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Nurses Threaten Legal Action Against Council Over Verification Guidelines

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO: INEC Admits IReV Portal Experienced Challenges During 2023 Presidential Election

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.

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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.

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READ ALSO: JUST IN: Lagos Nurses Protest New Certificate Verification Guidelines

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.

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“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.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Abuja Nurses Protest New Certificate Verification Guidelines

“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.”

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“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.

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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