education

Disengaged Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Workers Beg Abia Governor Alex Otti for Unpaid Entitlements and Reinstatement

Published

6 months ago

January 29, 2025

Umuahia, Abia State – Former workers of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba (formerly Abia State Polytechnic) who were disengaged from service in 2019 have made a passionate appeal to Governor Alex Otti to pay their long-overdue entitlements. The affected workers lamented that they are dying of hunger and suffering severe hardships due to the non-payment of their salaries and benefits.

Call for Reinstatement and Payment of Arrears

The disengaged workers also demanded reinstatement, stating that they were unjustly sacked by the polytechnic management. According to them, the mass termination of their employment was a form of political witch-hunt targeted at union leaders and activists who fought for workers’ rights within the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the affected workers, Comrade Nwachukwu Chuks, the coordinator of the disengaged staff, expressed deep frustration over their situation. He revealed that over four of their colleagues have died due to their inability to afford medical care, while many others have been forced to relocate to rural areas due to financial hardship.

Workers’ Plight: Hunger, Deaths, and Educational Crisis

“We are dying of hunger and other forms of deprivation. Many of our members have relocated to their villages, and their children have been withdrawn from school because they can no longer afford rent and tuition fees. We have lost four of our members because they couldn’t afford medical bills. This is why we are pleading with Governor Alex Otti to pay our entitlements from 2019 to date,” Comrade Chuks stated.

He further stressed that since their disengagement, they have not received a single payment, and efforts to seek justice have been ignored by both the polytechnic management and the government.

“It is frustrating that neither the polytechnic management nor the government has shown any interest in addressing our plight. It is as though they believe that by terminating our employment, they have also terminated their obligations towards us. Many of us were close to retirement before we were unjustly sacked without reason,” he lamented.

Legal Basis for Their Appeal

The affected workers insisted that their employment was legally recognized by the state government and the polytechnic, with all due promotions and confirmations granted over the years. They argued that they are not only entitled to the payment of their salary arrears but also their gratuities and pensions.

“All of us were employed through due process and had our appointments confirmed with promotions as required. These actions gave statutory flavor to our employment. The government cannot just terminate our appointments without paying our entitlements,” Chuks emphasized.

Allegations of Political Victimization

The disengaged workers revealed that their dismissal was politically motivated, as it was a direct consequence of their activism within the institution.

“We were disengaged because we stood up for what was right. As union officials and leaders, we insisted on due process, transparency, and regular salary payments. The government at the time saw our actions as a challenge to its authority. Instead of addressing the salary arrears issue, they branded us as political threats and dismissed us,” they explained.

According to them, in 2019, the workers were owed 16 months’ salary arrears, and instead of resolving the crisis, the then-government declared them as agitators and removed them from their positions.

Appeal to Governor Alex Otti

While acknowledging that Governor Alex Otti’s administration did not initiate their dismissal, the workers appealed to him to intervene and correct the injustice. They commended his administration for prioritizing prompt salary payments but urged him to extend his sense of justice to their case.

“We understand that Governor Alex Otti was not in office when we were unfairly dismissed, but government is a continuum. We are appealing to him to intervene, pay our entitlements, and reinstate us. We believe he is a just leader who will listen to our cries and act accordingly,” they pleaded.

The disengaged workers are now calling for urgent government intervention to prevent further loss of lives and ensure justice is served.

education

UNILORIN VC hails AbdulSamad Rabiu on 65th birthday

Published

4 days ago

August 7, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), has congratulated the Chairman/Chief Executive of BUA Group, Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, CON, on his 65th birthday.

Prof. Egbewole, in a statement issued by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, described the Kano-born business magnate as a blessing to Nigeria and humanity.

The Vice Chancellor noted that Alhaji Rabiu’s hard work, patriotism, and spirit of giving deserve to be emulated in order for the nation to produce more of those who will always think beyond their personal interests.

Prof. Egbewole, who lauded the prominent businessman’s numerous contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria over the years, specifically thanked Alhaji Rabiu for his relentless support to several educational institutions in the country, adding that the University of Ilorin, in particular, would continue to be grateful to him for the 3,000-seater amphitheater he is currently building at the University.

Prof. Egbewole wished Alhaji Rabiu many more years of sound health, happiness, and continuous service to humanity.

End

education

BREAKING: WAEC Releases 2025 WASSCE Results

Published

1 week ago

August 4, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

In a statement posted on X on Monday, August 4, 2025, WAEC announced that candidates who sat for the examination can now check their results online.

“The West African Examinations Council is pleased to inform candidates who sat WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025, that the results have officially been released today, Monday, August 4, 2025,” the statement read.

Candidates are urged to visit the Council’s result portal at www.waecdirect.org to access their performance.

More details to follow…

education

EFCC Chair to Youths: Shun Cybercrime, other criminality

Published

2 weeks ago

July 31, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerian youths to harness their talents and energy for ventures that bring honour to the nation rather than engaging in social vices, including cybercrime, which ultimately result in regret and disgrace.

Speaking at a youth empowerment programme in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, organised by Faitheroic Generation (FHG), Olukoyede warned that criminal activities, particularly internet fraud, might appear lucrative at first but always end in tears for perpetrators.

Faitheroic Generation is a national youth empowerment organisation dedicated to building financially independent young Nigerians through freelancing, digital skills, and ethical network marketing in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“There is dignity in labour. Shortcuts through cybercrime may seem attractive, but they destroy futures and reputations. Nigeria’s youths must rise above these temptations and use their potential to build a country they can be proud of,” Olukoyede said.

Addressing over 400 youths, the EFCC boss, who was represented by Ayodele Babatunde, Head, Public Affairs Department of the EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Directorate, stressed that unemployment should never be an excuse for criminality.

“We understand the challenges young people face, but cybercrime is not a solution. You have gifts and skills that can thrive legitimately. Channel them into productive ventures, and you will enjoy lasting fulfilment,” he added.

The EFCC Chair further urged the youths to partner with the EFCC in its mission to restore Nigeria’s global image, noting that the activities of internet fraudsters had brought severe damage to the country’s reputation at home and abroad.

He concluded with a rousing slogan: “Integrity is Strength, Hardwork is Wealth, Accountability is power – Say No to Corruption!”.

In his lecture titled “Staying Safe Online and Preventing Cybercrime”, an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, James Allison, who heads the Advance Fee Fraud Section of the Ilorin Directorate, admonished the youths to be wary of becoming tools for money laundering or falling prey to fraudulent online investment scams.

“Fraudsters are increasingly exploiting people’s lack of understanding of virtual assets,” Allison warned. “They promise outrageous returns on investments, build convincing but fake trading platforms, and disappear with victims’ funds once they succeed.”

He urged participants to research thoroughly before investing in any platform, verify regulatory compliance, and avoid unsolicited offers that sound too good to be true.

“Always crosscheck investment opportunities with credible sources, ask the right questions, and never share your bank accounts for dubious transactions. Once you allow criminals to use your account, you become a complicit partner in crime,” he explained.

Allison’s lecture underscored practical steps to stay safe online, from protecting personal data and using secure digital platforms to reporting suspicious activities through the EFCC’s Eagle Eye App.

The programme ended with an interactive session where youths asked questions about legitimate business opportunities and ways to work with the EFCC in combating cybercrime.

End