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Nurses Threaten Legal Action Against Council Over Verification Guidelines

Published

2 years ago

February 25, 2024

Some Nigerian nurses and midwives have threatened to take legal action against the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria over the new certificate verification guidelines.

The nurses, Desmond Aigbe, Kelvin Ossai, Catherine Olatunji-Kuyoro, Tamunoibi Berry, Osemwengie Osagie, Abiola Olaniyan, Idowu Olabode, and Olumide Olurankinse, disclosed this in a pre-action notice letter served by their counsel, Adelewa Williams & Partners.

The NMCN, in its revised guidelines, 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.

Following the new guidelines, nurses staged protests at the council’s offices in Abuja and Lagos, respectively, to express their displeasure over what they described as an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities, urging it to address nurses’ welfare, salary scale, shortage of workers, and other rights.

The pre-action letter which was addressed to the Registrar of the NMCN, Faruk Abubakar, and dated February 22, 2024, was signed by the Managing Director of Adelewa Williams & partners, Adelewa Williams.

The letter received by the Secretary-General to the Registrar of the council on February 23, 2024, was titled, ‘Pre-action notice: Notice to cease and desist from implementing the revised guidelines for verification of certificate(s) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria issued under the hand of the registrar of the council on February 7, 2024’.

The counsel for the nurses explained that the council had always regulated the verification process of Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives to which effect the guideline currently in force was issued on May 21, 2021, and provides for a three-stage process.

They, however, alleged that with the new verification process, an unemployed applicant cannot apply for verification of their certificate, since a letter of good standing must emanate from the applicant’s place of work.

They also stated that the council is setting the criteria for employment of Nigerian nurses by foreign employers and training institutions since the applicant must compulsorily obtain a letter of good standing from their place of work, a criterion that may not be requested by the foreign board(s).

The letter read, “The fate of the applicant is placed in the hands of the chief executive officer of the applicant’s place(s) of work, and where such officer refuses to give such letter, the applicant will be left with no remedy.

“This policy is in sharp conflict with the council’s policy of mandatory continuing education programmes for nurses and midwives wherein healthcare practitioners are enjoined to frequently update the knowledge in the healthcare field with a view to enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery.

“Evidently, the ‘revised guidelines’ for verification is unconstitutional, arbitrary in nature, designed in bad faith and against the interest of the nursing and midwifery profession and its practitioners, and in utter disregard of the fundamental human rights of Nigerian trained nurses and midwives as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as well the Nurses and Midwifery Act of Nigeria Act in a bid to prevent the migration of Nigerian trained nurses and midwives from pursuing career and training opportunities in a foreign land which in effect infringes the Constitutional rights to freedom of movement of these Nigerian trained nurses and midwives.”

“Furthermore, our client demands that the council issue a memo retracting the memo of February 7, 2024, within 72 hours of service of this notice on the council. Failure upon which an action shall be instituted against the council seeking the nullification of the repugnant revised guidelines,” it added.

Related Topics:Lagos Nurses Nurse Nurses verification

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UKWU! Timaya Falls On Stage While Trying To Lift Plus-sized Woman During Performance [VIDEO]

Published

1 minute ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer, Timaya fell on stage while trying to lift a plus-sized lady during performance.

The incident occurred during his ‘Ukwu’ performance at the Gbaramatu Christmas Carnival in Delta State.

Timaya in a now trending video on social media collapsed after the plus-sized woman jumped on him midday into his performance.

The singer later got up and continued his performance amid cheers from the crowd.

Watch video here

https://x.com/hypetribeng/status/2004263337572684157?s=20

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Christmas: Otuaro Preaches Peace, Unity In N’Delta, Hails Tinubu’s Support For PAP

Published

11 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Editor

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has extended warm Christmas greetings to the people of the Niger Delta, calling for renewed commitment to peace, unity and communal harmony as the region prepares to enter the New Year.

Otuaro, in a message issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, thanked stakeholders, traditional rulers, ex-agitators, youths and communities across the Niger Delta for their sustained support for the PAP and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He described peace and unity as the bedrock upon which sustainable development in the Niger Delta must continue to be built, urging the people to remain steadfast in protecting the hard-earned stability currently enjoyed in the region.

“Peace and unity remain the strongest foundations for sustainable development. As a people, we must continue to reject violence and embrace dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect as we work collectively for the progress of our region.

“I also express my profound appreciation to all stakeholders and the people of our region for your sustained support for the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” he said.

Otuaro noted that the PAP recorded significant milestones in 2025, including improved welfare for beneficiaries, enhanced educational and vocational opportunities, and strengthened reintegration outcomes, all aimed at empowering Niger Delta youths to contribute meaningfully to society.

He attributed these achievements to the visionary leadership of President Tinubu and the institutional support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which provides strategic guidance for the effective implementation of the programme.

Reflecting on the meaning of Christmas, the PAP boss described it as a season that embodies love, sacrifice, compassion and reconciliation, values that resonate deeply with the communal culture and shared heritage of the Niger Delta people.

“Christmas reminds us of the power of love, sacrifice and togetherness. These values align naturally with the communal spirit of the Niger Delta, where collective responsibility, mutual support and shared progress have always defined our identity,” he added.

He urged beneficiaries of the Programme and residents of the region to celebrate the season with moderation and a renewed sense of responsibility to their communities.

Otuaro wished the people of the Niger Delta a Merry Christmas and expressed optimism that the New Year would usher in greater opportunities, peace and prosperity for the region and the nation at large.

“As we step into the New Year, I am confident that with continued unity, peace and collaboration, the Niger Delta will record even greater progress. I wish our people a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year,” the PAP Administrator stated.

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Okpebholo Slams ₦25bn Libel Suit On Edo PDP Chairman

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has given Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, a seven-day ultimatum to pay ₦25 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements.

In a letter by the governor’s counsel, Ray Okezie, and addressed to Aziegbemi, the PDP State Chairmen was also requested to publish a public apology in three national dailies over the alleged defamatory statements.

Aziegbemi was said to have allegedly accused the governor of using thugs and non-state actors to carry out official duties.

“In the letter dated December 22, 2025, and titled ‘Demand for Damages and Apologies for Defamation of the Character of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo,’ the PDP Chairman was said to have in a press statement of December 7, 2025 portrayed Okpebholo as an unintelligent, dishonest, and, lawless person.

“Accordingly, we have the instructions of our client to demand from you the sum of N25, 000,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Billion Naira only) being compensation for the damage you have inflicted on his reputation through your said press release.

“The above stated sum must get to our client within seven (7) clear days from the date of this letter. In addition, you are required within seven (7) days to publish a retraction of the said press release in three (3) National Newspapers which must include the Guardian and the Vanguard newspapers,” the letter partly reads.

The governor’s counsel threatened to proceed on legal action in any Nigerian court should the PDP State Chairman fail to comply with the demands