By Afolabi Oyekunle. As Workers celebrate May Day today,  the leadership of the union under the National President, Comrade Shehu Mohammed and the Secretary General, Comrade Joshua Apebo have vowed their commitment to be focus and  continue to pursue the welfare of  members in the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the Federal and 36 States Public Services. This is contained in the May Day message of the Union. According to the leaders, they  have since assuming office on 12th August 2024 at the 5 th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Association held at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, convinced the Federal Government to: Restore payment of gratuity to public service employees with effect from January 2026. Payment of gratuity which  was stopped since 2004 when the Pension Reforms Act was introduced even though that law did not expressly abolish gratuity. .Agree to pay arrears of Wage Awards to Public Service Employers in the Federal...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on Thursday, April 30, inaugurated the newly-constituted  executive council members of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria, LAWAN, who will steer the affairs of the association for the next three years.  The voting, which  commenced at 10:25am, saw the re-election of Comrade Toba Agboola of the Nation Newspaper, as the  Chairman, along with six other exco members, while the position of Auditor remains vacant, as nobody showed interest for it.  Other re-elected exco members include Sunday Ojeme of New Telegraph Newspaper, as the Vice Chairman;  Adenike Owoeye-Ajiboye (Secretary) and Gloria Nwafor of Guardian Newspaper (Assistant Secretary).  Joy Obakeye of Daily Times retains her position as treasurer and Andrew Ojiezel of Leadership Newspapers emerged as the Financial Secretary. Announcing the results of the affirmation votes, the Chairman of the  Electora...

By Afolabi Oyekunle Dangote Cement Powers Global Sustainability Innovation at A4S 2026 …  Mentored Ashesi University Students reach semi in global competition   In a compelling demonstration of how business can drive positive environmental change, leading cement manufacturer,  Dangote Cement Plc (DCP) has reaffirmed its leadership in sustainable development with its mentorship offer as a Corporate Supporter of the 2026 Accounting for Sustainability International Case Competition (A4SICC), which held in Toronto, Canada.   A4SICC, a global platform that empowers students to develop practical solutions for sustainable business growth and the competition brings together top student teams from around the world to tackle real-world sustainability challenges, with winners receiving prizes of up to CA$10,000 and internship opportunities.   As part of the 2026 edition, student teams were required to select companies listed on the World Benchmarking Alliance’s...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Determined to further improve the quality of safety, cleanliness and comfort provided for passengers across its network, the Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guiding janitorial services onboard train coaches and at railway stations nationwide. NRC MD. Dr. Kayode Opeifa. The SOP was officially presented on Wednesday during a workshop organised for cleaning service providers at the Corporation’s Headquarters in Lagos. Declaring the workshop open, the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, charged participants to ensure strict compliance with the operational standards contained in the new efficiency alignment document, irrespective of their locations across the country. Dr. Opeifa observed that cleaning in modern railway operations is no longer a routine task but a strategic function that directly impacts passenger safety, customer satisfaction and operational efficiency....

By Afolabi Oyekunle. As Workers mark the May Day, set aside to celebrate Workers in the World, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Lagos state council, has called on the State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu to look into the plight of Pensioners and pay all their entitlements. Governor Babajide Sanwoolu In a joint statement to mark the May Day, signed by the Chairman, Olufemi Olanrewaju and Secretary Olukayode Bada,  the Union said the State Government is owing them, 57 months of Pension Arrears of 2019 Consequential Adjustments.  According to them, the Lagos state government also owes Pensioners 12 - months Arrears of 20 and 28 percent of Pension Rate Review of 2024, and implementation of ₦32,000, arising from the National Minimum Wage, Amendment Act, 2024. The statement said DBS Pensioners are pauparized and bed ridden adding that no fewer than 20 Members  died in the last three months due to miserable living conditions. The NUP also appealed to the Sta...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving staff welfare and workplace safety as it joined the global community to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. In a statement signed by the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr Callistus Unyimadu,  the NRC’s Managing Director Dr Kayode Opeifa, described the importance of this year’s theme, “Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organizations,” as both timely and deeply relevant to the corporation’s operations. NRC MD. Dr. Kayode Opeifa. Addressing all workers ranging from train drivers to administrative staff spread across the country, the NRC boss highlighted the demanding nature of working in the railway sector and the shared responsibility of everyone of them in ensuring passenger safety. According to the statement, workers across all the standard gauge routes—Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Ka...

By Afolabi Oyekunle.   NASCON Allied Industries Plc has rewarded its shareholders with a historic 200 per cent increase in dividend payout, underscoring a remarkable financial performance that saw profit after tax surge by over 100 per cent to N33.5 billion in the 2025 financial year, despite a challenging operating environment.   The strong performance was unveiled at the Company’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, where shareholders applauded the resilience, focus and strategic discipline of NASCON’s management and Board.  Reflecting the robust results, the Board of Directors approved a dividend of N6 per share—the highest since the Company was listed on the Nigerian Exchange, signalling NASCON’s confidence in its financial strength and long-term growth prospects.   Earnings per share (EPS) rose sharply by 115 per cent, from 577 kobo in the previous year to 1,241 kobo.  Describing the outcome as the best financial performance in NASC...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Contributory Pensioners in Lagos state have been assured that their long time awaited Pension Arears will be paid by the government. The Chairman, NUPCPS, Lagos State Council, Comrade Michael Omisande gave the assurance, while addressing CPS  Retirees at Alagutan and Idimu Zones during their monthly meetings.  CPS Chairman, Comrade Michael Omisande. He said the state government has no excuse not to pay because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tripled the monthly allocation of state governments. Comrade Omisande told the Retirees that the Pension increases and the wage award would be paid together. He said there is no doubt on the sincerity of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu to implement the Pension increase being enjoyed by Federal Retirees adding that the Actuaries compiling the increase are not resting on their oars. Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwoolu. Comrade Omisande said no fewer than 55, 000 Retirees in the state would benefit a...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Newly elected National President of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has assured that the union under his leadership will work tirelessly to uphold the dignity of labour, uphold the the good legacies left behind by immediate past leaders, collaborate with stakeholders and the government to better the economy and improve members welfare. NUPENG new President, Comrade Oladiti. Comrade Oladiti gave the assurance in his acceptance speech, at the 6th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Union, where he was unanimously elected as the new President. He assured that he will not disappoint the members of the Union for their confidence in him, as he will continue to work to improve the legacy left behind by the administration of the immediate President, Comrade Williams Akporeha and surpass it. Comrade Oladiti in his excitement moods at the Conference. He assured NUPENG members and workers that their rights and welfare w...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. A look at the Textile sector in Nigeria shows it is struggling to survive. Hitherto in the 1980's , the textile sector was to be proud of boasting of industries across the country and providing jobs to many people. Products from the textile industries then were to be proud of consisting of different brands of beautiful materials. Not only did the textile industries employed thousands of workers, they also contributed highly to the country's GDP and economic growth. However due to inconsistent economy policies which allowed influx of textile materials into the country, the once highly celebrated textile sector began to collapse leading to many companies closure and job loses. A cursory look at the textile industries today shows that only few of the companies are in existence as many had closed down. The once booming sector is now in a comatose as those in existence are still struggling with smuggle textile materials into the country. To many obse...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa has reiterated his  commitment towards training and exposure of the Corporation’s workers to the deepening of their  professional competence and attuned them to global best practices. Dr. Opeifa stated this during his interaction with the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s delegation to this  year's edition of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Week and Annual General Meeting, taking place at  the Brig Gen Abba Kyari Banquet Hall, Government House, Kaduna State.  He expressed hope that the conference would equip the delegates' with requisite skills, knowledge  and expertise in the discharge of their duties. Speaking earlier, NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr. Callistus Unyimadu, appreciated the Managing  Director and the management of the Corporation for always supporting the Public Relations Department  of the Corporati...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has got a new national president in person of Comrade  Otunba Salimon Akanni Oladiti.   New President of NUPENG Otunba Oladiti, from the informal - sector of the union,  was a National Trustee of the Union, who has also served previously in many posts. He was unanimously elected at the 6th Quadrennial Delegates conference of the Union, in Lagos. The new President is bringing into office, a vast experience in the Petroleum industry, having served in various capacity in the union.   He pledged to work  towards the welfare of the  workers interests and growth of NUPENG. In his valedictory speech at the Delegates Conference, the former President, Comrade Akporeha Williams said his terms in office was a landmark in the Union as progressive records were achieved. Acco rding to the former President, his tenure saw a robust engagements across all branches of...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Public Policy analysts, Government officials and other Stakeholders have  hailed the strategic foresight and industrial courage of the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, describing the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a transformative national asset deserving of collective appreciation by Nigerians. This position was strongly articulated at the 2026 Bullion Lecture, powered by the Centre for Financial Journalism, where the Director‑General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Professor Nnanyelugo Ike‑Muonso, declared that Nigerians owe Aliko Dangote a profound debt of gratitude for investing in the world‑class refinery.   Delivering the keynote lecture themed “From Resources to Prosperity: How Raw Materials Development, Value Addition and Innovation Can Catalyse Nigeria’s Industrial Renaissance,” Professor Ike‑Muonso said the refinery represents a decisive break from Nigeria’...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Psalms 136:1. "O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for his mercy endureth forever.".  Everyday we have many reasons to thank God, individually, and as a body. It is in line with this that members of The Christ Church of Cherubim and Seraphim, A.K.A. Bishop David Allen, behind Segun Odegbami, in Wasinmi, Oteyi, Ogun state, do celebrate harvest every year to show their appreciation to God, for his love over the church, members and the Leaders.  This year harvest comes up on Sunday 26th April, 2026, at the same venue, behind Segun Odegbami, in Oteyi, Wasinmi, Ogun state. The Theme of the Harvest is taken from, Joshua 21vs 45." "Failed Not Ought of Any Good Things". Speaking on the Harvest, the Chief Host, Venerable (Prophet) Michael Allen said God has shown mercy to the church as it continues to grow, recording miracles, signs and wonders among members. Prophet Michael said it is to show gratuity to God that the Harvest takes place ev...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has decried the plight of Pensioners in the country saying they are not duly compensated. He made the remarks yesterday at the Redemption City during a courtesy visit by the chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, contributory Pension scheme, NUPCPS, In Lagos state, Comrade Michael Omisande and his Executives. Represented by the National Overseer of the Redeemed Church in Nigeria, Pastor Sunday Akande, Pastor Adeboye said the political class is reaping the benefits of the Pensioners who laid the eggs in developing the Nation. He appreciated the efforts of the Leadership of NUPCPS Lagos State Council and assured them of prayers for accomplishments. Pastor Adeboye is optimistic that soon, things will change for better and that the Pensioners will live to enjoy the fruits of their Labor. The National Overseer thanked Comrade Omisande for his donation towards God's projects saying the seed ...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Federal Government has been urged  to  invest more in the Nigerian Railway Corporation as any amount invested would be recouped within a short period.  Callistus Unyimadu, Chief Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Railway Corporation, in a press release said members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) made the call on Monday, aboard the Kaduna-bound train from Abuja, where several chapters of the Institute members had opted to make use of the train service to travel for this year’s Annual General Meeting of the NIPR, holding at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Murtala Square, Kaduna State. They noted that Nigerians have great trust in the railway services and would be disappointed if the government fail to provide adequate funding,  because railway maintenance is highly capital intensive. The train, filled to capacity, mostly with NIPR members was transformed into a vibrant platform where many were meeting, networki...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Leadership of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)  says it has appealed against  the15 th  April, 2026 judgement obtained by Innocent Bola Audu and has filed  Notice for Stay of Execution of the judgment in the exercise of their constitutional right of appeal.                   ....ASCSN                In a press release signed by the National President Comrade Shehu Mohammed and Secretary General, Comrade Joshua Apebo, they appealed to members to remain calm as the judgement can not stand as truth will always triumph over lies  It could be recalled that in 2021, Bola-Audu was expelled by the Union after he was arrested by the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and charged to Court for alleged cases of human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable persons, the court process of which ...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. There is urgent need to deepen rail-port connectivity to enhance efficiency in Nigeria's freight and logistics ecosystem, so says the   Managing Director of the   Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa. . Dr Opeifa spoke at the Quarterly Stakeholders Engagement of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, NPCC, where he delivered one of the two keynote addresses. He emphasized that  the maritime sector reforms and the deep sea ports without an efficient rail linkage would continue to yield marginal returns. According to the Nigerian Railway Corporation Managing Director connecting all the ports by rail remains one of the sure pathway to boosting the nation’s economy . He urged other stakeholders, particularly truckers and others not to sabotage the strategic drive of rail linkages as they too have a role to play in taking the raw materials from the farmlands to the ports and in taking the freights imported through the ports to th...

By  Afolabi Oyekunle. Christ Global Network Inc, a conglomerate of Bishops and Ministers of God has frowned at increase in youths unemployment in the country and attribute it to increase in crime, social unrest and immigration of skilled youths abroad instead of staying in the country to contribute their quota towards the development of the country and called for immediate address. The Global Christians body said this during a press briefing during their Fresh Fire Conference 2026 which took place on Saturday, 11th at    Rhema Christian Church & Towers,  in Sango-Ota, Ogun State. Speaking through their Chairman, Archbishop Taiwo Akinola, Apostolic Presbyter and Founding President of Rhema Christian Church Towers, they noted that each year, hundreds of thousands of graduates enter the labour market, yet without jobs.  They said though Nigeria’s youth population remains its greatest asset; yet, in 2026, youths unemployment and underemployment continue to pose ...