Metro

Vehicular, Human Movements Grounded In Benin As Pensioners Protest Non Payment Of Gratuities

Published

3 years ago

March 16, 2022

Vehicular and human movements were on Wednesday grounded at the ever-busy Oba Ovonramwen square popularly called Ring Road

as Edo State pensioners protested the non payment of gratuities between 2008 and 2012.

The blockade of the road by the pensioners resulted to heavy gridlock in major roads and adjoining streets such as Mission Road, Forestry Road, Sapele Road, Sakponba Road, Ekehuan Road, Uselu-Ugbowo axis and Airport Road linking the city centre.

The protest forced commuters to spend a major part of the day waiting for the pensioners to leave the routes while passengers had to alight from vehicles and trekked longer hours to get to their terminal point.

The retirees, drawn from the state and local government council, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Six years of this government no pensioner has been paid gratuity, pay us consequential adjustment base of 2019 minimum wage, save pensioners from avoidable death, pay us our gratuities, enough is enough,pay us our recent age increment,

The senior citizens who said they retired between 2008 and 2013 and served the governments diligently, said they should be duly compensated with their retirement benefits.

According to the retirees, state pensioners who retired from service in the year 2012 and 2013 were screened in April 2017 and their gratuity papers known as Yellow Paper were collected from them, adding that these set of pensioners are yet to be paid while some of the them have even passed away.

“Since 2008 to date local government pensioners have not been paid their gratuity. In addition to the above, majority of them have also not been paid their pension arrears”, they said.

Speaking, Marcus Afekhatse who retired in 2014, lamented that his gratuity has not been paid after eight years of retirement and it has made it difficult for him to cater for his family.

“Three groups are on the road today. Our colleagues in local government who retired in 2008 and has not been paid gratuity till date are here.

“At the state level, pensioners who retired since 2012 and have not been paid gratuity are also here while others are members still receiving pitiable sum such as N2000, N4000 as monthly pension since they retired over 20 years ago”, he added.

He claimed that the Permanent Secretaries that recently retired have been paid their gratuities at the expense of the lower cadre that have retired several years ago.

On her part, Josephine Aisagbovomwan, another pensioner, said the protest was to draw the attention of the world to their plights so that the state government can pay their gratuities.

Aisagbovomwan, who retired in 2017, said she is yet to get her gratuity, lamenting that she served the state for 35 years diligently only to be denied of her gratuity by the government she served faithfully.

Meanwhile, the Edo State government has assured pensioners that modalities are being put in place to offset the arrears of their gratuities.

Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo State, gave the assurance while addressing protesting pensioners.

Shaibu, who pleaded with the pensioners to give the government time to resolve the issue, said it would be resolved.

Metro

Man On Hard Drugs Dies After Jumping Into Well

Published

6 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Kwara State Fire Service on Saturday recovered the lifeless body of a 43-year-old man who jumped into a well in the Edun area of Ilorin West Local Government Area, following Sallah celebrations.

The deceased, identified simply as Kareem, was said to be under the influence of a hard drug, Synthetic Cannabinoids locally known as ‘Colorado’.

Kareem jumped into the well at Ile Alapo, Edun, shortly after returning from the Eid-el-Kabir prayers on Friday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, by Head of Media and Publicity for the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the recovery of the body.

According to the statement, “The distress call was received by the Fire Service control room at about 10:29 hours, reporting that a man had fallen into a well,” adding that firefighters were swiftly deployed to the scene, where they successfully retrieved the body.

“The victim, identified as Kazeem, reportedly jumped into the well under the influence of a hard substance known as Colo (Colorado) shortly after returning from Eid prayers.

“The body was handed over to Inspector Babatunde Amos of the C Division Police Station, Ilorin.

“The Ministry awaits formal identification and claim of the body by the victim’s family.”

Efforts to contact the spokesperson of Kwara Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi was proved abortive unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages sent to her WhatsApp number as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, expressed sadness over the tragic incident.

He seized the moment to urge residents of the state to steer clear of drug abuse, warning that such habits often lead to devastating consequences.

Metro

NAF Airstrikes Kill Terrorists, Destroy Hideouts In Borno

Published

6 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force said it has carried out precision airstrikes on key Boko Haram strongholds in Borno State, neutralising several terrorists.

The service also said the airstrikes crippled terrorists logistics infrastructure ahead of the Eid celebrations.

According to a statement on Saturday, by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the airstrikes were conducted under Operation HADIN KAI on June 5 and 6, targeting terrorist enclaves in Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia, located in the Southern Tumbuns region of the state.

The strikes, which he said followed credible intelligence reports, were aimed at structures used by the insurgents for storage and operational coordination.

He noted that Battle Damage Assessments confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of key logistics structures.

Ejodame said, “In a series of precision airstrikes conducted on 5 and 6 June 2025, the Nigerian Air Force, under Operation HADIN KAI, decimated key Boko Haram hideouts at Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia in the Southern Tumbuns, Borno State.

“Acting on credible intelligence, NAF aircraft targeted terrorist structures reportedly used for storage and coordination, delivering direct hits and crippling planned attacks aimed at disrupting Eid celebrations.

“Battle Damage Assessments confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of key logistics structures. This pre-emptive action underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to safeguarding civilian lives and supporting national security objectives.”

Metro

My Wife Poisoned My Food, Attempted To Kill Me ‘Cos I Planned To Marry Another Wife —Husband

Published

9 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the wedlock between a couple, Odion and Elohe, on the account of lack of care, constant violence and irreconcilable differences.

Odion stated that Elohe failed in her responsibility towards him.

He explained that his wife showed him no care and was indifferent to his well-being.

The plaintiff said that the defendant was in the habit of abandoning the home for months and failing to give any reasonable explanation on her return.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant became hostile and denied him sex after a revelation in the church that he would take a second wife.

Odion further stated that Elohe attempted to poison him.

He told the court he was no longer interested in their relationship and thus prayed for divorce.

The plaintiff also requested an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with his private life.

Elohe denied all the allegations brought against her.

She also refused that their marriage be dissolved.

Elohe stated that it was Odion who stopped having sex with her.

She added that she moved out of her matrimonial home after he made her life miserable.

Odion stated, “My marriage to my wife has brought me no joy. I regret marrying her.

“My wife and I met in Lagos.

“She moved in with me after we dated for a while.

“We did not hold a marriage ceremony, and I did not pay her bride price.

“She started misbehaving after we had our first child.

“My wife would leave home for weeks without my consent and would never bother about how I fared.

“She would return home whenever it pleased her and give explanations that were unreasonable.

“Things got worse between my wife and I after there was a revelation that I was going to take a second wife.

“She started denying me sex and also rained curses on me on daily basis.

“My lord, my wife wishes me dead.

“She deserted me when I took ill and had to go through a surgical operation.

“She was away for a year and two months.

“My wife went as far as telling people that I was dead.

“Elohe did the worst when she attempted to poison me.

“I had stomach ache after I ate the food she prepared and laced with poison.

“My lord, I no longer wish to stay in marriage with my wife.

“I, therefore, pray this honourable court to put an end to our relationship.

“I further request an order restricting her from threatening and interfering with my private life.” Elohe responded, “I do not agree to divorce.

“I have laboured to raise our children. He can not throw me out now when time is ripe to enjoy the fruit of my labour.

“My husband lied that I denied him s3x. He was the one who stopped having sex with me.”

We always had misunderstandings, but we never fought.

He later moved out of the house.”

Giving judgment, the court president, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage held between the duo and no bride price was paid. According to her, both were cohabiting.

Owoseni, however, ordered both parties to go their separate ways since the plaintiff was no longer interested in their marriage.
(Tribune)