News

Varsity clears N3bn staff salary arrears

Published

2 weeks ago

May 2, 2026

The Osun State Government has cleared outstanding salary arrears owed to workers of the state-owned University of Ilesa (UNILESA).

Management of the institution confirmed that Governor Ademola Adeleke released N3 billion to offset the backlog of unpaid salaries owed to staff of the university. The governor also approved the regularisation of about 300 casual workers, granting them permanent employment.

Speaking with journalists during a briefing to commemorate the institution’s third anniversary, themed “Three Years of Purposeful Leadership, Growth and Institutional Transformation,” the Vice Chancellor, Taiwo Asaolu, commended Adeleke for the administration’s support since the university was established.

Asaolu also disclosed that no fewer than 3,661 students of the university benefited from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in 2026.

According to him, the institution currently has a student population of about 15,000, with 3,661 students benefiting from the federal government’s NELFUND initiative. He added that Governor Adeleke also approved a tuition-free policy for students in the Faculties of Education and Agriculture.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the current management inherited dilapidated and obsolete facilities, demoralised staff, a dwindling student population of fewer than 1,000, overgrown surroundings and poor infrastructure.

However, he said the institution has since recorded significant progress and now runs 97 academic programmes, all of which have been approved by the National Universities Commission.

“We inherited over 300 staff on temporary appointments from the defunct Osun State College of Education, Ilesa. Many of them had been in such unfortunate and inhumane conditions, receiving salaries of less than N25,000 per month. Those on permanent appointment were also owed several allowances. When we assumed duty, agitations from these staff constituted a major setback to the smooth take-off of the University.

“The Governor rose to the occasion and provided lasting solutions: all temporary staff were granted permanent appointments, and all outstanding allowances owed to permanent staff, amounting to over Three Billion Naira (₦3billion) only, were fully paid. Retired staff of the defunct College and next-of-kin of deceased staff also benefited from this payment.”

He equally confirmed that “Within the last three years, the University has enjoyed tremendous support from TETFund, Owa Obokun, Oba Clement Haastrup, the Ijesa Community, among others. You will see the various projects funded or donated by them during your guided tour of the campus.”

Speaking about the accommodation for students, he said TETFund released over N750million for the school, while about N2 billion has been made available for the construction of hostels.

News

Adeboye backs Remi Tinubu’s RCCG pastor title

Published

2 weeks ago

May 2, 2026

The Exclusives

Despite mounting pressure from various quarters, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has stated that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, will continue to hold her position as an ordained pastor in the church.

Adeboye made the clarification during the church’s monthly Holy Ghost Service, explaining that Mrs Tinubu was ordained as an Assistant Pastor more than a decade ago—well before her husband, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emerged as a presidential contender.

He noted that her ordination followed the church’s established procedures and emphasised that she had not violated any of its doctrines or regulations.

The cleric also dismissed calls from some quarters demanding that she be stripped of the title, stressing that the church would not yield to external pressure on internal matters.

Adeboye further rejected claims that the church is aligned with any political interest, reiterating that it remains a place of worship open to all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation.

He made the clarification during the May edition of the church’s Holy Ghost Service, themed ‘Excellent Counsel,’ where he responded to public perceptions linking the RCCG with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adeboye said such assumptions overlook the diverse political representation within the church.

“Some people are saying RCCG is an APC church. I just smile. In RCCG, you will find a governor from the Peoples Democratic Party sitting down with a governor from the Labour Party, APC, and APGA.

“By the special help of God, we are representative of the whole nation, and that is what we will continue to be,” he said.

He stressed that the pulpit is not used for political expression, regardless of the status of worshippers present.

According to him, church activities are focused on prayer and worship rather than political engagement or announcements.

“If you saw one governor among us today dancing and you were expecting he would be called forward to say something, we don’t do that. But if you come to worship with us, you are welcome. Our duty is to pray for everybody,” he added.

The cleric also commented on Nigeria’s political future, particularly the 2027 general election, stating that ultimate outcomes are already known in the divine order.

“The one that will rule has been decided by God before we were born. He knows the end from the beginning,” he said, urging citizens to remain prayerful while fulfilling their responsibilities.

Adeboye further addressed his participation in past civic protests, explaining that his involvement was based on directives from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“That was because the then chairman of CAN asked all Christians to go out for a peaceful protest. If he talks tomorrow and asks me to march, I will,” he said.

He emphasised that his public actions are guided by the umbrella Christian body on national issues affecting believers.

News

Xenophobia tensions: FG summons South African envoy

Published

2 weeks ago

May 2, 2026

The Exclusives

The Nigerian government has summoned the South African High Commission in Nigeria over ongoing protests in South Africa targeting foreign nationals, which have reportedly led to the killing of at least two Nigerians and attacks on Nigerian-owned businesses.

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria), Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Acting High Commissioner has been invited to a meeting scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026.

Ebienfa stated that the most senior official at the South African mission in Abuja is expected to attend the meeting.

He explained that the engagement is intended to formally communicate the Nigerian government’s deep concern over the recent incidents, which could strain the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

The statement reads: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has extended an invitation to the Acting High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa for a meeting scheduled to take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

“The objective of this engagement is to formally convey the Nigerian Government’s profound concern regarding recent events that have the potential to impact the established cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

“Discussions will primarily focus on the ongoing demonstrations by various groups within South Africa and the documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses.

“The Ministry is aware of the growing discontent among Nigerians concerning the treatment of their nationals in South Africa. Nevertheless, it implores the Nigerian public to remain calm and reiterates the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of Nigerian citizens residing in South Africa.”

News

Customer slams N50m suit on Ikeja Disco over alleged extortion, violation of rights

Published

2 weeks ago

May 2, 2026

The Exclusives

A former National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Saliu Alao Lawal, has dragged Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) Plc to court, demanding ₦50 million in damages for alleged extortion and violation of his fundamental rights.

In the suit( No ID/ADR/370/2026) filed at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja Division, Lawal averred that he had visited the Oworo Undertaking Office of IKEDC in Gbagada to lodge a complaint after discovering that his prepaid meter was no longer vending, despite continued electricity consumption in his home.

Lawal averred that he expected the company to investigate the abnormality, rectify the issue, and appreciate his honesty in willingly reporting the matter. Instead, he said that his prepaid meter was allegedly immobilised and that the electricity supply to his residence was disconnected from the pole. He was then given three options: to wait for a new free prepaid meter, as a Band A customer, albeit for an unknown period of time, or to buy and install a prepaid meter himself, or to sign an undertaking to pay a minimum monthly charge of ₦250,000 and be connected directly to the pole.

He further averred that these conditions were allegedly presented to him after meetings with one Mabel Samuel, who led the team of technicians that disconnected his electricity supply, and Mrs Bolanle Williams, the Service Manager, whom he accused of treating him with disdain and contempt.

Lawal averred further that he chose not to react to what he described as the provocative conduct of IKEDC officials and subsequently paid the stipulated sum of ₦228,115:58 for a new 3-phase prepaid meter.

Surprisingly, when the meter was eventually supplied on January 31, 2026, the technicians who brought the meter allegedly demanded an additional ₦154,000 for the installation, which he also paid. Meanwhile, his old meter had been immobilised by the company.

Lawal stated that just 23 days after the installation of the new meter, he was unable to recharge the meter and was then reportedly confronted with the shocking information that the newly installed meter carried an outstanding debit of ₦1,944,604.14.

He stated that he found it difficult to understand how such a huge debt could have been incurred within only 23 days of installation on what was supposed to be a new prepaid meter, and having previously shown proof to Mrs Bolanle Williams that he was away in the United States.

Still seeking a peaceful resolution, Engr. Lawal reportedly approached Mrs Bolanle Williams, the Service Manager, for clarification and assistance. According to him, after waiting for about one and a half hours, Mrs. Williams declined to see him and instead instructed her receptionist, one Amaka, to redirect him to Mrs. Morenike Owonaiye, the Marketing Manager of the Oworo Undertaking.

He further alleged that Owonaiye dismissed his complaints in a very unprofessional and inhumane manner, but bluntly, rudely and arrogantly told him to pay the money or forfeit the supply of electricity to his home henceforth.

Lawal described the conduct of all the officials involved as exploitative, fraudulent, rude, arrogant, and criminal in nature, especially for a company entrusted with public service delivery.

Lawal said he carefully documented the entire sequence of events in a petition submitted to the Managing Director of Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission – LASERC, so that the matter could be properly reviewed and adequate redress and compensation granted by IKEDC to no avail, hence, he decided to seek redress in court.