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World Teachers Day: Low Turnout As Obaseki, Commissioner For Education, NLC Chair, Others Absent At Annual Ceremony

Published

2 years ago

October 5, 2024

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Commissioner for Education, Joan Oviawe and the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Mrs. Salami Ozavize, were conspicuously absent as teachers celebrated the 2024 World Teachers Day in the state.

The 2024 World Teachers Day has as its theme “Valuing Teachers’ Voices Towards New Social Contract for Education.”

Unlike previous years, this year’s celebration also witnessed low turnout of teachers.

The Edo State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Odion Olaye, who is the number one worker in the state, was also absent at the celebration.

Since his assumption as governor of the state in 2016, Obaseki has never failed to grace the Teachers Day celebration. This year’s celebration was the last he was supposed to attend as his administration ends on November 12, 2024.

Besides the absence of the state government functionaries at the occasion, no fewer than 100 teachers, however, attended the occasion.

Speaking to newsmen on the low attendance of members and absence of state government functionaries at the celebration, the Edo State chairman of NUT, Bernard Gbenga Ajobiewe, attributed their absence to the high cost of living in the country as well as the aftermath of the just concluded governorship election in the state.

According to him: “Today’s celebration is just low-key because of the situation in the country, the hike in prices of fuel, and the high cost of living; that is why some teachers could not make it to this place.

“It is not out of place, and it is also globally recognised that Nigeria is passing through financial, fuel crises, and other challenges. That is why the low turnout is evident today.

“You are also aware that in Edo State, the governorship election was just conducted and people are worn out. Though government functionaries were invited, most of them were not in town.

“And few representatives were sent to represent them, and not that government functionaries are not here completely,” he said.

Meanwhile, in his address, Ajobiewe called on the state government to increase the number of teachers intended to be recruited by SUBEB into primary schools.

While noting that the number of teachers to be recruited is grossly inadequate, he appealed that the numbers to be recruited into primary should be increased to cater for the inadequacy.

The NUT chairman also called on the outgoing governor to employ EdoStar teachers with outstanding performance as permanent teachers in fulfilment of his government promises.

He said the union accepted EdoStar as a result of an acute shortage of teachers in both primary and secondary schools.

He, however, decried the failure of the state government to redeem its promise of the provision of an operational bus and a half-month salary to teachers.

“Your Excellency, sir, as promised during the 2023 World Teachers Day Celebration (today makes it a year), before the commencement of Alaghodaro Summit you are going to provide the union with an operational bus and an additional half-month salary.

Sir, Alaghodaro Summit is over; we are still waiting,” he added.

Other demands of the teachers from the state government are the building of a new teachers’ house or renovation of the existing one, provision of security, as well as the construction of perimeter fences in schools to reduce the menace of insecurity in the schools.

Ajobiewe, however, commended the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government for the training and retraining of teachers in the state, regular payment of monthly salaries, approval and the domestication of 65 years of age and 40 years of length of service.

Others are approval and payment of the N70,000 minimum wage to all workers, including primary school teachers, approval of primary school teachers promotions from January 2022 to July 2024; and creating a good relationship between the government and the union in the state.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

40 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

16 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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News

Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.