News

Word Press Freedom Day: Ex-Legislator Commends Journalists, Says ‘You Deserve Reward’

Published

6 years ago

May 3, 2020

Editor

A Former member of Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Ifaluyi Isibor has urged journalists not to give up despite the challenges and hazards in the profession.

He added “if you do, there will be no hope.”

Isibor, who was a representative of Ikpoba-Okha/Egor constituencies at the National Assembly said this on Saturday, at Edo secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ), Benin, while addressing members of the union.

He also urged the government in various levels to reward journalists, especially during Covid-19 pandemic period, just like they are currently rewarding health workers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Outside water which people say is the most important thing in life, I will say it is the journalists that are much more important, one may need the water but you need the news to direct you on how and where to get the water.

“News is life, after that, all other word or phrase will follow.

“When the civil war was raging, the soldiers said, we sacrifice our today for your tomorrow; same thing that journalists are doing today; please don’t give up as journalists, if you do, there will be no hope”, He said

He said that journalists deserved commendation for constraining their today for others to give a future.

“Without the Press the health workers can not even know what is prevailing in the system in the current struggle to surmount the Coronavirus pandemic, hence, government should also reward Journalists like the health workers”, Isibor said

He said that the purpose of information is to save or keep the people abreast with the latest trend, adding that for that information to get to the people, journalists are needed.

He further said that journalists played an important roles in our society, hence cannot be compared to any others.

“Journalists come before any other thing, now look at the coronavirus pandemic, rather than praising the health workers alone, we should also praise the men who blow the whistle which are the pressmen” he said

On his part, the state council chairman of NUJ, Mr Roland Osakue, urged members of the union to embrace investigative journalisms.

He called on stakeholders, especially the security personnel to allow journalists to carry out their constitutional duty.

Mr. Pius Oiwoh, the Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch, assured the NUJ on the association’s support to fight for its constitutional right.

Also, Mr Osazee Edigin, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo Civil Society Organisations, noted that the role of the press in area of dissemination of information cannot be undermined, adding that the role of journalists had helped CSOs to fight its challenges.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

3 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.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

9 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

9 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.