News
Rivers Staff, Pensioners Audit Sparks Outrage
The verification of civil servants and pensions in Rivers State, ordered by the Administrator, Vice Adm Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has sparked outrage in the state.
A statement by the state acting Head of Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown, on Wednesday, said the first phase of the exercise would begin today (Thursday).
The statement reads, “This is to inform all staff under the payroll of the Rivers State Government that His Excellency, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Administrator of Rivers State, has approved the verification of staff and pensioners in the state and local government areas.
“Accordingly, the first phase of the verification exercise will enable all staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to present themselves for the verification beginning from Thursday, July 24, 2025, as scheduled.
READ ALSO:Uproar As Senate Okays Non-indigene As Rivers Electoral Commission Chairman
“Staff are advised to check the released timetable for their scheduled dates.
“Staff are advised to come along with the specified document as indicated on the notice.
“All pensioners should note that they will be informed when their verification will commence.”
Reacting, a former labour leader in the state, Opuebo Lily-West, criticised Ibas, saying the move was not going down well with workers.
READ ALSO:Rivers LG Administrator Appointed By Ibas Resigns
Lily-West, a former chairman of the state Civil Service Union, described the action as insensitive.
He said going ahead with such an exercise towards the end of the month was a deliberate attempt to deprive workers of their salaries on time.
He stated, “The situation as we speak is that even with our disagreement with the anti-workers policy of the administrator in Rivers State, he is still going ahead to conduct the verification exercise of civil servants and pensioners in the state.
“And we are asking: What is his interest? Did he employ any of these persons he wants to verify? What are all these in a salary payment week?
READ ALSO:Lamentation As Night Fire Destroys Goods In Rivers Market
“By the time the exercise is over, when is he going to pay salaries to workers? He has destroyed every structure that he met on the ground and has now entered the civil service.”
He called on the Rivers people and workers to rise against the decision.
Lily-West further alleged that the move was an attempt to defraud the state, noting that “We are saying that the entire process is a nullity.”
He said, “Rivers State is bleeding and we are grieving. We cannot continue to fold our arms and watch this injustice happen in this manner,” he said.
Workers and some pensioners who spoke with The PUNCH on condition of anonymity also expressed dissatisfaction with the move.
News
Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
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.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
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.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike
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
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.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
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
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.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies 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.
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