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FCT Doctors Begin Warning Strike Over Sack Of Health Workers
Published
3 months agoon
By
Editor
FCT Doctors Begin Warning Strike Over Sack Of Health Workers
Healthcare services across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were grounded as doctors under the employ of the FCT Administration commenced a three-day warning strike following the dismissal of 127 health workers.
The decision was made at the end of an emergency congress of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD-FCTA, on Monday, where all public hospitals were asked to commence the strike from at 8am on Tuesday.
ARD-FCTA in a communique released at the end of the meeting, said the industrial action had become necessary following the stoppage of their April salaries by the FCT Civil Service Commission.
The communique jointly signed by the President and General Secretary of the association, Dr. George Ebong and Dr Agbor Affiong respectively, described the government’s decision to remove the affected workers from the payroll without any prior notice, proper consultation, or due process as arbitrary and unjust.
According to the ARD, the workers comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and non-clinical staff, were wrongly labelled as ghost workers and absconders, despite still being actively involved in hospital operations.
The FCT Hospital Management Board, the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, and other relevant health authorities were not consulted prior to the action, which the doctors say violated established administrative procedures.
The communique reads in part, “We observe with deep anger and utmost disappointment the arbitrary and unjust withholding of April salaries affecting 127 members of our association and other health workers, despite these staff undergoing the tedious verification process organized by the commission.
“This action was taken without any prior notice or due diligence, and this is completely unacceptable.
“We noticed how outrageously these workers were falsely tagged as having absconded and their names removed from payment platform by the Civil Service Commission, even though hospital services have continued uninterrupted.”
They further stated that, “Over 100 dedicated staff have now been denied their rightful earnings – a disgraceful decision that has caused untold emotional, physical, psychological, and financial hardship.”
The association also condemned the lack of communication from the FCT Hospital Management Board, with several hospital managing directors stating they were blindsided by the sackings.
Three managing directors and other health management personnel have reportedly been directly impacted by the Commission’s decision.
“What is equally disturbing is the complete exclusion of key stakeholders from this decision-making process by the Civil Service Commission.
READ ALSO: Power Outage: UCH Resident Doctors Embark On Indefinite Strike
“The Medical Directors of the affected hospitals, the Director General of the Hospital Management Board, the Permanent Secretary of Health, and even the Mandate Secretary were all sidelined. This lack of consultation reveals a clear breakdown in governance and accountability.
“Even more infuriating is the behavior of the Civil Service Commission. Their actions have gone beyond inefficiency – they have become a source of frustration and deliberate sabotage.
“The Chairman and staff of the Commission have shown blatant arrogance, rudeness, and disdain toward staff who approach them for legitimate inquiries.
“The utterances of the Civil Service Commission ranges from threatening words to mockery of health workers.
“They delay routine processes like post-Part 2 conversions, skipping, and promotions simply to assert irrelevant control and power. This kind of toxic and bureaucratic recklessness cannot be allowed to continue.”
The ARD-FCTA is demanding the immediate reinstatement of the affected workers and their inclusion back on the payroll, the payment of their withheld April salaries without delay, a written apology from the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Dr. Emeka Ezeh, acknowledging the distress caused by the wrongful dismissal, and the immediate resignation of Dr. Ezeh, who the doctors accuse of fostering administrative sabotage and toxic leadership.
The doctors have given the FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike a three-day ultimatum, ending Friday, May 9, 2025, to address their grievances. Failure of which, the ARD-FCTA has warned of an indefinite strike that will bring all public hospitals in the FCT to a standstill.
In addition to the warning strike, the doctors have announced plans for a peaceful protest march to the FCT Administration headquarters, seeking urgent intervention from Minister Wike.
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News
UNICEF Urges Women To Breastfeed Babies Within One Hour Of Birth, Warns Against Breastmilk Substitutes Usage
Published
6 hours agoon
August 2, 2025By
Editor
The United Nations Children’s Fund has called on pregnant women in Borno State to initiate their newborns into breastmilk consumption within one hour of birth
Speaking during the flag-off event of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week on Saturday in Maiduguri, the state capital, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Busiku, stated that only 35.5 per cent of children in Nigeria were initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, and only 28.8 per cent were exclusively breastfed
According to him, this year’s theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support System”, highlights the urgent need to prioritise actions and systems leading to equitable access to breastfeeding, especially for vulnerable women in rural and conflict-affected areas.
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He said, “Only 35.5 per cent of children in Nigeria were initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, and only 28.8 per cent were exclusively breastfed.
“Every child born in Borno State deserves to be initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, exclusively, breastfed for the next six months of life and continue breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond”
Francis also warned against the use of breastmilk substitutes and unsafe water, while noting that it poses a serious health risk to infants
“The use of breastmilk substitutes and unsafe water in our communities can pose serious risks to the health of infants. It is therefore critical that the state enacts, enforces, and monitors the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes to protect children and promote breastfeeding,” he advised.
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He emphasised that breast milk provides all essential nutrients infants need in the first six months and offers maximum protection against illness and supports health growth and development
The UNICEF boss further called on the Borno state government and stakeholders to strengthen maternal protection polices, increase funding support, revitalise baby-friendly initiatives and prioritise community-level nutrition interventions.
“Together, through strategic partnerships, innovative approaches, and sustained commitment, we can transform breastfeeding practices across Borno state. UNICEF remains steadfast in its support to the government and partners in this vital vision”, he concluded.
News
NBA Slams Niger Gov Over Shutting Down Of Radio Station
Published
6 hours agoon
August 2, 2025By
Editor
The Nigerian Bar Association has called on the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, to immediately withdraw what it described as an unconstitutional order shutting down Badeggi FM in the state.
The NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN), in a statement on Saturday, emphasised that only the National Broadcasting Commission had the legal authority to regulate or shut down broadcasting operations in the country as anything contrary will amount to press gagging.
The Association urged the governor to rescind his directive ordering the immediate closure of the privately owned Badeggi 90.1 FM.
It stressed that the action, reportedly carried out through instructions to the State Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner for Homeland Security, allegedly involved profiling the station’s owner and marking the premises for demolition.
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The statement read, “This constitutes executive rascality of the highest order. It is a blatant abuse of power that undermines constitutional democracy and the rule of law. The Governor lacks the constitutional or legal authority to revoke broadcast licences or shut down any media establishment. In Nigeria, only the National Broadcasting Commission has the statutory mandate to regulate broadcasting, including the suspension or revocation of licences, subject to due process.
“It is imperative to state that the Commissioner of Police or any security agency must not act on unlawful executive directives. Security agencies are bound by law to act within constitutional limits and not as instruments for political intimidation or media suppression.
“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression under Section 39, including the right to own, operate, and access media. No person, regardless of office, has the right to arbitrarily restrict or shut down a media house without due process of law. This unlawful closure, without regulatory sanction or judicial backing, is a dangerous assault on press freedom and democratic governance.”
The NBA further stated that Governor Bago’s directive is entirely unlawful and of no legal effect.
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Osigwe maintained that the Commissioner of Police and other relevant authorities must refuse to implement illegal orders that infringe on constitutional rights, reiterating that media regulation must follow due process through established statutory mechanisms, not arbitrary executive action.
The Association also noted that the actions taken against Badeggi FM constitute a direct affront to press freedom and violate Nigeria’s democratic norms.
“We call on Governor Bago to immediately withdraw this directive and refrain from further unconstitutional acts. The NBA also urges all levels of government to uphold the rule of law, respect constitutional boundaries, and protect the freedom of the press. A free and independent media is not a privilege – it is a constitutional right and a cornerstone of any democratic society,” the statement read.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the recent closure of Badeggi Radio by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, describing the action as a direct assault on press freedom and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, on Saturday, the Guild said the governor acted outside his constitutional powers and bypassed due process in ordering the shutdown of the station.
“This act of censorship and intimidation undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society, where a free press is essential for holding those in power accountable,” the Guild said.
Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the NGE emphasised that press freedom and freedom of expression are guaranteed rights that must be protected.
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The Guild noted that only the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission has the legal authority to sanction broadcast stations, and only after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the broadcast code.
“The closure of Badeggi Radio, a vital platform for public discourse and information dissemination, is a worrying trend that threatens the very fabric of our democracy.
“Governor Bago acted outside his powers to order the closure of a radio station. The power to sanction television and radio stations only lies with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the Code.
“We are happy that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, has pointed this out. This should go beyond observing the anomaly.
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“The Federal Government should order the unsealing of the premises of the radio station while an investigation is carried out,” the statement read.
The editors likened the governor’s action to the arbitrary clampdowns experienced during military rule, warning that such decisions erode the democratic progress made since 1999.
“Arbitrary closure of media houses reminds us of the dark days of military rule, which ended 26 years ago,” the Guild stated.
While acknowledging that Bago had alleged that the station incited violence, the Guild insisted that such a serious accusation must first be investigated and proven before any punitive measure is taken.
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“Governor Bago’s allegation of incitement of violence by the radio station is a serious issue, which has to be investigated and proven before any action can be taken. We urge the media to operate under strict adherence to the code of ethics of journalism, with responsible conduct at the back of the minds of the professionals,” the statement read.
The editors urged media professionals to operate responsibly and adhere strictly to the code of ethics of journalism, but stressed that due process must always be followed by authorities.
“The Guild reiterates that a free and independent press is essential for a functioning democracy and demands that governments at all levels respect and uphold this fundamental right,” the statement concluded.
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