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FG Suspends Circular On Doctors’ Allowances

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The Federal Government has suspended the recent circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, reviewing the allowances of medical and dental officers in the federal public service.

The controversial circular, dated June 27, 2025, with reference number SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646, drew widespread criticism from medical associations, including the Nigerian Medical Association, the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, among others.

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The NMA had on July 2 issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw the circular and meet its other demands to avert industrial action in the health sector.

The President of the NMA, Prof. Audu Bala, said the circular contains provisions that were not mutually agreed upon and which undermine the remuneration and welfare of medical professionals.

READ ALSO:Doctors Warm Up For Nationwide Strike

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The NMA warned that it will ground medical services nationwide if the government fails to meet its demands at the expiration of the ultimatum by July 23.

Speaking exclusively with our correspondent on Monday, the President of NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the circular has been abolished for further deliberations.

Arising from the meeting chaired by Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy with his capacity as the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Salaries today, it was agreed at the implementation of circular with reference number SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646, dated June 27, 2025, should be suspended to allow for further consultation with various professional associations.

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“So, it has been suspended for further negotiations,” Osundara stated.

READ ALSO:Ondo NMA Rejects FG’s Plan To Review Doctors’ Allowances

Earlier, the Federal Government held further high-level meetings with representatives of the NMA in a bid to forestall industrial action.

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The NMA President, Prof. Audu Bala, noted that the government appeared committed to resolving all concerns raised by the association and demonstrated seriousness during the discussions.

Also, a circular exclusively obtained on Monday by our correspondent dated July 18, issued by the office of the Executive Chairman of the NSIWC and addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, the Honourable Ministers/Ministers of State, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and others confirmed the development.

READ ALSO:NMA Gives FG 21 Days To Avert Doctors’ Strike

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The circular numbered SWC/S/04/S.218/III/658 was titled, “Re: Review of allowances for Medical/Dental and other health professionals in the Federal Public Service.”

The circular signed by the Chairman, NSIWC, Ekpo Nta, noted, “Arising from a meeting chaired by the Hon. Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy in his capacity as the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) today at 3:00 pm, it was agreed that implementation of Circulars Nos: SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646 and SWC/S/04/S.218/III/651 dated 27th June 2025 respectively; and SWC/S/04/S.410/VII/658 dated 30th June 2025 should be suspended to allow for further consultation with the various Professional Associations and Unions in the Health and Education Sectors.”

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“May May The South Of Former President Bola…,” Uzodinma Trends After Public Gaffe 

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The Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma is currently trending on Social Media over a gaffe he made while eulogizing late Ex-President, Muhammadu Buhari.

It was learned that Uzodinma, while speaking at the Constitution Review Zonal Public Hearings in Owerri Center for Imo and Abia State on Saturday, made the error during a prayer for late Buhari.

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READ ALSO:Nigeria’s Economy Grew By 3.13% In Q1 2025 — NBS

The Governor said;” May the Soul of Former President Bola (pauses)…..Former President Muhammadu Buhari  and the souls of all the departed through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace”

Watch the Video Below:

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Ex-Lagos Governor Fashola Gets International Appointment

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Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Resolve to Save Lives Nigeria (RTSL Nigeria), an international public health organization.

The appointment was announced on Friday by RTSL Nigeria, a health-focused body working to prevent cardiovascular diseases and epidemics.

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The group, which opened an office in Abuja in 2022, partners with governments and communities to tackle some of the world’s deadliest health threats.

READ ALSO:FG Arraigns Man Who Accused Fashola Of Writing Presidential Tribunal Judgment

Reacting to the appointment, Dr. Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Fashola to the RTSL Nigeria Board of Directors. He has demonstrated a commitment to improving lives and livelihoods in Nigeria through more than two decades of public service.”

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Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), previously served as Minister of Power, Works and Housing under President Muhammadu Buhari. He was also the Chief of Staff in Lagos State before becoming governor from 2007 to 2015.

During his tenure, Fashola was instrumental in managing Nigeria’s response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak, earning him international recognition, including the Stephen J. Solarz Award from the International Crisis Group.

READ ALSO:Lagos LG Poll: Fashola Absent At Polling Unit

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In his acceptance remarks, Fashola said he was honoured to join the board and pledged to support the organization’s mission.

I look forward to helping continue the progress in stopping preventable deaths from cardiovascular diseases and infectious disease outbreaks,” he said.

Ibrahim Abubakar, a fellow board member and Dean at the University College London Faculty of Population Health Sciences, described Fashola’s inclusion as a valuable asset, citing his governance experience and leadership during health crises.

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ICRC Warns Of Rising Malnutrition As North-East Faces Food Shortages

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As food insecurity deepens across North-East Nigeria, farmers in conflict-affected areas are battling hunger, displacement, and limited access to land—all while striving to feed their families and communities.

This is according to a press statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which was obtained on Monday.
The ICRC also said more than 3.7 million people in the region are currently facing food insecurity. Many of them are farmers who have lost access to their farmlands due to persistent violence and displacement.

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Speaking, according to the statement, Modu Umar, a community leader in Dikwa, said, “Right now, we face severe food shortages. Some families are forced to walk long distances every day to collect firewood just to sell and buy food. Farming is the only solution to hunger.”

Also, a 70-year-old farmer, Churi Ibrahim from Gajibo, noted that insecurity has drastically limited movement in rural areas, with many farmers trekking for hours to access their fields under the threat of attack.

READ ALSO:PSC Promotes 12 AIGs, 226 Other Senior Police Officers

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Some people trek three hours to reach their farms. By the time you reach your farm, you’re already exhausted, and when you return home, it’s late. For a large family like mine, sometimes, we don’t even get one meal a day,” Gajibo said.

Despite the danger and fatigue, many continue farming out of sheer necessity. “Even when you’re afraid, you have to go. If you don’t farm during the rainy season, you’ll have nothing to eat,” said Bintu Konto, a mother of five.

As the lean season begins—a time when food stocks run low and prices rise—households are under growing pressure. “This is when households must start purchasing food, but many conflict-affected families can’t afford much. They’re forced to drastically limit their intake,” Head of the ICRC Office in Maiduguri, Diana Japaridze, said.

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The statement also said, ”The food crisis is also fuelling rising levels of malnutrition, particularly among children under five and pregnant or breastfeeding women. In response, the ICRC is supporting malnutrition stabilisation centres and conducting community education to help families care for vulnerable children.

READ ALSO:27-year-old Delta Man Nabbed For Lover’s Death

To build resilience and support long-term recovery, the ICRC has launched an agricultural assistance programme targeting both rainy and dry seasons. This year alone, over 21,000 farming households have received seeds tailored to local conditions, along with planting tools designed to reduce labour and increase efficiency.

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”The support includes staple crops like rice and maize as well as vegetables such as tomato and okra, helping to improve dietary diversity and nutrition. Farmers are also receiving training in sustainable agricultural practices to help them maintain production beyond the lifespan of ICRC’s support.

”At the national level, the ICRC has partnered with the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) to complete repairs on a vital water source. This facility now ensures uninterrupted water supply for NASC’s seed testing and greenhouse operations, a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s broader agricultural system.

“Still, the lean season remains a painful period for many farmers who simply cannot grow enough to meet their families’ needs.

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“For many of us, it’s not just about farming—it’s about survival,” said Churi Ibrahim. “When you can’t feed your children, every day becomes a struggle.”

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