News

Untold Reasons NLC, TUC Endorsed Ighodalo For Edo Governorship

Published

1 year ago

September 14, 2024

By Mani Imaru

Edo State was at the weekend celebrating the popular endorsement given the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP by workers under the aegis of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC.

The endorsement of the two labour centers was an unprecedented feat for Ighodalo. It is also a rebuke of the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebhelo. The most obvious rebuke for Okpebhelo is the fact that he is being marketed by Senator Adams Oshiomhole who acquired a national reputation as a labour leader.

However, for the workers who Oshiomhole led at one time to openly snub him and his candidate means that either they found fault with him and his candidate or that they found some positives in Ighodalo. Or perhaps both.

While not dwelling on the negatives associated with Okpebhelo and his lack of ideas as concerning workers’ welfare, suffice it to say that many workers would have been alarmed by his continuous repetition of the phrase that if elected that he will continue from where Oshiomhole stopped.

It will not be forgotten that as governor, Oshiomhole embarked on the largest casualization of the work force by any state government. More than 50,000 workers who were employed through the Youth Employment Scheme (YES) in 2009, were sacked in 2015 when Oshiomhole claimed on television that he “picked them” from the “gutters.”

If Okpebhelo wants to continue the casualisation programme of the Oshiomhole years, one would expect him to say so.

We also are not forgetful of the fact that Oshiomhole since he joined the APC has helped to break strikes embarked upon by workers against the very things he fought against.

Meanwhile, the shinning stars of Governor Godwin Obaseki have been echoed by labour leaders. Last Friday they marched out through the streets of Benin to openly declare why they are backing a continuity under Ighodalo.

Not only has Governor Obaseki been proactive in considering the welfare of workers, Edo State became the first state in the country to implement a minimum wage of N70,000. That was well before the workers even entered into full negotiation with the Federal Government. Please note that federal workers and virtually many other states in the country are yet to start the implementation of the new minimum wage that has been operational in Edo State since May.

So, when Okpebhelo said at a campaign rally in Auchi on Monday, September 9 that he was going to abolish the salary scheme being implemented by Governor Obaseki for that of the Federal Government, many workers were bound to have been shocked. How could he replace what they enjoy now with what has remained an illusion for federal workers.

It was as such not surprising that workers decided to reject his message for the positive welfare benefits of the Obaseki administration.

Indeed, when the workers stormed the Government House, Benin on Friday, the NLC Chairman, Odion Olaye thanked the governor for setting aside N200 million monthly to offset the backlog of gratuity in the State.

He said, “The TUC and NLC are here today to thank you for what you have done for Edo State workers. Prompt payment of salaries and pensions has become your trademark for almost 8 years now.

“Edo workers have endorsed the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo as we will all come out en masse on September 21st to vote for the party to ensure continuity in the State. We will vote and defend our votes.”

On his part, the TUC Chairman hailed the governor’s developmental stride in the last eight years, assuring the votes of members of the TUC to thank him for investing in their welfare.

News

Edo To Immortalise Late IGP Solomon Arase

Published

10 hours ago

September 27, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government is set to immortalise the late Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who is an indigene of the state.

Governor of the state, Monday Okpebhole, disclosed this on Saturday while receiving the body of the late Arase at the Benin Airport.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Gani Audu, Okpebholo described late Arase as “one of the finesse police officers and lawyers we have in Edo State,’ adding that “losing him at this time that the Nigeria Police Force and the country in general need him is not good for us”.

“As a State Government, we will work with the family to see how we can Immortalize him. He was a great son of Edo State.

“It is very painful to the government and people of Edo State but we are consoled with the good life he lived”.

Okpebholo described Arase as a team player and a man that was always willing to help.

“It is painful that we lost somebody who always listens to every complaint and tries as much as possible to solve them”.

He, however, prayed to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss, assuring that the government will do all that it can to support his family.

News

Edo Activist In Police Net Over Alleged Assault On Abure

Published

12 hours ago

September 27, 2025

Editor

Edo-based activist, Precious Oruche, popularly known as “Mama Pee”, has been detained following a heated confrontation with the factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, at the Abuja Airport.

The incident, which had since gone viral, had sparked controversy and conflicting accounts from both parties.

According to reports, the saga began at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where Mama Pee allegedly confronted Abure as he prepared to board a Max Air flight to Benin.

Eyewitness accounts said the activist approached Abure and accused him of being responsible for the hardships Nigerians are currently facing.

“Is this not Julius Abure? You’re the one frustrating Nigerians,” she reportedly told Abure in a confrontational manner.

Abure was responding by saying ‘how can…’ when Mama Pee interjected, saying, “In case nobody has told you, you’re the one frustrating Nigerians. Are you not Julius Abure? What are you now doing with Labour Party? Police are looking for you. You’ve destroyed the Labour Party, and you’re entering an aeroplane? May God punish all of you.”

Arriving at the Benin Airport, things took a more violent dimension as Mama Pee was allegedly attacked by a group of young men believed to be thugs loyal to Abure.

A video circulating online shows a scuffle at the airport’s exit, with several individuals attempting to drag the activist, before security and immigration officials stepped in.

Speaking in one of the video recordings, Mama Pee claimed she was assaulted by the group.

“Look at them oh!!! See them oh!!! They want to beat me after I told Julius Abure that he is the one frustrating the lives of Nigerians, and then he brought thugs. He brought thugs to harass me. Look at them, can you see them,” she exclaimed.

She further alleged, “I saw Julius Abure of Labour Party inside the Max Air, and I told him that you are the one frustrating the lives of Nigerians. You sold Labour Party, and then he called his thugs to wait for me at the airport in Benin.”

Another activist, Peter Akah—widely known as ‘Peter for Nigeria’—released a video calling for Mama Pee’s immediate release.

He appealed to Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika to intervene.

Akah argued that the activist, who he described as a victim of political violence, had been wrongly turned into a suspect by the police.

Meanwhile, the Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has issued its own version of events, condemning what it termed an “unwarranted attack” on their chairman.

In a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party claimed Mama Pee accosted Abure at the Abuja airport in an unprovoked manner while he was boarding his flight to Benin.

“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene,” Ifoh stated.

He added that Abure had to be quickly escorted to safety by security agents, while the activist was handed over to police for questioning.

The statement further alleged that Mama Pee, who is described as a known figure in the ‘Obidient’ Movement, bragged in one of her videos about her connections to top police officers.

“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party,’” Ifoh said.

He called for a thorough probe, just as he urged the Inspector General of Police to look into what they termed cyberbullying and political provocation.

As of the time of filing this report, attempts to get a comment from the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, were unsuccessful as calls were neither answered nor returned.

News

Educationist Gets Guinness World Record For Largest Teachers’ Gathering

Published

12 hours ago

September 27, 2025

Editor

Nigerian teacher and education advocate, Mr Seyi Anifowose, has officially entered the Guinness World Records for convening the largest gathering of teachers in history, a feat achieved at the “Let There Be Teachers Conference 2025” held on September 20 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

A statement by 1 Million Teachers on Friday said the confirmation was announced via a Zoom call on Wednesday, September 23, by Rishi Nath, a representative of Guinness World Records.

Nath commended Anifowose and his team for drawing global attention to an issue that, according to him, “should be on the front burner of policy and dialogue nationally.”

The record-setting event, powered by 1 Million Teachers, drew an unprecedented number of educators from across Nigeria.

Organisers had projected attendance of 60,000 teachers, underscoring both the scale of the mobilisation and the urgency of the message: that Nigerian teachers deserve greater recognition, welfare, and policy support.

“This is more than a number. It is proof that teachers matter. It is a victory for education, and it is a victory for Nigeria,” said Anifowose.

He explained that the choice of Tafawa Balewa Square carried symbolic weight. He said, “It was the same ground where Nigeria declared independence in 1960, and its use for the conference marks another proud national moment—this time celebrating those who build nations in classrooms.”

Anifowose admitted that achieving the milestone was not without challenges.

“This is not just about breaking a record. It is about resilience. Teachers stood in the rain, braved the sun, and endured long verification lines but refused to back down just to achieve this record,” he noted.

He expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for hosting the event and to his home-state governor, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, for his encouragement.

He also thanked teacher unions and education agencies at both state and federal levels for their support in ensuring the conference’s success.

Beyond the record, Anifowose emphasised that the next phase would focus on policy advocacy. He revealed plans to engage the National Assembly on reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s education system and boosting teachers’ welfare.

Nigeria’s education sector has long grappled with underfunding, poor infrastructure, and low teacher morale.

According to UNESCO, the country faces one of the world’s most severe teacher shortages, with many classrooms overcrowded and educators underpaid.

Stakeholders have repeatedly called for reforms to strengthen the sector, improve teacher training, and make the profession attractive to younger generations.

By securing this world record, Anifowose hopes to transform symbolic recognition into tangible change for teachers nationwide.

(PUNCH)