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Uproar Over Relocation Of NHIS Zonal Office From Benin To PH

Published

3 months ago

February 9, 2026

Concerned indigenes of Benin have condemned the relocation of the Zonal Office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) from Benin to Port Harcourt.

They argued that the relocation of the zonal office was a deliberate affront on the people of Benin and Edo state in general.

A memo dated February 4, 2026 and addressed to all staff, named Port Harcourt as South South zonal headquarters rather than Benin from where it has operated for years.

The memo stated in part: “This is to inform all that the NHIA Governing Counci at its first retreat in August, 2025 approved the creation of two (2) new Departments: 1. Strategic Purchasing Department 2. Risk and Regulatory Services Department.

“These Departments have been forwarded to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for ratification. However, the Departments have commenced operational activities. “

The memo signed by Halima Y. Zakari, Director HRMD, stated further: “Furthermore, the Organizational Structure of the Authority now has seven Zonal Offices as follows.”

It listed the zonal offices and their headquarters as North Central Zonal Office (Ilorin); North East Zonal Office (Maiduguri); North West Zonal Office (Kano}; South East Zonal Office (Enugu); South-South Zonal Office (Port Harcourt); South West Zonal Office (Ibadan); Lagos Zonal Office (Lagos).

However, reacting to this, group known as Edo First said the plot to relocate the office from Benin to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was without justification and hatched by the zonal director of the South South zone.

In a statement signed by its President, Edosa Idahosa and Secretary, Ehiadolor Osakue, the group accused the zonal director of orchestrating the move for selfish reasons, citing proximity to his adopted home base of Bayelsa and his country home in Delta state.

The statement noted that Edo State Government in her gratitude manner provided rent-free accommodation for about 20 years and a Certificate of Occupancy for a permanent site, but the zonal director, from Delta State, refused to settle in Benin, with his family and business interests based in Bayelsa State.

The zonal office, the organization alleged, is currently suffering from neglect, self-interest, and intimidation swirling around the zonal director.

Sources revealed that the director is never present in the Benin office since his deployment in 2024. He is said to be in his adopted state rather than being in the zonal office thereby giving room for laxity.

The office is reportedly in disarray, with no alternative light source, no staff motivation, and weeds overgrowing the premises. His support for the relocation to Port Harcourt is purely on the basis of being closer to his Bayelsa base, the group said.

The group said a visit to the Benin Zonal Office of the health insurance body obviously will reveal the absence of leadership.

“He has virtually not appeared in office for over six (6) months and two of the official vehicles meant for the zonal office are said to be in his Bayelsa home, with no alternative source of light, no form of motivation for other staff to work, with weeds taking over the office”, the group maintained.

The statement noted that no notable achievement has taken place in the zonal office since he was posted there. The group stated that Benin is home to numerous zonal offices and National Headquarters of many Federal agencies/parastatals and emphasized that the good people of Edo State that have hosted the NHIA Zonal Office since inception are already seeing it as being shortchanged.

Edo First therefore called on the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, and influential Edo State personalities to investigate the matter and prevent the relocation, allegedly being pushed by the zonal director for personal gains, adding the whole issue is presently politicized.

The group accused the zonal director of soliciting support from an influential governor from the zone to back the move.

However, when journalists visited the office for comment, staff members on ground, fearing intimidation, refused to speak on the issue.,

Related Topics:#Benin #Port Harcourt NIHS

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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.

News

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.