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‎On June 6, 2025, Peter Obi, a notable Nigerian politician, drew attention to the distressing situation of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) staff in Awka, who have gone unpaid for five years.
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‎In a post on X at 4:30 PM WAT, Obi shared insights from his meeting with the affected teaching and non-teaching staff, describing their experiences as “shocking and heartbreaking.
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‎” These employees, hired between 2019 and 2020, have been excluded from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), a federal payroll platform, resulting in non-payment of their salaries.”
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‎He state the affected staff told him that they have written multiple petitions and appeals, both within Nigeria and international bodies but their situation has remained unchanged.
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‎He called on the Federal Government to urgently enroll the staff on IPPIS and settle all outstanding salary arrears, framing the situation as both a humanitarian and moral concern. Obi stressed that neglecting educators jeopardizes the nation’s future and that the dignity of Nigerian workers must be upheld.
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‎Anambra state government has ordered closure of Community Secondary School Awor-Ezimuzor, Ezinifite, Nnewi South Local Government Area following alleged unlawful arrest, torture and detention of Principal and Vice Principal of the school by Vigilantee group of the community.
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‎The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh who gave the directive said the school would remain closed until safety of the Principals, staff and students of the school were fully guaranteed.
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‎“The closure follows disturbing report of the unlawful arrest, torture and detaining of the Principal and Vice Principal of Community Secondary School Awor-Ezimuzor, Ezinifite, Nnewi South Local Government Area, without food, water and toilet facilities for three days by the Vigilantee group of the community.
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‎“The closure is to ensure security and safety of the students who are already traumatized by the development, even while writing their Basic Education Certificate Examination and West African School Certificate Examination
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‎“This directive will remain effective until the safety of the Principal, staff, and students is fully guaranteed.

According to Metro UK, which reported the case on Thursday, Damiro moved to the United Kingdom from Nigeria in 1971 and had worked at LSE for 13 years.

Janet Olufunke Damiro, a 71-year-old Nigerian grandmother, has been dismissed from her cleaning job at the London School of Economics after being accused of stealing a bracelet — an item she says she simply forgot to hand in.

According to Metro UK, which reported the case on Thursday, Damiro moved to the United Kingdom from Nigeria in 1971 and had worked at LSE for 13 years.

She explained that she found a gold bracelet during her shift and placed it in her purse, intending to hand it in later.

When questioned by management three days later, she returned the bracelet but was still suspended and eventually dismissed in April for gross misconduct.

“I can’t sleep. I have never had a bad record or been to HR before in my life,” Damiro said. “LSE have treated me really badly. It was my only job, and I loved working there. I never expected to be suspended or dismissed.

I did not steal this thing. If I see any items, I always hand them over. This is the first time in my life I have had a problem like this since I came to this country. It is really bugging me.”

Over 70 of her colleagues, including three supervisors, have written to the LSE management in support of her, insisting on her honesty and professionalism.

“Janet has always conducted herself with integrity and consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic,” their letter stated.

Her trade union, United Voices of the World (UVW), has appealed the dismissal and criticised how the university handled the case. Speaking with UVW, Damiro said, “I don’t steal. I’m not a thief.

I’ve worked at LSE for over 10 years without any problems. I just forgot. At my age, you can forget like that. They look at me like I’m a thief.

It’s unfair. I’ve not been myself at all, I don’t sleep at night. I don’t have a job now, but I have to pay my rent and bills. Who’s going to employ me at this age?”

The university has declined to comment publicly, citing the ongoing nature of the case.

Meanwhile, LSE students have launched a petition calling for her reinstatement and describing the punishment as “deeply disturbing” for what they believe was a “minor mistake.”

An appeal hearing initially scheduled for 22 May was postponed, with a new date now set for later in June.