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Nurses Drag Health Minister, Others To Court Over New Certificate Verification Guidelines

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Some nurses in the country have sued the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the Minister of Health among others over the new certificate verification guidelines.

The NMCN had on February 7, 2024, issued a circular revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives.

The council stated that applicants seeking verification of certificates from foreign nursing boards and councils must possess two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practising licence.

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The new guidelines came into force on March 1, 2024.

READ ALSO: Court Dismisses Suit Seeking To Stop Elections, Examinations In Saturday

As a result of this, nurses in Abuja and Lagos protested to demand the reversal of the new guidelines.

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However, some dissatisfied nurses, on behalf of their colleagues, dragged the Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria; the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; the Federal Ministry of Health; and the Attorney General of the Federation before the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja.

The complainants in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/ 76/2024, are Desmond Aigbe; Kelvin Ossai; Catherine Olatunji-Kuyoro; Tamunoibi Berry; Osemwengie Osagie; Abiola Olaniyan; Idowu Olabode, and Olumide Olurankinse.

They are urging the court to restrain the defendants or their agents from implementing the NMCN circular pending the determination of the suit.

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READ ALSO: Unlawful Arrest: Court Dismisses Kanu Lawyer’s Appeal Against Police, DSS

The nurses also urged the court to suspend the commencement of the new guidelines.

The reliefs sought partly read, “An interlocutory order restraining suspending the commencement of the 2nd Defendant” “REVISED GUIDELINES FOR VERIFICATION OF CERTIFICATE(S) WITH THE NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA” earlier proposed to take effect from the 7th of March, 2024, as indicated on the 2nd Defendant’s circular dated 7th February, 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the Claimants/Applicants Originating Summons in this suit.

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“An interlocutory order restraining the Defendants, their Partners, parastatals, subjects, counterparts. agents, servants, privies, assigns, or whoever, acting for. with or on behalf of the Defendants from taking any further step that may hinder, restrict, or infringe on the constitutional rights and freedom of nurses and midwives in Nigeria from emigrating to the country to seek better career opportunities and training abroad.

READ ALSO: Delta Killings: Suspects Arrested, Moved To Army HQ In Asaba

“An interlocutory order of the court mandating the 1st & 2nd Defendants to continue to carry out verification of certificates or any documents requested by applicants, their other intending colleagues, and other members of the Nursing and Midwifery profession within 7 days from the date of such application pending the hearing and determination of the Claimants/Applicants Originating Summons.”

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At the proceedings on Wednesday, counsel for the complaints, Ode Evans, told the court that he had just received the preliminary objection filled by the first and second defendants some moments ago.

He pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter to enable him to reply to their applications.

Evans said, “I confirmed the receipt of the application from the first and second defendants this morning. We shall be asking for a date to enable us to file our responses.”

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The judge, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, however, adjourned the matter till May 20 for a hearing.

She ordered that the hearing notice be served on the Federal Ministry of Health and the Attorney General of the Federation, who had no legal representation in court.

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Former Delta North senator Peter Nwaoboshi Dies

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Peter Nwaoboshi, the former senator representing Delta north, is dead.

Details of the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear at the time of this report, but according to reports, the former senator died in Abuja on Friday, aged 68.

In a statement, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, expressed “profound grief” over the demise of the former lawmaker.

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The governor described his demise as a monumental loss to the state, the Anioma nation, and Nigeria.

READ ALSO:Woman Taken For Dead Wakes Up Inside Coffin Few Minutes To Her Cremation

In a condolence message signed by Festus Ahon, his chief press secretary (CPS), Oborevwori hailed the late Nwaoboshi as a dedicated son of Delta and a bold champion of Anioma interests, whose legacy in nation-building will endure.

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The governor said the late senator’s distinguished tenure in the national assembly, particularly as chairman of the senate committee on Niger Delta affairs.

Nwaoboshi lived a life of service to his people, his party, and the country, bequeathing a heritage of bravery, loyalty, and commitment to public duty,” Oborevwori said.

READ ALSO:Fourteen Nigerian Banks Yet To Meet CBN’s Recapitalisation Ahead Of Deadline

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“On behalf of the Delta State government and people, I mourn my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.

I extend deepest condolences to his family, the Anioma people, members of the All Progressives Congress, and everyone touched by his life.

“May God grant his soul peaceful rest and comfort to all who grieve this irreplaceable loss.”

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Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

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The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.

The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.

In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.

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Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.

READ ALSO:2025 NYG: Enabulele Charges Edo Coaches On Performance

Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.

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In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.

Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.

In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.

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READ ALSO:Enabulele Lauds Okpehbolo For Creating Enabling Environment For Football To Thrive

He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.

The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.

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Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.

Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.

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Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

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The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.

He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).

Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.

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The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.

READ ALSO:IPF Hosts Media Conference, Seeks Protection For N’Delta Environment

“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”

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Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.

He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.

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