2025. More details to follow.”

The WTO confirmed that its 166 member states unanimously agreed to extend her leadership, a decision finalized in a closed-door session of the WTO’s General Council.

Okonjo-Iweala, 70, will continue her role beyond the end of her current term in August 2025. This reappointment reflects a significant consensus among WTO members.

Initially, the process to determine the next term was expected to take several months. However, Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy as the sole nominee, coupled with strong backing from African nations, accelerated the decision.

The swift move aims to ensure adequate preparation for the WTO’s upcoming ministerial conference in Cameroon, scheduled for 2026.

Keith Rockwell, senior research fellow at the Hinrich Foundation, pointed to an unstated reason behind the expedited decision: a desire to avoid potential political interference from the United States.

This recall is linked to former President Donald Trump’s 2020 veto, which had delayed Okonjo-Iweala’s initial appointment. Her leadership officially began after President Joe Biden assumed office in early 2021.

Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council, confirmed that no other nominations were submitted by the 8 November deadline.

Meanwhile, her first term began in March 2021, and her second term is set to start on 1 September 2025.

Okonjo-Iweala’s tenure has been marked by a focused drive for reform within the WTO, a mission she has ardently pursued since her first appointment.

Despite early obstacles, she successfully navigated the consensus-based appointment process involving all 166 member countries. Her reappointment is a testament to the global confidence in her leadership and her vision to address the challenges confronting international trade.

News

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

Published

5 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

11 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.