News

PAP Office Distances Self From Yenagoa Dialogue, Warns Against Scam On Vocational Training, Scholarship

Published

2 years ago

October 10, 2024

The Presidential Amnesty Programme Office says it knows nothing about a dialogue meeting between stakeholders and former agitators of the Niger Delta which was allegedly hosted by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South, Gift Johnbull, in collaboration with one ‘General MightyMan’ in Yenagoa, on Tuesday.

A press statement signed by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, which was made available to newsmen on Thursday, stated that the explanation became necessary as a result of the unfortunate linking of the PAP Office with the Yenagoa Dialogue in some quarters.

The statement added that “the ongoing fraud by some persons who collect monies from unsuspecting victims using the name of the Office with a fake promise of vocational training and empowerment benefits,” makes the clarification more necessary.

According to the statement, beneficiaries of the office’s vocational, educational scholarship and post-training schemes do not pay any money to benefit from them.

It quoted the PAP boss as warning all delegates of Phase One, Two, Three, and other beneficiaries about the ongoing fraud and to desist from giving money in return for alleged favours from the presidential amnesty office.

Otuaro again called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved in using the name of the office for scam, to serve as a deterrent to others.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been drawn to an event that was held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on 8 October 2024, which centred on “dialogue between stakeholders and former agitators of the Niger Delta”.

“The PAP Office wishes to clarify that it was not a party to the event, which was hosted by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South, Gift Johnbull, in collaboration with one ‘General MightMan’.

“This clarification becomes necessary due to the misconception in some quarters that the PAP office was involved in the event.

“We are concerned that based on the event, some persons are impersonating the PAP Office and collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public with a fake promise they will be engaged in vocational skills training and other empowerment opportunities in return.

“The PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, advises PAP delegates of Phases One, Two and Three as well as beneficiaries to, in their own interest, stay away from activities that are not officially sanctioned by the Office.

“The PAP Office does not demand money from potential beneficiaries for enrollment in its vocational, educational scholarship and post-training initiatives.

“The Administrator is urging security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those using the name of the PAP Office to engage in fraudulent activities. The public should count the PAP office out of such pay-for-engagement activities.”

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

8 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.