Connect with us

News

FCT Doctors Begin Warning Strike Over Sack Of Health Workers

Published

on

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.
“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.

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

on

 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

Advertisement

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

READ ALSO:

Advertisement

Continuing, DSS said Ezenwa’s arrest underscores the Service’s determination to safeguard Nigerians from the fraudulent schemes of unpatriotic elements. “Citizens are therefore encouraged to remain vigilant, verify information from official sources and report suspicious recruitment adverts or individuals attempting to extort money under false pretense.”

The agency assured that it will continue to protect the integrity of its recruitment process while ensuring that perpetrators of fraud face the full weight of the law.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

on

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

on

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

Advertisement

Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

READ ALSO:Obi Blames Tinubu For 70% Investment Crash

Advertisement

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

Advertisement

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Subsidises Kidney Dialysis Cost By 76% In Federal Hospitals

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

Advertisement

I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending