SSANU Threatens indefinite Strike, Shuts Sokoto University Over Unpaid Allowances

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Sokoto State University chapter, has shut down services at the institution following the commencement of a five-working-day warning strike over unresolved staff entitlements.
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The union warned that it would embark on an indefinite strike if the Sokoto State Government failed to address its demands before the expiration of the warning action.

The strike, which commenced on Monday, November 2, followed the expiration of a 14-working-day ultimatum issued to the state government on October 14.

In a statement made available to journalists on Monday and jointly signed by the chapter Chairman, Ismail Bala Muhammed, and Secretary, Mansur Ahmad, SSANU said the decision followed unsuccessful attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue and engagements with relevant government officials.

The union said, “Despite repeated engagements, appeals and consultations with relevant government authorities, no concrete action has been taken to address the legitimate demands of our members.”

SSANU is demanding the payment of arrears arising from the 25 per cent salary increment, approval and implementation of the 35 per cent Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, annual salary increments for eligible members and the release of outstanding check-off dues.

The union said it had previously engaged the Commissioner for Higher Education, the ministry’s permanent secretary and the deputy governor in a bid to resolve the issues amicably.

It added that the government subsequently constituted a committee to engage university-based unions from Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education.

According to the statement, at a meeting held on October 9, the government maintained that arrears arising from the 25 per cent salary increment would not be paid, while implementation of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance would commence in January 2027, subject to budgetary provision.

However, the union rejected the position, insisting that it failed to address the concerns of its members.

“Despite resubmitting our demands as requested by the Permanent Secretary, the government failed to take any concrete action before the expiration of the ultimatum,” the statement said.

SSANU

The association maintained that the 35 per cent allowance was a legitimate entitlement, noting that similar allowances had been approved for academic staff under the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other categories of workers in state-owned tertiary institutions.

It appealed to Governor Ahmed Aliyu to personally intervene by approving the outstanding demands to prevent the dispute from escalating.

The union also called on traditional institutions, parents, students and other stakeholders to intervene and facilitate an amicable resolution.
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Lagos Court Jails Applewood Estate Suspect for Gift Card Fraud

Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on October 30, 2026, convicted and sentenced one Hassan Usman Olamilekan for offences bordering on money laundering.
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Olamilekan was convicted following his arraignment by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge of money laundering, contrary to Section 18(2)(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The count reads:
“That you, Hassan Usman Olamilekan, sometime in 2026 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly disguised the origin of the sum of $800 (Eight Hundred United States Dollars) in gift cards, which sum forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022”.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, the facts of the case were reviewed by an EFCC operative, Ebuka Abanga. The court subsequently found him guilty and convicted him accordingly.

Justice Dipeolu sentenced to a fine of N200,000 and ordered him to remit the sum of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) to the Federal Government of Nigeria. He is to remain in the Correctional centre pending the payment of the fine and restitution.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 11 Pro and a Poco C71 mobile phone, being items recovered in connection with the offence.

Investigation revealed that Olamilekan, 18, who claimed to hail from the Republic of Benin but was born in Nigeria, was involved in lottery scams and operated several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Zangi and iMessage.

He reportedly met his victim, one Gary Brewer, a United States citizen, through the Zangi application, where he impersonated a white American woman identified as Julie Leach.

Olamilekan told the victim that he had won a lottery prize of $250,000,000 and needed money to activate the winnings before he could claim the prize. He subsequently persuaded the victim to send him gift cards through the Zangi application.

EFCC, Court

The defendant admitted selling the gift cards through the Cardsonic application, converting them to Naira and transferring the proceeds to his grandmother’s OPay account. He confessed to benefiting from a total of $800 from the fraudulent scheme.

Olamilekan was among the 21 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC during a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State, on October 26, 2026.
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2027 Elections: Akpabio Urges APC Candidates to Embrace Unity, Reconciliation

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will overcome all obstacles and secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
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Governor Eno made the declaration during a special dedication service for the APC 2027 Election Campaign Council and candidates at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo, where he committed the party’s campaign and electoral aspirations to God.
The Governor explained that the decision to commence the party’s campaign activities with a church service was a demonstration of its recognition of God’s supremacy in human affairs.

According to him, the service was organised to dedicate the Campaign Council and all APC candidates contesting various positions in the forthcoming elections to God’s protection, guidance and direction.
“We deliberately chose to begin this journey in the House of God because we understand that there is a God who rules in the affairs of men.

“We may have our plans, strategies, structures and human credibility, but ultimately, it is God who directs the affairs of life and determines the outcome of every endeavour,” he said.
Referring to Proverbs 3:5-6, Governor Eno said the party’s prayer was for God to direct its path, go before its candidates and establish their steps throughout the electoral process.
The Governor, who is seeking re-election on the APC platform, stressed that the dedication was not merely an attempt to seek divine blessings for the party’s plans but a total surrender of its political ambitions to God.

Speaking on the theme of the service, “We Are Well Able”, drawn from Numbers 13:30, Eno expressed confidence that the APC would successfully deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, all its National Assembly candidates, himself as Governor and candidates for the State House of Assembly.
“We are well able because God is able. We are well able because we are trusting Him to lead us, strengthen us and direct our steps,” he declared.

He recalled that he dedicated his first-term campaign to God four years ago, a decision he said culminated in electoral success, assuring that the party would return to the church for a thanksgiving service after victory in 2027.
Eno urged members of the Campaign Council and all candidates to approach the assignment with humility, unity, discipline and a genuine commitment to service.

He cautioned party members against self-aggrandisement, internal disagreements and other distractions capable of undermining their collective responsibility.
The Governor maintained that the welfare of Akwa Ibom people must remain central to the party’s political aspirations, stressing that every ambition should be connected to the development and future of the state.

He also appreciated the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and his wife, alongside other stakeholders, for attending the dedication service.
The Governor further acknowledged the contributions of religious leaders to the peace and development of the state, assuring them of his administration’s continued collaboration.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Governor Eno for his leadership qualities and efforts in promoting peace and unity across Akwa Ibom State.
Akpabio described the Governor as a special gift from God to the state, noting that his leadership style had been exemplary and deserving of commendation.

He called on APC candidates, members of the Campaign Council and party faithful to embrace unity, warning against divisions that could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Senate President urged members to prioritise wisdom over arrogance, reconciliation over resentment and service over self-glorification.

Earlier, Archbishop Emma Isong, in his exhortation, commended Governor Eno and his team for dedicating the 2027 campaign to God.
He identified commitment to God, courage, fearlessness, unity and total dependence on divine guidance as essential principles for achieving victory.

In his welcome address, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Christian Nyong, praised Governor Eno for being a worthy ambassador of the Church and for choosing to begin the 2027 campaign with a dedication service.
Nyong also commended Christian leaders in the state for their cooperation and support for the Governor, assuring him of their continued commitment to promoting peace and unity.

Umo Eno, Akpabio

Similarly, the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, represented by the Dean of the National Ecumenical Centre, Rt. Rev. Ini Ukpuho, also an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, described Governor Eno as a Christian icon and a worthy ambassador of the Church.
He appreciated the Governor for honouring CAN during its 50th anniversary and prayed for greater accomplishments in the years ahead.

The high point of the service was the dedication of APC candidates and members of the 2027 Campaign Council to God, with prayers led by Archbishop Isaiah Isong and Bishop John Aya, respectively.
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