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‘Our children have been sent from school, we have been rendered homeless’ – Lagos sweepers Protest non-payment of 5-Months salary by LAMATA

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9 years ago

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Sweepers employed by Dafunol International Limited, a contractor engaged by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), on Monday staged a peaceful protest over the non-payment of their five months’ salaries.

The sweepers who were in their sweeping kits and holding brooms spoke to the Newsmen in front of Motorways Premises near 7-Up, Ikeja.

They also carried placards with inscriptions appealing to the management of LAMATA to pay them their salaries.

They said that they were employed by the contractor who is into LAMATA Shelter Maintenance to be sweeping LAMATA-constructed bus shelters along Mile 12-Ketu –Ikorodu Road –Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) axis.

They said that they had not been paid since March, 2017.

Some of the inscriptions read: “LAMATA , pay us our salaries ever since the month of February,’’ “LAMATA, why are you denying us our money, you are punishing us.’’

Mrs Musiliu Akindele (70) one of the sweepers told NAN that their employer was initially paying each sweeper N10,000 per month before it was increased to N15,0000.

“We were only paid for January and February, 2017. Our employer owes each of us five months’ salary arrears.

“Most of our children had been sent out of their schools over unpaid fees,’’ she said.

Akindele said that before now, their employer used to supply them brooms to work with.

But now, we are responsible for them. With the non-payment of our salaries; we cannot afford them and this is affecting our service, she said.

“Each broom costs N200 and now that the salary is not paid, we have no means to buy them to work, ’’ she said.

Another sweeper, Mrs Morufat Egunjobi, who covers the

LAMATA bus-stop shelters around Ketu, a Lagos suburb told NAN that they usually work between 6a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Sundays.

“We do not have duty off and no motivations from our employer. Yet, our employer owes us five months of unpaid salary arrears.

“Some of us who could not cope with the harsh situation had stopped working, the rest of us are doing it on empty promises that we will be paid one day.

“We are indebted to food sellers and they had refused to sell to us on credit anymore,’’ Egunjobi said.

Also, Mrs Mero Raifu, another sweeper said that she had cultivated the habit of trekking from Ijora-Badia to Costain where she was assigned LAMATA bus-stop shelters to be sweeping.

“I have been ejected from my rented apartment by my landlord because of my inability to pay my monthly rent.

“I now sleep inside a mosque.’’

Mrs Mojisola Adejuwon said that the sweepers had two meetings with their supervisors early in the year where they highlighted their plights and there was an assurance from the supervisors that they would pay them.

“We have to resort to this peaceful protest today because our supervisors seemed to have reneged on their promises.’’

Mr Abiodun Omaike said that he had been taking care of his family from borrowing from his neighbours.

“I live around Moshalashi-Idioro on Lagos Mainland while I am assigned to be sweeping four bus-stop shelters around Fadeyi and Onipanu every day.

“Instead of sweeping one bus-stop shelter, each sweeper is assigned to sweep between three and four on daily basis and we do not complain.

“Despite this multi-tasking, we are still being owed salaries by our employer.

“We are pleading with our employer: LAMATA and Dafunol International Limited, its contractor to pay us our standing salaries.

“Through that, we will have money to take care of ourselves and be able to work efficiently,’’ Omaike said.

 

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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FirstBank Partners Eko Hotels & KEY Academy for ChessMasters 2026 Tournament

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1 day ago

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April 9, 2026

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FirstBank Set to Launch Tailored Financial Services for Blind and Physically Challenged Customers  

FirstBank Partners Eko Hotels & KEY Academy for ChessMasters 2026 Tournament

 

Lagos, 30 March 2025 – FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and the leading financial inclusion service provider, has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament. The announcement was made at the official press conference of the tournament held on 16 March 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

 

ChessMasters is an annual chess tournament designed to equip the next generation with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The competition targets children in primary school aged between 6 and 11 years old. Organised by Eko Hotels and Suites & KEY Academy , ChessMasters was created to provide thousands of children across Nigeria with opportunities to develop modern educational skills, bringing schools together on a national stage.

 

Speaking at the press conference, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said, “Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative, a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports. With over a century of supporting legacy sports in Nigeria, we are proud of our enduring partnerships – 105 years with the Georgian Cup, 65 years with the Lagos Amateur Golf Championship and 35 years with the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship.”

 

Ijabiyi further highlighted how the sponsorship aligns with FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare. “We recognise the potential of chess to help school-age children challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at the highest level, hence we see the tournament as a launchpad for a pan-African movement leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development. We are utilising this platform as another avenue to promote social impact and drive positive change in the community.”

 

Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co- Founder of ChessMasters and her partner Damilola Okonkwo of Key Academy, expressed appreciation for FirstBank’s support, noting that the partnership will help scale the impact of ChessMasters and inspire more schools to participate. “We are happy to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds. With support from partners like FirstBank, we are opening the doors of participation to more children and more schools in this year’s edition.”

 

Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, commended the initiative, emphasising its role in nurturing future chess talents. “Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children to be analytical, patient, and manage their time and resources effectively. Chess also improves concentration and has been particularly beneficial for children with autism.”

 

The second edition of ChessMasters will be held on Saturday, 2 May 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The competition is open to 150 schools across Lagos, with over 700 students expected to participate and vie for a total prize pool of N10 million.

 

FirstBank’s involvement in the 2026 edition of the tournament reinforces the potential of ChessMasters to become a launchpad for African children, leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development.

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Alpha Morgan Bank Reinforces Commitment to Education at Redeemer’s University Business School Commissioning

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3 days ago

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April 7, 2026

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Alpha Morgan Bank Reinforces Commitment to Education at Redeemer’s University Business School Commissioning

Alpha Morgan Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to education and institutional development through its support for the commissioning of the Redeemer’s University Business School.

The Business School was officially inaugurated by Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, at the commissioning ceremony attended by distinguished guests including Her Excellency, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Redeemers University, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele; and other notable dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Alpha Morgan Bank reiterated the  Bank’s commitment to supporting institutions that drive intellectual growth and national development.

As part of its broader focus on knowledge sharing and thought leadership, Alpha Morgan Bank will host its Economic Review Webinar in May 2026, bringing together experts to share insights on key economic trends and opportunities.
The Bank’s involvement reflects its continued dedication to empowering institutions and shaping the future of business and leadership in Nigeria.
Read more about Alpha Morgan Bank on www.alphamorganbank.com

 

 

PHOTO

L-R: Prof. Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, Vice Chancellor, Redeemers University, Engr.  Eloka Eje, Dr Perez Araka, Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, Mother-In-Israel, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mr Ade Buraimo, MD/CEO Alpha Morgan Bank, Dr (Mrs) Oluwatomi Somefun, Dr. Simeon Ifere, at the inauguration of the Redeemer’s University Business School, Redemption City, Ogun State on Thursday 2nd April, 2026

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Tinubu Aide Rebuts Rufai Oseni Over ₦3.3tn Power Debt Deal

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3 days ago

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April 7, 2026

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Otega Ogra: Online Misinformation Endangers Public Trust and Stability

Tinubu Aide Rebuts Rufai Oseni Over ₦3.3tn Power Debt Deal

The Presidency has strongly refuted allegations of “accounting fiction” and misinformation surrounding Nigeria’s ongoing power sector financial reforms.
O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital and New Media, took to social media to challenge comments made by Rufai Oseni, accusing the broadcaster of misrepresenting government efforts to resolve legacy debts in the electricity value chain.
At the heart of the dispute is the reconciliation of longstanding debts owed to Generation Companies (GenCos) and gas suppliers—an issue that has long constrained liquidity within Nigeria’s electricity market.
₦1.4 Trillion Reduction Explained
Responding to criticism over debt figures, Ogra clarified that total legacy obligations were reduced from ₦4.7 trillion in initial claims to a verified ₦3.3 trillion, representing a roughly 30% reduction.
“That is not spin. It is the difference between a claim and a verified obligation,” Ogra stated.
“In a regulated electricity market, submitted claims must be validated against contracts, market rules, and settlement records.”
Ogra also outlined tangible progress under the reform program, emphasizing that it has moved beyond “paper restructuring” to actual financial disbursements:
₦1.23 trillion structured under Phase I
₦501 billion already raised for the first series
₦223 billion disbursed to GenCos and gas suppliers
₦197 billion currently being processed
As of March 31, 2026, eight GenCos—covering 17 power plants—have signed settlement agreements totaling ₦2.28 trillion.
According to Ogra, the reform timeline, from President Tinubu’s July 2024 directive for a sector-wide review to Federal Executive Council approval in August 2025, demonstrates a deliberate push for transparency in a sector historically plagued by opacity.
“The real question is whether the final figure reflects verified contractual exposure. That is exactly what the review process was designed to achieve,” he said.
While defending the administration’s approach, Ogra acknowledged that clearing debts alone will not resolve Nigeria’s electricity challenges. He noted complementary reforms underway, including:
Tariff alignment based on service quality
Nationwide metering expansion
Improved payment discipline
Targeted subsidies for vulnerable citizens
In a pointed remark, he urged media commentators to distinguish between incomplete progress and misinformation:
“This is not the end of the problem, but it is a structured attempt to fix it.”
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