Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

Workers drawn from the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, are currently gathered at the Eagle Square, Abuja in their large numbers to commemorate the 2025 May Day festivities.

This year’s festivity comes barely a few months after the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, increased the National Minimum Wage to N70,000.

 

The struggle for a review of the minimum wage followed the removal of fuel subsidy by the Tinubu administration on May 29th, 2023.

Despite the increase, some workers have called for further review of the minimum wage, especially with the high inflationary trend in the country.

 

May Day, which is usually observed on May 1st, is set aside globally to commemorate the efforts of workers, especially their contributions to nation building.

 

At the Eagle Square Abuja, on Thursday, morning, workers were seen in high spirit, with some chanting solidarity songs.

 

Many of the affiliate union members making up the Trade Union Congress, TUC and Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, were seen putting on colourful branded attires showcasing their unions.

 

As of the time of filing this brief report, it was not clear if President Bola Tinubu will be attending the event personally or will be sending a representative

 

1. Amotekun Operative Killed In Iwo Ambush By Armed Hoodlums

The Osun State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has confirmed the death of one of its operatives, Mr Lamidi Abiodun, following an ambush by suspected armed hoodlums in Iwo, Osun State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Papa boundary area of Iwo, shortly after local farmers in the Papa Farm area raised an alarm over an attack on their farmland.

In response to the distress call, operatives of the Osun Amotekun Corps and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) mobilised to the location to counter the attackers and secure the area.

According to the agency’s spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu Abass, the joint team was ambushed by armed men suspected to be led by a notorious criminal identified as Akeem Olofa.

“Upon arrival, the operatives were attacked by the armed group. Mr Lamidi Abiodun was fatally wounded with a machete to the head after bullets failed to penetrate his body,” Abass stated.

He explained that the fallen officer died instantly at the scene of the attack, while most other members of the team managed to escape.

One member of the Vigilante Group, Mr Nurudeen Alowonle, remains missing following the ambush, while another operative, Alex Sola, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.

The Osun Amotekun Corps described the death of Mr Abiodun as a tragic loss to the agency and the wider security community in the state.

“This is a very painful incident for us. Mr Abiodun was a committed officer who died in active service,” the PRO said.

The agency has since reported the matter to the Nigeria Police Division in Iwo for further investigation and appropriate legal action.

Mr Abiodun’s remains have been deposited at a local mortuary, pending further procedures and burial arrangements.

Security officials in the state have vowed to intensify efforts in apprehending the attackers and ensuring justice is served.

“The perpetrators of this heinous act will not escape justice. We are working closely with other security agencies,” Abass assured.

He urged members of the public to assist with relevant information that may lead to the arrest of those involved in the ambush.

The Osun Amotekun Corps reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state, despite the tragic incident.

Condolences have been extended to the bereaved family of Mr Lamidi Abiodun, as the agency honours his sacrifice in the line of duty.

Osun Begins Marking of Iwo Major Road Dualisation

 

Osun State surveyors commenced work at the site of Odo-Ori/Adeeke Road earmarked for expansion and dualisation by the government of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

A Ministry of Works delegation which visited Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, on April 17 for consultation had assured the monarch and community leaders that the work would start on the road in a matter of days.

Keeping its words, the surveyors started the marking of the road and delineation of structures to be potentially demolished for the project to meet specifications.

 

Leading the surveyors was Mr. Taofeek Oyebamiji. He explained that the Odo-Ori roundabout would have a roundabouts of 30 metres with a 15-metre-long radius.

 

Although the project was designed to start at the roundabouts, it would extend by junction, it would extend by 125 metres to Agbowo Road, 136 metres to both Osogbo and Ibadan Roads.

 

He went further to say that the main road would be widened by 35 metres. When divided into two, each carriageway would be 17.5 metres (~57 Feet)

“It is our mandate to carefully mark the road so as to delineate the curves, alignment and the structures to be touched by this project. This is the preliminary stage of the construction and what we are able to achieve here will give a clear direction to the construction engineers that would handle the work,” Oyebamiji said.

 

“We are glad that community people are calm and they seem to be cooperative. It shows that they already have an understanding of why we are here.”

 

“We will conclude our own part of the work in few days time. I am sure that the contractors would immediately mobilise their equipment once we are done and file our technical report.”

 

“It is important to state that the first phase will begin at Odo-Ori junction and terminate at the Post Office in Oja-Ale. The phasing of the work will ensure a speedy completion and reduce the stretch of period the road would be blocked and open it up for public use.”

 

Road users appeared to be excited about the possibilities and ease of commute the project would bring to them.

 

When speaking, Mr. Babatunde Wasiu, expressed what seemed to be in the minds of the people. “This will definitely add more beauty to our community. But more importantly, it will enhance transportation and public safety. Placed side by side, the benefits obviously outweigh any temporary inconvenience we will witness,” he said.

 

“For me, if buildings are demolished, it is for the greater good and I am fully ready to cooperate with the government. The government should also do justice to property owners by paying them compensation for their properties.”

 

Following the first visit to the Oluwo, the monarch convened a town hall on 21st of April where he formally intimated residents of the project and the proposed demolition of some roadside structures for public good.

 

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The palace of the Timi of Ede in Osun State, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, on Monday, announced the indefinite suspension of the Loogun of Ede, Chief Jimoh Kabir, from office.

A statement made available to The PUNCH by the Timi’s palace said Kabir had allegedly disregarded the authority of Oba Lawal and engaged in land grabbing.

It was also stated that the decision to suspend Kabir was taken by the Timi-in-Council, the highest traditional decision-making body in the town, following a series of complaints against the now-suspended chief.

“The Timi-in-Council, the highest traditional body in Edeland, has suspended Chief Jimoh Kabir as the Loogun of Edeland.

 

The decision to suspend the Loogun followed a series of allegations of land grabbing, flagrant disrespect for law and order, as well as disrespect for the stool of Timi Agbale Olofa Ina of Edeland.

“The Timi-in-Council said it is unbecoming of a subject of His Majesty, the Timi of Edeland, to be engaged in illegal land grabbing unrepentantly, as several attempts to check him have proven unproductive,” the statement read.

 

The Council further stated that its action became necessary to restore sanity, insisting that the suspension remains in effect until further notice.

Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis has died.

Francis died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced.

 

In a post on the social media platform X, the Vatican said the pontiff died in his residence

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

 

He had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia.

 

“Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.

At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican’s TV channel.

 

Pope faced fierce criticism from conservatives, who accused him of trashing cherished traditions.

 

He also drew the ire of progressives, who felt he should have done much more to reshape the 2,000-year-old Church.

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has condemned the burning of Ilesa High Court 2 building by hoodlums, describing the arson as “an unjustifiable attack on the state judiciary”

 

This was contained in a statement issued by Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to Gov Adeleke On Monday.

 

The incident which happened Sunday night led to the destruction of court sensitive documents and exhibits with the entire building largely burnt to the ground.

 

According to report, the state fire service was mobilised to the scene but the havoc was already over by the time of their arrival. Reports indicated that files relating to sensitive court cases were destroyed.

 

Governor Adeleke in the statement directed thorough investigation into the incident as well as beefing up security across all court premises in the state.

 

“Thorough investigation must be conducted by the security agencies to apprehend the suspects and ensure they face the consequences of their actions. I further direct security agencies to beef up surveillance across the various court buildings.

 

“Additionally, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is to join hands with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for the immediate rehabilitation of the burnt down building.” the statement noted.

 

Governor Adeleke who described the attack as a threat to democracy said the judiciary remains the stabilizer and critical arbiter of the democratic process, urging support rather than attack for the judiciary.