The Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, has reacted to the abduction of 90-year-old Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, father of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Edo South Senatorial District, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Pa Iduoriyekemwen was reportedly abducted by suspected gunmen from his residence in Amagba, Benin City, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The incident has generated concern across the state, with some quarters suggesting that the abduction may have political undertones.

Reacting in a statement, Afegbua described the incident as “morally reprehensible” but cautioned against attributing political motives to the abduction without concrete evidence.

The commissioner also condemned allegations that the state government could be behind the incident, warning that such claims could undermine ongoing efforts by the government and security agencies to tackle insecurity in Edo.

“What could possibly be the motivation for anyone to abduct such a father and grandfather?” Afegbua asked.

He disclosed that Governor Monday Okpebholo had invested significantly in security infrastructure and directed relevant security agencies to work together towards securing the immediate release of Pa Iduoriyekemwen.

Afegbua also referenced the recent activities of a special court established to prosecute kidnapping cases in the state, noting that four kidnappers had recently been sentenced to death.

He described the latest abduction as a disturbing development and a “huge slap in the face” of the government’s efforts to curb criminal activities across the state.

The commissioner assured residents that the Edo State Government remained committed to protecting lives and property regardless of political affiliation.

He also appealed to anyone with credible information about the whereabouts of Pa Iduoriyekemwen to immediately provide it to security agencies to assist efforts to secure his safe release.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a total and indefinite strike across the nation’s capital, directing workers in both the public and private sectors to withdraw their services from Wednesday, October 7.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The industrial action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on September 8, 2026, over unresolved welfare concerns affecting teachers in the FCT.

In a communique signed by the NLC FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, the union rejected the FCTA’s response to the ultimatum, describing it as “ambiguous, dismissive and totally unacceptable.”

At the centre of the dispute is the FCTA’s implementation of a “vacancy clause,” which makes the promotion of teachers dependent on the availability of vacant positions.

The NLC argued that teachers were specifically recruited by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) and the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB) to teach and should therefore not be treated in the same manner as core civil servants or pool staff.

According to the labour union, applying a vacancy-based promotion system to teachers could lead to prolonged career stagnation and negatively affect their morale.

One of the union’s major demands is the immediate removal of the vacancy clause as a requirement for teachers seeking promotion.

The NLC also demanded that eligible candidates from the 2025 promotion exercise be allowed to sit for the promotion examinations alongside, or ahead of, the 2026 candidates.

It further called for the reversal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors who are beneficiaries of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.

The union also demanded the dissolution and subsequent reinstatement of management teams at the FCT Secondary Education Board and the FCT Universal Basic Education Board.

Consequently, the NLC directed workers in the public and private sectors, including its affiliate unions in schools, hospitals, offices and government establishments, to remain at home from October 7 until its demands are addressed.

The union’s enforcement committees were also directed to mobilise workers and monitor compliance with the strike across the FCT.

Explaining the union’s position, Adalo maintained that teachers should not be subjected to a promotion system designed for pool officers.

“Teachers are not core civil servants nor pool staff and cannot be subjected to vacancy-based promotion meant for pool officers. The FCTA’s attempt to sustain industrial harmony without addressing injustice is mere wishful thinking.

“There can be no peace without justice,” he said.

The NLC also appealed to parents, residents and civil society organisations in the FCT to support the industrial action.

It warned that failure by the relevant authorities to address the issues could lead to what it described as the total collapse of the territory’s education sector.

Catholic priest and founder of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has said Nigerian youths should not be criticised for supporting the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Mbaka said the worsening conditions in the country had left many Nigerians searching for someone they believe can provide solutions to their challenges.

The cleric made the remarks in a video recorded during one of his church programmes.

He described Nigeria’s situation as “spiritual,” arguing that despite the country’s vast human and natural resources, successive governments had failed to translate the nation’s wealth into better living conditions for citizens.

“Like what Nigeria is passing through now, Nigeria’s case is a spiritual one. We may not understand it,” Mbaka said.

He described Nigeria as one of the most blessed countries in the world, particularly because of its human resources, and praised the potential of Nigerian youths.

According to him, the country is also endowed with significant mineral resources, including gold and coal, yet many Nigerians continue to struggle with poverty and inadequate electricity supply.

“Enugu is sitting upon a multi-trillion-dollar worth of coal, yet the indigenes of the city are all poor,” he said.

Mbaka also criticised successive administrations over policies and actions which he said had negatively affected poor Nigerians, including the demolition of shops and disputes surrounding land.

He further linked the country’s insecurity challenges, including kidnapping, to political factors.

The Catholic priest maintained that Nigerian youths are hardworking and should not be blamed for rallying behind Obi.

“That’s why nobody should blame Nigerian youths when all of them started following Peter Obi because they are looking for whoever will save them,” Mbaka said.