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Pensioners Protest, Wants Edo Govt. Pay Gratuities

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Pensioners under the Edo State civil service, Friday, protested to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council in Benin City, appealing to the state government to effect payment of their gratuities.

The servants are those who retired in 2012 and 2013.

They said their letter of authority otherwise called yellow form was collected in 2017.

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Aggrieved with the lingering issues of unpaid gratuities, the retirees, carried placards with inscriptions as: ‘We wore white cloth to campaign for him’; ‘state government pay our gratuity’; ‘he has for0According to the protesting pensioners, they had protested for the umpteen time but no positive outcome.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Frederick Okoloise, one of the pensioners, said many pensioners are now dead while some are sick and living with a meager pension.

“Upon retirement, two letters are given to the retirees; a letter of monthly pension and letter of authority of gratuity (yellow form). The one in question is the letter of gratuity. On the 5th to 8th April 2017, the Edo state government invited 2012/2013 pensioners for screening for payment of gratuity.

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READ ALSO: Edo Communities Protest, Give Obaseki 30 Days Ultimatum To Fix Failed Teboga Road

“After the screening, the then Head of Service collected the letters of authority from us and promised to pay us within two weeks. The state government has refused to pay us till now,” Okoloise said.

Another senior citizen, Margaret Ebekine, however, commended the governor for the prompt payment of pensions but noted that, with the current economic reality, payment of the gratuity will bring succor to them.

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According to her, “Our gratuity for about 10 to 11 years have not been paid to us. In 2017, we were asked to come for screening and were given fat meat-pie and malt. We were all happy with the hope that in one to two months, we will get paid but nothing has been done.

“We, the pensioners, ensured that the governor comes for a second time because we believe he will pay us. We are so disappointed and he is not talking about it.”

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7 African Countries That Experience Snow

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When people talk about Africa, snow is rarely part of the conversation. The continent is better known for its warm weather, deserts, and beaches than blizzards or ski slopes. Yet scattered across its vast landscapes are places where temperatures drop low enough for snow to fall and sometimes stick.

1. South Africa

Snow isn’t unusual in South Africa, especially in the Drakensberg Mountains and areas around Ceres and Sutherland.

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The country even boasts a ski resort, Tiffindell, where visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding between June and August.

2. Lesotho

Lesotho, known as the “Kingdom in the Sky”, sits entirely above 1,000 metres in elevation. That high altitude makes it one of the snowiest countries in Southern Africa. The Afriski Mountain Resort becomes a popular destination during the winter months, offering a genuine alpine experience.

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READ ALSO:Full List: Countries Most And Least Likely To Get US Visa For 2026 World Cup

3. Morocco

In Morocco, the Atlas Mountains receive regular snowfall between December and March. The Oukaïmeden Ski Resort, located just outside Marrakech, attracts locals and tourists eager to ski or simply enjoy a mountain escape, all within view of the desert.

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4. Algeria

The Tell Atlas and Aurès Mountains in Algeria get dusted with snow each winter. Towns such as Setif and Batna often experience several snowy days, creating a rare but beautiful contrast between the icy peaks and the nearby Sahara sands.

5. Tunisia

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In Tunisia’s Kroumirie Mountains, particularly around Aïn Draham, snow is a familiar winter visitor. The region’s pine forests and rolling hills transform into a quiet, white landscape that feels far removed from the country’s sunny Mediterranean coast.

READ ALSO:UK Police Recover Body Of 16-year-old Nigerian Who Drowned In Colwick Country Park

6. Kenya

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Snow in Kenya may sound impossible, but the peaks of Mount Kenya are permanently capped with ice. Although the glaciers are shrinking, climbers still trek to the summit to witness the rare sight of snow just a few degrees south of the equator.

7. Tanzania

Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro remains Africa’s most famous snowy landmark.

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Its white summit rises above the plains, a stunning reminder of the continent’s diverse climates and a view that has inspired countless travellers and photographers.

Snow might not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Africa, but it’s part of the story too. In these high-altitude regions, winter shows up quietly.

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NDLEA Arrests 54 Suspected Traffickers, Seizes 1,506.57kg of Drugs In Edo

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Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested 54 suspected drug traffickers with 1,506.57kg of various narcotic drugs.

The state commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the operational scorecard of the command in Benin City.

Ofoyeju said the seizure of the drugs and arrest of the suspects took place in the month of September.

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He added that a total of 66,078,57kg of skunk cannabis were destroyed by the Command in the period under review.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests Lady Smuggling Drugs Inside Butt Pads, Phone Chargers

The Commander, who said that the command recorded significant successes in its operations within the month, added that it was part of its concerted effort to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the state.

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He gave the breakdown of the arrested suspects to include 43 males and 11 females.

He also added that during the operation six illicit plantations spanning over 26.43 hectares were destroyed.

Ofoyeju explained that the destroyed plantations were located at Ugbogui Forest, Ovia South West, Ataroro Forest, Owan West, Urohi Forest, Esan West, and Ogu Forest, Igueben Local Government Areas of the State with an estimated yield of 66,078.5715 kg of skunk cannabis.

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READ ALSO:NDLEA Busts Cartel, Recovers ₦6.4bn Drugs From Kingpins

“The command also intercepted 1,506.57kg of illicit drugs,” Mitchell stated while emphasising the command’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within the state.

“The breakdown of the seized drugs is as follows: Cannabis Sativa 1,502. 26 Kg, psychotropic substances 4.27kg including tramadol 3.964kg, nitrazepam 0.087kg, Swinol 0.0445kg, Danabol (Molly) 0.1163kg, methamphetamine 0.0184 Kg, cocaine 0.028 Kg and heroin 0.014kg”, he said.

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The NDLEA Commander in the state while expressing determination in the command’s campaign against drug trafficking, reiterated the importance of strategic operations in safeguarding communities and reducing drug demand.

He posited that the successs signified a critical step toward reclaiming the safety and health of citizens, as Edo State continues to grapple with the pressing issues of drug trafficking and abuse.

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Army Officer Dies After Wife Allegedly Sets Him Ablaze In Akwa Ibom

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A Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, has died after sustaining severe burns when his wife allegedly set him on fire during a domestic dispute in Akwa Ibom State.

The incident reportedly occurred on September 22, 2025, at the Wellington Bassey Barracks in Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of the state.

According to a report shared on X by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on Tuesday, the late officer, who served as a Regimental Medical Officer with the Army’s 6 Battalion, had a heated altercation with his wife, identified as Mrs. Samson Haruna, which escalated violently.

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READ ALSO:14-year-old Dies After Botched Secret Breast Surgery

Sources cited by Makama alleged that during the argument, the woman doused her husband with petrol and set him ablaze.

Lt. Haruna was first treated at the military medical unit within the barracks before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where he later died from his injuries despite efforts by medical personnel to save him.

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Military sources confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and remains in custody as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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