News
NLC PROTEST: We share in your plights- Delta Govt
Delta State Government, Tuesday, assured protesting members of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state that it will look at the challenges confronting them with a view to communicating same to the Federal Government.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu gave the assurance while addressing the protesters who were at the entrance of Government House, Asaba, for a peaceful protest against hardship in the country.
Dr. Emu who applauded the workers for the peaceful protest, implored them not to allow hoodlums to hijack it, adding that their request would be presented to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for onward presentation to the Federal Government.
He said: “I want to thank the Nigerian workers for your considerations and kind talks today. Your Governor sends his greetings.
“Your leadership has made a good case for you. The issue is not just affecting you but also our brothers and sisters. So, we are concerned Nigerians; whether you are working or not.
“Governor Oborevwori is a caring governor and we shall take all of these you have said to him. Before he ascended power, he told you he was going to take care of a lot of bills.
“First, is the pension and I am sure you know that that pension has been aggressively addressed. The second is the issue of your promotion arrears; you also know that it has been taken care of.
“He rescheduled your work days to suit your wallets and we consistently kept to that. He said he was going to give out some stipends for some months and he has done that. He is somebody who cares for you and I am sure you appreciate him.
“When he made those commitments, Nigeria has not gotten to a cross road, we didn’t have this kind of economic hardship. He feels your pains because he is in tune with the streets and understands the market and he is connected to his people”.
He disclosed that Labour case vis-a-vis the hardship in the country, was a pandemic, adding that everybody feels that pain, saying “no matter how the organs of the federal government tries to disguise the matter.”
“Your plights, worries and conditions will be taken back to the governor. We are all angry. You are not the only one angry. As citizens of Delta State, we are angry because while we protect our state, we are still vulnerable to external migration of people who don’t live in the state.”
He, therefore, called on the federal government to listen to the cry of labour, adding that there are too many cities where the Federal government should have sent out CNG buses; even as he noted that that was part of the promises made to the Nigerian workers by the federal government.
Earlier, the First Vice Chairman of Delta State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ziko Okwudi said that they were in Government House to register their protest against the present economic hardship in the country.
Comrade Okwudi noted that the wage award promised workers by the federal government has not been honoured, stressing that despite all the agreements reached with federal government as it affects the interest and welfare of Nigerian workers, the federal government has been very inactive and insensitive to the plights of the Nigerian people.
“We have come today, because we know that by the grace of God, when this new Government came to power, over time, we have began to understand that the man at the helms of affairs in Delta State, ordinarily is not supposed to be a politician by his conduct and his attitude but destiny has given him the opportunity to lead Delta State.
“So, by so doing we have called him a politician and because he is a politician today, we know his disposition towards the plight of the people. He is a man that is very blunt when it comes to speaking the truth.
“All the federal government has promised the Nigerian workers, we are yet to see any that has materialised”, the NLC first Vice Chairman stated.
Nigerians, according to him, are being controlled by hunger, pointing out “when a man is hungry, he is angry and an angry man is insane and at that point of insanity, anything we do will be termed as hungry and we will not be held responsible”.
Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Dutse, Jigawa State.
They are demanding that INEC formally recognise the party’s national leadership led by David Mark.
The protest comes amid growing political tension in the state, as internal party disputes and defections intensify ahead of party primaries and the next general elections.
According to reports, the protesters marched to the INEC office in the state capital without incident and submitted a petition to the commission.
Speaking after the protest, the Jigawa ADC Youth Leader, Manniru Aminu, accused INEC of overstepping its authority and said the commission cannot determine legal disputes involving court rulings.
“INEC does not have the constitutional power to interpret court rulings. That responsibility lies with the judiciary,” he said.
The group also claimed that INEC is not acting neutrally in handling internal party issues, which they described as a threat to democratic fairness.
They insisted that the leadership of the ADC under David Mark remains the only legitimate and constitutionally recognised structure of the party.
The protesters demanded that INEC immediately restore the Mark-led leadership on its official records and website.
They also called for a public apology from the commission and urged that those responsible for the alleged bias be held accountable.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Fatima Zuntu as the director-general and chief executive officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
In a statement on Monday, Chris Ugwuegbulam, head of information and public relations at the office of the secretary to the government of the federation, said the appointment takes effect from April 16.
Ugwuegbulam said Zuntu will serve an initial term of four years, in line with section 5 of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015.
He said Zuntu is a public health professional and policy strategist with experience in implementing national programmes.
Ugwuegbulam said the president has tasked the new NBMA boss to deploy her expertise towards advancing the agency’s mandate.
Zuntu’s appointment comes amid ongoing scrutiny over leadership qualifications at the biosafety agency.
In December 2025, a non-governmental organisation filed a freedom of information (FOI) request seeking to verify the academic and professional credentials of Bello Bwari, the former NBMA director-general.
The group raised concerns that Bwari, a lawyer by training, may not have met the statutory requirements for the role, noting that section 5 of the NBMA Act stipulates that the agency’s head must possess at least a master’s degree in biological sciences or a related field.
The NGO’s request, submitted to the federal ministry of environment, asked the government to disclose documents relating to Bwari’s qualifications and the process leading to his appointment.
The organisation criticised the lack of transparency, warning that such issues could undermine public confidence in biosafety regulation and scientific governance in Nigeria.
The group said the outcome of the FOI request could set a precedent for accountability in regulatory agencies, particularly those overseeing public health, environmental protection, and biotechnology.
The Labour Party has released the list of chairmen and members of its electoral subcommittees ahead of its forthcoming nationwide congresses scheduled across the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Interim National Chairman, Ken Asogwa, the party announced the constitution of the committees to oversee the conduct of ward, local government, and state congresses.
According to the party, the ward congresses are scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, while local government congresses will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026. The state congresses are fixed for Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The subcommittees, which the party said are composed of “experienced and respected party members”, have been mandated to ensure smooth conduct of the exercises in their respective states.
The appointed chairmen are, “Hon. Iheanacho Obioma (Abia); Francis Kim (Adamawa); Ekong Philip Solomon (Akwa Ibom); Chief Tony Asuoha (Anambra); Malam Mustapha Adamu (Bauchi); Beredugo Ebimonyo (Bayelsa); Chief John A. A. Ochoga (Benue); Comrade Buratai (Borno); Urom P. Iyang (Cross River); Hon. Chuks Onitsha (Delta); Chief Mitchell Nwabueze (Ebonyi); Comrade Dr. Saliu Edogiawerie (Edo); Comrade Usman Mohammed (Niger); Owolabi Ezekiel (Ogun); Charles Afolabi (Ondo); Balogun Ibrahim (Osun); Babatunde Yusuf (Oyo); Fakorede Matthew (Ekiti); Dr. David Ogba (Enugu); Comrade Adoga S. Knaabayi (Gombe); Hon. Chinagorom Nwankpa (Imo); Comrade Mustapha Garba (Jigawa); Dr. Emmanuel Barau (Kaduna); Comrade Kabiru Said (Kano); Pastor Ishaku Izang (Plateau); Hon. Amaobi Ogah (Rivers); Professor Muhamuda Muhammad (Sokoto); Barrister Jesse Williams (Taraba); Mukhtar Hassan (Yobe); Haila Ayuba Baja (Zamfara); Comrade Ismail Bello (Katsina); Comrade Muh’d H. Birnin (Kebbi); Hon. Samuel Ajare (Kogi); Bodunde David Adebayo (Kwara); Chukwuemeka Ogbanna (Lagos); Comrade Dr. Muttaqa Yushau (Nasarawa); and Comrade Rose Uba-Anarah (Federal Capital Territory).”
In her message to the subcommittee members, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman, urged them to discharge their duties with fairness, transparency, and integrity, stressing the importance of the party’s core values.
She said they must remain guided by the principles of “equal opportunity and social justice”, adding that the credibility of the party must be upheld throughout the congress process.
The party also reaffirmed that its National Convention will hold on Tuesday, 28th April 2026, in Umuahia, Abia State, expressing confidence that all arrangements are in place to ensure a smooth and hitch-free exercise.
European top scorers: Harry Kane tops chart ahead of others
ADC protesters in Jigawa demand recognition of Mark-led leadership
Tinubu appoints Fatima Zuntu as DG of biosafety agency
-
News18 hours agoFG Reveals Identities Of Alleged Coup Plotters, Files Treason Charges
-
News21 hours agoJust in: Kwara youths protest prolonged abduction of 176 women, kids by Boko Haram
-
News16 hours agoUS Lawmaker Accuses Tinubu’s Minister Of Bribery To Cover Up Genocide Report
-
News18 hours agoTinubu Makes Fresh Key Appointment In Government
-
News19 hours agoDefection Storm Rocks Reps as Parties Jostle for 2027 Advantage
-
News17 hours agoSaudi Arabia seeks partnership with FCT on green city, security, economy
-
News16 hours ago
Tinubu approves minor cabinet reshuffle, sacks Edun, Dangiwa
-
News3 hours agoYul Edochie Under Attack Over Disparaging Post Against Peter Obi