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Doctors Strike: FG, NMA, NARD Reach Truce

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2023

The Federal Government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), geared towards halting the five-day nationwide warning strike of resident doctors.

The MoU was signed at the end of a conciliation meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige in his office on Friday.

The meeting which lasted for about five hours addressed all the eight issues raised by the striking resident doctors.

They are the non-payment of salaries of doctors by state governments, domestication of the reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for the year 2023, the bill at the National Assembly on the bonding of doctors for five years before licensing, the circular on immediate replacement of exited doctors, and immediate payment of the 2023 MRTF.

The others are arrears of Consequential Adjustment on Minimum Wage, Skipping Arrears and the review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

In the MoU released to journalists after the meeting, they agreed that health is on the Residual List and not the Concurrent List of the Constitution and hence, the Federal Government cannot compel the state governments to effect the payment of salaries and allowances in the health sector.

Consequently, NMA and NARD were advised to embrace more persuasion and social dialogue at the state level.

Regarding Abia State where doctors have been on strike for several months for perennial non-payment of salaries, the meeting noted that the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) has taken the matter to the National Council on Health (NCoH) in Abuja, which looked into the matter and asked the Abia State Government to pay up for good health delivery to the people.

They equally agreed that the states cannot be compelled to domesticate the MRTF and must not pay the same amount being paid by the Federal Government. They advised NARD to reach out to states that are not paying and negotiate with them, even if the rates are lower than that of the Federal Government MRTF.

On the bill of bonding of doctors for five years before licensing, sponsored by Hon. Ganiyu Johnson from Lagos State at the National Assembly, they agreed that the Executive Arm of Government cannot interfere with it, being a private member’s bill and not an executive bill.

The meeting therefore resolved to await the public hearing for the bill, where the doctors will deal with the bill through the NMA, to ensure it does not see the light of the day.

On the replacement of exited doctors, the meeting noted that the recommendations of the Federal Ministry of Health Brain Drain Committee have been forwarded to the office of Head of Service of the Federation (OSGF) for further action.

The OSGF was directed to engage all stakeholders by Wednesday, May 24, 2023 on the matter to ensure the approval of the implementation plan on or before June 5, 2023, for transmission to teaching hospitals and federal medical centres for implementation.

They agreed that the fund for the payment of the 2023 MRTF has been captured in the 2023 Appropriation and payment would commence when the operation of the 2023 Budget begins. It was noted that the budget office had requested for a comprehensive list of all resident doctors in the federal tertiary health institutions from the Federal Ministry of Health and same has been forwarded appropriately through the Ministry of Health by the Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria for payment to commence as soon as funds are cash backed by the office of Accountant General of the Federation.

On the issue of doctors omitted in the payment of Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustment, the meeting resolved that NARD should re-present the list on Monday, May 22, 2023 to the FMoH, with annexes of the old submission and same copied the office of Minister of Labour and Employment.

Following information that the matter of skipping arrears is pending in court, the Minister of Labour asked the Minister of Health to produce evidence to him for noting and necessary action.

With respect to CONMESS, the meeting resolved that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), should adopt the percentage used for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university unions, which would include rise in allowances, while relativity of the increase would be maintained when other consolidated scales are considered.

It was agreed that the proposal would be presented to the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) in their next valedictory meeting for final action, to enable NSIWC issue the relevant circular seven days after the PCS meeting.

The NSIWC earlier informed the meeting that it was yet to receive any agreement between the FMoH and NMA on CONMESS. The commission said it wrote a letter to the FMoH, asking for the details of the agreement.

The meeting directed the Permanent Secretary of FMoH to provide a response to the letter on or before May 23, 2023. The Minister of Labour corroborated that he received a report of the meeting from the FMoH.

In conclusion, the meeting agreed that NARD officers are to present the outcome of the MOU to their members in an emergency meeting within 48 hours with a view to suspending the strike they embarked on last Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

Signatories to the MoU on the government side are Dr (Mrs) C.M. Yaya Kolade (NSIWC), Dr. Salma Ibrahim-Anas, the Director of Hospital Services, FMoH, Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary of FMoH and Okokon E. Udo, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO), OSGF. The President of NMA, Dr. Uche Ojinmah and his counterpart of NARD, Dr. Emeka Orji signed on behalf of the doctors.
VANGUARD

News

PHOTOS: President Tinubu Receives Queen Mary Of Denmark At State House

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.

The monarch, who paid a courtesy visit to the President, was welcomed at the President’s official residence within the State House.

Queen Elizabeth was accompanied by the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, were present at the reception.

Following the reception, a closed-door meeting occurred, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Denmark.

In a statement he signed and released vis his verified X page, President Tinubu said the conversation between him and the monarch was constructive and forward-thinking.

It was a distinct privilege to receive Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark today at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Together with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, we welcomed Her Majesty on this important visit to our country.

“It was a distinct privilege to receive Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark today at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Together with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, we welcomed Her Majesty on this important visit to our country.

“Our conversation was warm, constructive, and forward-looking, grounded in mutual respect and the enduring ties between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Denmark. Her Majesty’s presence here stands as a mark of goodwill, shared values, and a renewed commitment to deeper cooperation across key areas,” the President said.

President Tinubu expressed his government’s commitment to partnerships that open opportunities for Nigerians.

“As a government, we remain committed to partnerships that uplift our people, open new opportunities for prosperity, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.

News

53 Suspects Arrested Over Benue, Plateau Wedding Killings — IGP Egbetokun

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday announced that 26 persons who actively participated in the killings in Yelwata Community, Benue State, on June 13, 2025, have been arrested.

Egbetokun said 47 people were confirmed to have been massacred during the attack, while 27 others sustained various degrees of injuries.

He said two of the bandits who were part of the attackers had earlier been killed on the ill-fated day by police operatives when they attacked the police station in the community.

The IGP said, “As you will all recall, on June 13, 2025, between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., armed militias invaded Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, killing and maiming any soul on sight.

“The invaders rampaged and pillaged the community, setting several houses ablaze and maliciously destroying other properties and people’s means of livelihood.

“It was a coordinated attack of terror against the community.

“In this senseless and barbaric attack, forty-seven (47) persons were confirmed killed, twenty-seven (27) persons sustained various degrees of injuries, and hundreds of others have been displaced but not dead.

“The police and other security agencies responded with adequate deployment of personnel and resources, including the deployment of tactical units and special forces, to restore confidence in the affected community and neighbouring communities.

“Also immediately deployed were detectives from our Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who swung into action, launching a manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

“I am pleased to inform you today that twenty-six (26) persons directly connected to this crime have so far been arrested and their weapons recovered.

“On 19th June, two (2) prime suspects who were masterminds of the attack were apprehended from their hideout.

“This arrest led to the arrest of seven (7) other suspects on the following day, 20/06/2025, who were picked up from various locations where they had fled, hoping to evade justice.

“On 21st June, another key suspect in whose house the initial meetings to plan the attack were held was arrested.

“On 22nd June, a major breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of eighteen (18) other suspects who directly took part in the killings.

“On 23rd June, our detectives recovered two (2) GPMG and eight (8) AK-47 rifles, which were part of the weapons used during the attack.

“All 28 suspects are currently in custody and have voluntarily confessed to their individual and collective roles in the attack.

“As I speak, legal proceedings are being finalised, and they will be charged to court without delay.

“We will go after anyone—planner or executor—who attacks any community in Nigeria. We will leave no stone unturned until every single individual responsible for the killing of innocent Nigerians is arrested and brought to justice.

Plateau

“Similarly, on 22nd June 2025, a heartbreaking incident occurred in Mangu, Plateau State, where a bus conveying passengers from Zaria was stopped and attacked by a mob.

“Tragically, nine (9) of the passengers were murdered, and three (3) sustained injuries before our teams could intervene and rescue the remaining twenty-two (22) victims.

“So far, twenty-two (22) suspects have also been arrested in connection with this gruesome act of mob violence.

“They too will face the full wrath of the law in court.

“Again, yesterday (Monday), 23/06/2025, another ugly incident was recorded in Benue, where two (2) persons travelling in a truck were killed at Agan Area, North Bank, Makurdi.

“Five (5) persons connected to the incident have so far been arrested and will also be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Let me use this opportunity to issue a stern warning: jungle justice, mob action, and taking the law into your own hands have no place in a civilised society.

“Every Nigerian has the right to life and a fair trial. We will not tolerate any individual or group who attempts to be judge, jury, and executioner.

“Those inciting violence and killing innocent Nigerians are warned to desist forthwith.

“The recent trend of reprisal killings—where innocent citizens are murdered in retaliation for crimes committed by others—is barbaric, senseless, and dangerous.

“It does not bring justice. It only fuels further hatred, inflames tension, and perpetuates the cycle of violence.

“I want to unequivocally condemn the recent spate of violence across our nation.

“This is not who we are. Violence is not the answer. I call on all Nigerians—regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background—to choose peace, embrace dialogue, and work together for the unity and prosperity of our country.

“I call on all communities across Nigeria to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and cooperative.

“The security agents deployed to your communities are there to protect you. Work with them. Share information. Stay calm. Together, we will overcome these dark forces.

“I must acknowledge that the breakthroughs we have recorded—both in Benue and Plateau States—would not have been possible without the strong collaboration and synergy among all security agencies.

“The Nigeria Police Force continues to work hand-in-hand with the military, DSS, NSCDC, and other partners in pursuit of one common goal: to safeguard the lives and property of every Nigerian citizen.

“Our commitment to inter-agency cooperation remains firm and unshaken.

“I wish to thank Mr. President for providing the required support that facilitated the speedy arrest of the perpetrators of the Benue and Plateau massacres.

“I thank the Nigerian people for their continued cooperation. Your support strengthens our resolve. As we move forward, we appeal for even greater collaboration as we work tirelessly to rebuild trust, restore order, and ensure lasting peace across our dear country.”
(VANGUARD)

News

Lagos To Divert Traffic Ahead 110-day Repair Of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has released a diversion plan ahead of repair of the Ogudu/Ifako Bridge which will take 110 days.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Osiyemi said that the repair postponed earlier would begin from June 28 and end on Oct. 15.

The commissioner said that the repair was expected to be carried out in eight phases on both lanes.

“The first to fourth phases, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge inbound Alapere, will commence from Saturday, June 28 and end on Saturday, Aug. 16 (50 days).

“Phases five to eight, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako inbound Oworoshoki, will be fixed between Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 5 (51 days),” he said.

He advised motorists to use alternative routes during the partial closure of the bridge for the repair.

“Alternative routes for phase one: Motorists from Iyana Oworo will go through Gbagada to connect Anthony to access Ikorodu Road after which they will have free movement to their desired destinations.

“One lane will be used near work area (50m before and after).

“For alternative routes for phase two, motorists from Eko Bridge will go through Funsho Williams Avenue to connect Ikorodu Road,” he said.

Osiyemi gave the assurance that officers of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority would be on ground to minimise inconveniences and manage traffic on the routes.

“Motorists are implored to be patient during the partial closure of the bridge (50m before and after repair site).”

(NAN)