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PICTORIAL: Okomu Agog As DSP Sheibi Is Laid To Rest

Published

2 years ago

November 28, 2023

By Joe Ebi

“…Yes, I know, but who is this man. I am asking because of the type of cars and the calibre of people going in and out of this gate since Friday. I don’t think we have witnessed this type of influx of recent.”

These are the words of a security guard on Sunday evening at Okomu Oil Palm entry/exit gate after he asked a cousin of mine, in whose car I was, where we were coming from. My cousin had replied him that we were coming from a burial of a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) at Okomu community. It was the burial of DSP Adebayo Otomini Sheibi. Aged 72.

Late Sheibi was a father-in-law to High Chief Pascal Ebi Akpofagha, the Bulouwei of Furupagha Kingdom. Engineer Akpofagha deemed it fit to give his father-in-law a befitting burial, hence the influx of cars and the calibre of people Okomu played host to over the weekend. Family members, relations, friends and well-wishers joined the Ijaw High Chief in Okomu to give his departed father-in-law a befitting burial.

L-R: Chief Tamarauetunemi Makilolo; High Chief Pascal Ebi Akpofagha and his wife, Chief Tombra Ebi, leading the corpse out of the morgue.

As said earlier by the security guard, it must have been probably long such occasion that attracts large crowd like that of the weekend happened in that area.

Among those who joined High Chief Akpofagha to give DSP Sheibi the last respects were High Chief Millionaire Muje; Chief Ben Bowei; Chief Somi Miye; Chief Clarkson Benson; Chief Terry;Don Victor Kowei; Chief Otegha Ayebi; Chief Freeman Cousin; Chief Tamarauetunemi Makilolo, and other Ijaw chiefs from different kingdoms and other dignitries.

No doubt, Engr. Akpofagha and the late DSP were very close, the closeness could be likened to that of a biological father to a son. It was so evident. The show of love displayed by High Chief Akpofagha says it all. More importantly, the daughter of the deceased, who happens to be the link between Engr. Akpofagha and DSP Sheibi, is a virtuous woman, loved by all. Chief Tombra Ebi is a friend to all, another factor for the influx of people to the burial.

The two day burial ceremony which started on Friday, the 24th of November with a Service of Song and Wake Keep climaxed with a social dance on Saturday, the 25th. Izon musician, Abora was on ground to thrill residents and dignitries who were in attendance with melodious Izon songs, courtesy of Engr. Akpofagha. It was, indeed, a memorable event.

In their tributes, relations, children and church members of the deceased, described him as an upright person who used his position to help many during his life time. His service to his fatherland for good 35 years without a blemish speaks volume of the claim of his uprightness.

What transpired in Okomu between 24th and 25th of November, 2023, is historical, memorable. Petty traders in Okomu will never forget these days in hurry. It was indeed a harvest time for many of the traders.

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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.

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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.

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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.