News
Polytechnic Workers Begin Three-day Strike

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic has announced the plan to embark on a three-day warning strike over what is described as a threat to the career progression of its members.
This was contained in a letter sent to the Ministry of Labour alongside the National Board for Technical Education and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The letter was signed by the National Secretary of the Union, Nura Gaya.
The letter, which was sighted by The PUNCH on Sunday, noted that the union has made efforts to engage with the government on the plot to deprive non-teaching staff of polytechnics career progression in the civil service to no effect.
READ ALSO: Bauchi Higher Institutions To Embark On Two Weeks Earning Strike
“Our union wishes to formally notify your esteemed office of our decision to embark on a three-day warning strike, scheduled to commence from midnight of Wednesday, January 22, 2025, through Friday, January 24, 2025, at the first instance.
“This action has become imperative to further emphasise our position concerning the ongoing plot by certain stakeholders to unjustly deprive non-teaching staff of polytechnics and similar institutions of their rightful progression to the peak of their careers on CONTEDISS 15 on the ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service.
“SSANIP has consistently championed the cause of equity and justice within the Polytechnic system and has repeatedly called for the implementation of career progression policies that accommodate both teaching and non-teaching staff.
“Regrettably, our previous engagements with relevant authorities have yielded little to no tangible results, and the current machinations against non-teaching staff represent a direct affront to these efforts.
READ ALSO: Polytechnics Lecturers Warm Up For Strike
“This strike is, therefore, a warning to underscore the seriousness of our grievances and our unwavering commitment to ensuring that non-teaching staff are not marginalised or denied their deserved career progression, which, if heeded, will not in any way be a deprivation to the teaching staff, as both cadres of workers have distinct salary structures.
“We implore your office to take urgent and decisive steps to address this issue and forestall any further escalation.”
The union, however, noted that it remains open to constructive dialogue and hopes that this matter will be resolved amicably to avert further disruptions in the Polytechnic system.
PUNCH
News
MOWAA: Okpehbolo Receives Edo Assembly Resolution Indicting Obaseki

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, received report and resolutions of the Edo State House of Assembly which indicted former Governor Godwin Obaseki on the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the Radisson Hotel projects.
Recall that the Edo Assembly raised a five-man committee to investigate funding and ownership of both projects following a request by Governor Okpebholo.
Okpebholo, who spoke after receiving the report said its findings and recommendations would be fully implemented.
Okpebholo said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be invited to further examine issues raised in the recommendations.
READ ALSO:MOWAA: Why I Will Not Appear Before Edo Assembly Panel — Obaseki
According to him, the Edo State Government has significant stakes in the MOWAA and Radisson Blu hotel having invested ₦3.8bn respectively in both projects.
He said changes in the structure and nomenclature of the MOWAA project made the investigation unavoidable.
Okpebholo said it was unacceptable to suggest Edo State has only 10 per cent stake in the Radisson Blu hotem despite investing over ₦28bn.
“Edo State has spent over ₦3.8 billion on this project, yet some people are saying the state has no stake in it. That is totally unacceptable. I will work with your recommendations and forward them to the relevant authorities to investigate what truly happened. We will also involve the EFCC.
READ ALSO:MOWAA Controversy: Edo Assembly Threatens Arrest Warrant On Obaseki, Others
“Our investment in this project is over ₦28 billion. We must invite the EFCC to step in and determine if this is how businesses are conducted in Nigeria,” he said.
In its recommendations passed by the Assembly, the five-man committee headed by Hon Addeh Isibor, urged the Edo State Government to take possession of both projects.
It asked Governor Okpebholo to contract competent hands to complete renovation of the Hotel and take all steps to put the Hotel to use.
The recommendations urged the Edo State Government to revoke “the fraudulent Certificate of Occupancy to the property issued in the name of Hospitality Investment and Management Company Limited and revert same to the Edo State Government that purchased the property.
READ ALSO:Edo Assembly Charges Contractor Handling Ekekhuan Road To Accelerate Work
“That the Edo State Government initiate legal action and work with relevant Anti-graft Agencies to retrieve both the complete statement of account and the balance of the Seventeen Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N17,500,000,000.00) Bond proceeds still in the possession of the Escrow Agents. Meristen Trustees Limited and Emerging Africa Trustees Limited.
“The title to the MOWAA Property having never been revoked, same remains the property of the Central Hospital, Benin City
“That the Edo State Government immediately takes all necessary step to put the property to good use in the best and overriding public interest of the people of Edo State.”
Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, said the facts about MOWAA and Radisson Blu Hotel were now clearly documented in resolutions and outcomes.
News
Sheikh Gummi Sues Two Over Alleged False Facebook Publication

Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gummi, has approached the Chief Magistrate Court in Kaduna, seeking the issuance of a criminal direct complainant summons against two Facebook users over alleged criminal conspiracy, attempt to cause public disturbance and criminal defamation.
The application, filed at the Chief Magistrate Court sitting on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna, listed the defendants as George Udom and Bello Isiaka.
According to him, the defendants allegedly published a “Breaking News” statement on their respective Facebook pages on December 23, 2025, between 7:00 am and 10:00 am, attributed to him, threatening that the family of the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, would be eliminated if military operations against bandits were not stopped.
Gummi alleged that the publication was falsely attributed to him, as his photograph was allegedly used alongside the statement, giving the impression that he issued the threat against the Defence Minister.
READ ALSO:Nigeria Army Alone Cannot Defeat Bandits — Sheikh Gumi
The Islamic scholar stated that following the publication, he received numerous phone calls from concerned members of the public who believed he authored the statement and was attempting to intimidate the Minister of Defence in the discharge of his official duties.
He further maintained that the publication portrayed him as a troublemaker and a threat to public peace, despite his long-standing reputation as a cleric known for preaching peace and harmony within and outside Nigeria.
The complainant argued that the alleged publication was capable of inciting public disorder in Kaduna State, particularly Southern Kaduna, and could expose him to danger by presenting him as a prime suspect in the event of any attack on the Defence Minister’s family.
READ ALSO:Insecurity: What Sheikh Gumi Told Me After Visiting Bandits Hideouts — Obasanjo
He also contended that the actions of the defendants amounted to an attempt to cause public disturbance and criminal defamation of his character.
Dr Gummi told the court that the alleged acts contravened Sections 59, 57, 372, 116 and 117 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.
The application, dated December 24, 2025, was filed by a team of lawyers led by Suleiman Danlami Lere, with the complainant urging the court to summon the defendants to answer to the allegations.
News
JUST IN: Kano Lawmaker, Sarki Aliyu Daneji, Dies Hours After Colleague’s Passing

Hon. Sarki Aliyu Daneji, the lawmaker representing Kano Municipal in the Kano State House of Assembly, died on Wednesday, barely hours after the death of his colleague, Hon. Aminu Sa’adu Ungogo.
The Director-General, Media and Public Relations, Government House, Kano, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed Daneji’s death to journalists in Kano.
Daneji’s demise came shortly after the passing of Hon. Ungogo, who was the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and represented Ungogo Local Government in the Assembly. Ungogo, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), reportedly died after a brief illness.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Former Edo Information Commissioner Is Dead
He was said to have been at the Kano State House of Assembly earlier in the day, attending a committee meeting before his death.
The sudden loss of the two lawmakers within a short interval has thrown the Kano State House of Assembly into mourning, with colleagues, party members and constituents expressing shock and grief over the tragic development.
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