Author: Daily Post Nigeria

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, under the Benin Zone has warned of imminent industrial action if the government continues to breach and disrespect the collective bargaining and binding agreements to which both parties are signatories.

DAILY POST reports that the union issued the warning at a press conference on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Benin City.

The universities under the zone include the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, Adekunle Ajasin University, AAUA,, Akungba, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, OAUS, Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, Effurun, University of Delta, UNIDEL, Agbor, Dennis Osadebay University, DOU, Asaba and Southern Delta University, SDU, Ozoro.

Speaking at the briefing, Prof Monday Lewis Igbafen, the ASUU Zonal Coordinator, said in 2025, the Federal Government of Nigeria and ASUU had an agreement that was formally unveiled on January 14, 2026, by the Nigerian State.

Igbafen opined that the unveiling marked what they believed would be the end of years of struggle to renegotiate the 2009 Agreement and secure lasting industrial harmony in the nation’s public universities.

He alleged that the federal university administrators are, however, selectively and partially paying Consolidated Academic Allowances, EAA, and professorial allowances.

He noted that the development violated the agreement, which directed that all allowances must be mainstreamed into the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary as part of monthly salaries for professors.

Igbafen also accused state governors of refusal to comply with the agreement, alleging that nearly five months after the Federal Government directed full implementation, many state governors who are visitors to state universities have refused to act.

The coordinator of the Benin zone, particularly accused the governors of Edo, Delta and Ondo States who are under the zone of reneging on the agreement.

According to him, we condemn the partial and non-implementation of the salary component of the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement. This is a recipe for an industrial crisis in our universities.

“We berate the Edo, Ondo, and Delta State governments for failing to implement the agreement five months after the Federal Government’s directive. We urge them to comply immediately or face industrial action on their campuses.

“The government remains insensitive to outstanding issues, unpaid arrears of the 25-35 % salary award, promotion arrears, unremitted third-party deductions, salary shortfalls from IPPIS errors, and the withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries from the 2022 strike”, he said.

While commending the management of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, FUPRE, for the full implementation of the agreement, he however, lamented the non-implementation by the University of Benin, UNIBEN.

The Zone also condemned plans to discontinue certain academic programmes in Nigerian universities, describing the move as risky and capable of weakening the country’s higher education system

Igbafen posited that the attempts to scrap courses deemed “irrelevant” undermine the university’s autonomy and academic freedom and would be opposed.

“The government unilaterally announced plans to scrap courses deemed” irrelevant”, a move that undermines universities’ autonomy and academic freedom and it would be rejected,” he added.

Other concerns of the zone are the alleged policy inconsistencies in education, where the minister of education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa announced the plan reversal of the mother-tongue policy in early childhood education, which undermines pedagogical evidence and national policy coherence.

Igbafen, further condemned the federal government’s plan to establish a campus of Coventry University in Nigeria under the transnational education framework, which was made without consultation.

He contended that it is an aberration for the government to establish a campus of a university in the United Kingdom in Nigeria when over 140 publicly-owned universities are underfunded.

He appealed to all lovers of Nigeria to prevail on both federal and state governments to fully implement the agreement and resolve outstanding issues without further delay.

The Benin zone of ASUU, however, warned that public universities face imminent paralysis if the government continues its old tactics of disrespecting collective bargaining and binding agreements.

ASUU Benin zone threatens industrial action over non-implementation of 2025 agreement

The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has revealed that the All Progressive Congress (APC) will come to

The post 2027: Why Tinubu, Shettima’s joint ticket may end APC – Primate Ayodele appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Chairman of Oluyole Local Government in Oyo State, Engr Akeem Olatunji, the traditional ruler and the entire people of Bare community have threatened to prosecute a lady…

The post Oyo community denies reported mass abduction in LGA appeared first on Tribune Online.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the federal government to immediately withdraw criminal charges filed against leaders of forest guards across the country….

The post Falana urges FG to drop charges against forest guards appeared first on Tribune Online.

Families and relations wept profusely as the remains of Adesiyan Adegboye, one of the victims of the bandit attacks on Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area…

The post Tears as victim of Oriire bandit attack buried in Ogbomoso appeared first on Tribune Online.

Media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu has opened up about his past struggle with smoking addiction, revealing that he smoked heavily for 13 years before eventually quitting.

Ebuka made the revelation during a recent episode of the ‘MENtality’ podcast alongside singer Banky W and social media health influencer Aproko Doctor.

According to Ebuka, he began smoking while in JSS3 and gradually became heavily addicted to cigarettes.

“I started smoking in JSS3. I smoked for 13 years. By the time I entered university, I was smoking two packs a day. I was a heavy smoker,” he said.

The media personality explained that he was eventually able to overcome the addiction after making conscious and deliberate efforts to quit.

Also speaking during the conversation, Banky W disclosed that he once struggled with pornography addiction while attempting to avoid promiscuity.

He explained that he mistakenly believed turning to pornography would help him stay away from moving from one woman to another.

“I was trying to battle pornography and decided that instead of moving from woman to woman, I should just be watching pornography,” he stated.

Ebuka noted that many people often fall into another form of addiction while trying to escape a previous unhealthy habit.

On his part, Aproko Doctor explained that many addictions are rooted in people’s attempts to escape emotional pain or seek temporary pleasure.

“Human beings have two ambitions. The first is to avoid pain. The second is to chase pleasure. A lot of drug use comes because a lot of people are trying to avoid pain,” he said.

The trio stressed the importance of self-awareness, self-discovery, and discipline in overcoming negative addictions and maintaining health.

I Started Smoking In JSS 3, Says Ebuka is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A businessman, Abibu Yakubu, has filed a petition against his ex-wife at the Upper Area Court 1, Karu, over alleged refusal to leave his house after divorce.

Yakubu is also seeking custody of his four children.

He filed the case against his estranged wife, Shuwadatu Mohammed, on October 13, 2025.

According to the particulars of claim, Yakubu, who resides at Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu LGA, said the respondent is his ex-wife and also resides at the same address.

He averred that the respondent does not respect him and his parents and often insults them.

He said that the marriage is blessed with four children aged 22, 19, and a six-year-old twins.

Mr Yakubu alleged that he divorced his wife about five years ago but she refused to vacate his house.

He claimed she said she would not leave until she killed him.

He further alleged that the respondent occupied his house and threatened his life, adding that he no longer sleeps with eyes closed.

He prayed the court to hold the respondent responsible if anything happens to him.

The petitioner also asked the court for a redissolution of the marriage and custody of the four children.

The Judge, Mohammed Yakubu, after hearing the matter, adjourned the case until June 3, for continued hearing 

(NAN)

No fewer than 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs), mostly women, benefited from a community dialogue and psychosocial support programme organised by the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria in collaboration with United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) at Guiwa IDP Camp in Sokoto State.

The intervention, held under the project titled, “Building Community Resilience: Supporting Women’s Role in Conflict Prevention and Mediation,” targeted conflict-affected women and vulnerable families displaced by insecurity across the North-West.

Speaking during the event, Project Lead of CARITAS Nigeria, Jude Akwo, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening women-led peacebuilding efforts and promoting community resilience against insecurity and violent extremism.

Akwo said that the programme forms part of the UNICRI-funded project, “Assessing and Addressing the Nexus between Organized Crime and Terrorism in Africa.”

According to him, the initiative is part of broader efforts to address the links between organised crime, terrorism and community vulnerabilities while strengthening inclusive peacebuilding mechanisms in conflict-affected communities.

“Women constituted about 70 per cent of the participants of this dialogue because of the incredible role they play in peacebuilding.”

While speaking Mahmoud Malami Sadik, a consultant with CARITAS Nigeria, disclosed that findings from field research conducted in Sokoto and Zamfara states showed that women remain the worst-hit victims of banditry and displacement.

“We discovered that women are the major category of people affected. Many have lost their husbands and are now widows, while some were raped.”

Sadik noted that the research covered Wurno and Goronyo Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, where interviews were conducted with IDPs, community leaders, security experts and other stakeholders.

He lamented the poor living conditions in many IDP settlements, revealing that some displaced women still face abuse and insecurity even after fleeing violent attacks.

“Some of them are living in uncompleted buildings without proper security. Some places do not even have perimeter fences, while others lack basic sanitary facilities such as toilets and access to potable water,” he added.

He stressed that the project seeks to transform women from victims of conflict into agents of peace and mediation within their communities.

“We want to turn the narrative from women being just victims to becoming agents of peace. As mothers, daughters and wives, they have critical roles to play in conflict prevention and mediation.”

Highlights of the event was a psychosocial support session facilitated by Fauziyya Sani, a certified psychosocial specialist, who provided guidance on trauma management, emotional wellbeing and resilience-building.

Also speaking, Abdulkareem M. Lawali, representing the Special Adviser to the Governor of Sokoto State on Resident Communities and IDPs, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting programmes aimed at improving the welfare of displaced persons and promoting sustainable peace.

He commended CARITAS Nigeria and its partners for implementing interventions that address both the humanitarian and social dimensions of displacement.

Participants expressed appreciation to CARITAS Nigeria and UNICRI for the intervention, describing the support as timely amid growing humanitarian challenges facing displaced families.

CARITAS, Partners Train Sokoto IDPs On Peacebuilding, Trauma Support is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed has strongly condemned the violent attack carried out against personnel of the Corps by an armed motorist who was later identified as a security operative, during a routine traffic enforcement operation at the RS7.118 Idu Unit Command, Abuja.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Thursday, 21 May 2026, at about 3:20pm, when an enforcement team on routine patrol flagged down a Toyota Carina driver for suspected traffic violation. Rather than comply with lawful directives, the driver refused to stop and proceeded dangerously until he was eventually held up by traffic close to the Command.

Upon approach by the patrol team for routine checks of vehicle and driver documents, the offender became hostile, verbally aggressive, and resisted lawful enforcement procedures.

Despite several tactical and professional attempts by FRSC personnel to de-escalate the situation, the offender escalated the confrontation by physically advancing toward officers and later drawing a pistol, which he fired twice within the vicinity of the Command.

In the face of imminent danger to lives and property, FRSC personnel acted with remarkable restraint, professionalism, and tactical discipline to swiftly disarm the assailant without loss of life. One Marshal sustained minor bruises during the process.

The armed suspect was immediately handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at Life Camp Police Station alongside the firearm, ammunition components, and the vehicle involved. Preliminary identification later revealed the suspect to be a personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS). The matter has since been transferred to the appropriate State Command for further investigation.

The Corps Marshal commends the courage, professionalism, and maturity displayed by its personnel who resisted provocation and ensured that the situation did not degenerate into chaos, despite growing public outrage at the scene.

He further stated unequivocally that no individual, regardless of status, rank, or agency affiliation, is above the law. Security personnel are expected to lead by example through compliance with established traffic regulations and respect for constituted authority.

Firearms and official status must never be used as instruments of intimidation against law enforcement officers carrying out legitimate duties. 

The Corps therefore calls on all security agencies to continue strengthening inter-agency cooperation, mutual respect, and operational discipline in the collective interest of national security and public safety.

An aspirant for the 2027 gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John James Udoedehe, says the high level of poverty, unemployment and inequality ravaging the state motivated him to join the governorship race.

Addressing a press conference in Uyo on Thursday, Udoedehe who is running under the platform of African Democratic Congress, ADC, regretted that despite the humongous allocations to the present government, the problems continue to weigh the state down.

He said he is mentally and physically prepared to lift the people by not just creating wealth and employment but bridging the gap between the haves and have-nots, which according to him is very prominent in the state.

“What gives me strength and motivation to do what I’m doing is when I see the level of poverty, inequality unemployment in the state; I know I needed to do something. Any government that fails to answer these questions of poverty, inequality and unemployment has not started. The level of poverty in Akwa ibom is high, you see a man of 35 years having grey hair all over due to hardship.

‘’Check the budget of Akwa Ibom for the past two years  weather it is speaking, weather the budget has a voice, not a matter of building blocks. The money Godswill Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel received all together for 16 years is not up to what governor Umo Eno has received for three years yet poverty is still walking in the streets of Akwa Ibom,” he said.

On the capacity of the ADC to win elections in Akwa Ibom, Udoedehe, who was a former national secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, said he brought APC to the state which has now become the ruling party, noting that with full grassroots sensitization and mobilization, the party shall succeed.

Addressing the allegation of being a chronic governorship aspirant, Udoedehe said he only appeared on ballot twice, saying he would not be deterred as he has high hopes of winning in 2027.

He cited the victories of governors Alex Otti of Abia State and Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, who failed multiple times before scaling through in their last attempts.

The guber aspirant also dismissed as baseless and false the insinuations that he was coming out to collect money from the government and chicken out mid-way, while leaving his teaming supporters stranded.

He said he had gone a long way and had been unjustly incarcerated because of his ambition, noting that it would be unwise for him to engage in such act.

‘’I am not coming to contest election because I want to collect money from anyone, I am contented with what I’m blessed with. This is mere blackmail and propaganda. I want Akwa Ibom people to leave joint stock hatred. I have not stolen the Commonwealth of the people.

‘’I have faced many ugly situations because of my people including imprisonment through emergency laws just to implicate me because of fighting for my people. People who are saying such things are sycophants and blackmailers who are busy endorsing Senator Akpabio even when they are not from Akpabio’s senatorial district.

‘’No matter the sentiments, I want Akwa Ibom people to try me in office as their governor. My conviction is that once Akwa Ibom people are enlightened properly, they would take decision in my favour in the 2027 election,” the aspirant said.

2027: Poverty, inequality in Akwa Ibom motivated me join guber race – Udoedehe