News

Unpaid Salaries: Intervene In Welfare Issues Bedeviling Us, Usen Poly Workers Appeal To Obaseki

Published

1 year ago

October 23, 2024

Staff of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, have appealed to the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to urgently intervene in a series of welfare issues which, according to them, are demotivating them in the discharge of their duties in the institution.

In a joint press briefing held in Benin on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the polytechnic workers said it would be a thing of joy to them if Obaseki could use his good office
to resolve “welfare issues demotivating and dampening morale of workers at Edo State Polytechnic” before “exiting as Chief Executive of the state.”

The polytechnic workers comprised Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics(ASUP), Usen chapter;
Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), Usen branch; Non-academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASU) Usen Branch.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of other unions, Chairman, ASUP, Dr. Akhere Ekhomum, said “Edo state Government is adjudged to be one of the few states in the country that pays salaries to workers on or before 26th every month, yet the last salary received by Edo State Polytechnic workers was in May, 2024, paid only on the 9th of September, 2024.”

He added: “Recently, Edo State Government approved Seventy thousand (N70,000) naira only as
minimum wage for the workers. The core civil servantS and some Tertiary Institutions (College of Health Technology and College of. Agriculture, Iguoriakhi) are already enjoying this wage increase to the exclusion of Edo State Polytechnic workers.”

According to him, “Edo State Government paid Thirteenth (13) month salary to all workers towards the end of 2023, to the exclusion of Edo State Polytechnic staff.”

“Sufficed to state here that, Edo State Polytechnic staff have never benefited from any upward review of salary wages done by Edo State Government,” he said.

The ASUP Chairman who said “Edo State Polytechnic, Usen was established by an act of parliament over Eighteen (18) years
ago,” disclosed that “it is shocking to know that the polvtechnic is the only Edo State Government owned establishment that is not enjoving pension till date.”

Ekhomum, who said the “briefing is neither for blame game nor to paint the image of the current Government in bad light,” stated that it was “rather to make a passionate appeal’ to His Excellency, Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin
Nogheghase Obaseki to hear our cries.”

News

BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates New Defence Minister

Published

2 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, rtd, as the new Minister of Defence.

In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu disclosed Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.

Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria.

He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

News

Edo Govt Bars Journalists From Covering Event In State House

Published

2 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Journalists invited by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to cover the declaration of Edo as the official hosts of the 2026 NDDC Sports Festival were on Tuesday barred from covering the event inside the Government House in Benin City.

The journalists had sat at the venue of the event named Presidential Villa inside the Government House at around 11:00 a.m. for the official kick off of the event.

After waiting for over one hour in the Presidential Villa, information came that the venue for the event had been changed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) office, prompting both the journalists, NDDC officials and other dignitaries to move from the Presidential Villa to the SSG office.

Not too long had both the journalists and other dignitaries seated at the conference hall of the SSG that one of the protocols of the governor popularly known as Pikolo arrived at the hall and announced that the government was informed that only 27 persons were invited for the programme, hence anyone whose name was not in the government list would not be allowed into to the programme when it commences.

A few minutes after Pikolo made the announcement, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Kehinde Osaigede stood up to announce that he had been sent a message that the venue had been changed to the initial venue (Presidential Villa).

Moving out of the SSG section of the Government House to the Presidential Villa, journalists came across the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, and when he saw them (journalists) he asked after exchanging pleasantries, “were you invited by the organisers? No, I will not allow you in, this is strictly for State House reporters. The governor is personally attending the programme, so it is strictly for the State House. Presidential Villa? No!”

Shortly after uttering the above words near the Deputy Governor’s section inside the Government House, Itua moved hurriedly to the Presidential Villa section and the gate was shot for screening of persons.

When journalists and others invited got to the gate of the Presidential Villa they were subjected to screening. While some dignitaries were screened in, some journalists and some staff members of the NDDC were shut out of the venue.

News

Otuaro Felicitates Tompolo On Honorary Doctorate Award

Published

18 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) by the E.K. Clark University.

Otuaro described the recognition as well-deserved and befitting, noting that Tompolo has, over the years, demonstrated uncommon commitment to the peace, progress, and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

According to him, Tompolo’s role in sustaining peace in the region, particularly through his steadfast support for dialogue, community engagement, and nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution, has made a significant contribution to national security and economic stability.

He further noted that, beyond his contributions to peacebuilding, Tompolo has demonstrated extraordinary compassion, philanthropy, and devotion to humanitarian causes.

He added that his investments in youth empowerment stand as clear evidence of a man whose heart is truly with his people.

“Tompolo’s good heart, generosity, and love for humanity distinguish him as a leader of rare character,” Otuaro said.

The PAP Administrator commended E.K. Clark University for identifying and honouring a personality whose impact continues to resonate across the Niger Delta and beyond.

He urged other institutions to emulate such gestures that celebrate individuals advancing society through selfless service.

Dr Otuaro prayed for God’s continued guidance, long life, and strength for High Chief Ekpemupolo as he continues to serve the Niger Delta and Nigeria with dignity, wisdom, and compassion.