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Ondo Doctors To Embark On Strike Over Poor Welfare Package Doctor

Published

2 years ago

February 9, 2024

Editor

Doctors in Ondo state under the auspices of Medical practitioners in Ondo state, under the auspices of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have issued a seven- day ultimatum to the state government over the poor welfare packages of doctors in the state.

They threatened to embark on industrial action if the Ondo state government fail to meet their demands.

Their position was contained in the communique issued by the association after Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) of the association frowned over the continued exodus of doctors from the state, over poor welfare package, non-implementation of the approved hazard allowance and disparities in the salaries of doctors in the state when compared to other neighborhood state.

Chairman of the association in the state, Dr Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe, said in a communique issued said that “there is dire shortage of health personnel in the state, doctors have refused to take up employment with state government.

“This is not unconnected with the point of entry into the service which has been reviewed and approval given by the federal government to be at grade level 13 step 2 for doctors.

“However Ondo state is still using grade level 12 step 3 hence, the refusal of doctors to take up employment with the State Civil Service as witnessed in the last exercise conducted by Ondo Civil Service Commission.”

Adeyemi-Osowe added that “numerous doctors within the Ondo State Civil Service left for greener pastures locally (neighbouring states such as Osun, Lagos , Ekiti, Kwara, Delta) and internationally, African Countries: Sierra Leone, Gambia, South Africa, etc and outside the continent: United States of America , Canada, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Germany”.

“There are only 22 resident doctors at UNIMEDTHC compared to the previous figure of 150 resident doctors.

“Only a few weeks ago, eight doctors left the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit at UNIMEDTHC in Ondo State to same unit at OAUTHC, Ile Ife, Osun State”.

“The Congress observed that the following units at UNIMEDTHC do not have resident doctors under training- Orthopaedics, Burns and Plastic, Ear, Nose and Throat, Mental Health, and Paediatric surgery.

“It was noted with great concerns the collapse of neurosurgery department of the Teaching hospital – no resident doctors and no consultants in that unit presently.

“It was observed that, the state General hospitals located at Iwaro-Oka, Ipe, Irele, and Ido-Ani where we used to have at least 5 doctors per General hospital, now have a doctor per General hospital and this doctor is expected to be on call every day of the week and that same doctor is also expected to see to the day to day running of the hospital.

” This is reminiscent of the slave trade era, where slaves work every minute each day.

“The OGM noted with grave concerns the non-implementation of the approved hazard allowance; approved for all doctors in Nigeria in December 2021 and has been implemented for all doctors working with federal government for the past 26 months ago and in almost all the states of the federation. Our neighbour, Ekiti State has been enjoying it for almost one year.

“This was eventually approved by Ondo state government in August 2023; it took over 60 days before the approval could be circularized.

” It was eventually done on 23rd October 2023, with the implementation period backdated to 2nd October, 2023 but now 5 months after, no payment have been made by the state government”

The doctors’ Congress expressed sadness over the development condemned “the huge disparities in the salaries of doctors working in Ondo state and that of Ekiti state, Osun state, Kwara state, Edo state to mention a few in one hand and that of the doctors working with Federal Civil Service in another hand.

“The OGM observed with great concerns the continued decay of infrastructure in our general hospitals across the state and UNIMEDTHC, a teaching hospital. It also notes the gap in the existence of equipment in these health facilities and institutions”

The doctors, therefore resolved that, “as a matter of urgency, the state government should fast track the recruitment of health personnel in the state.

They equally resolved that the implementation of the grade level 13 step 2 as a point of entry for medical doctors should be implemented if the government wants doctors to take up employment with Ondo State Civil Service.

“The Congress resolved that the huge disparities in the salaries of doctors in Ondo State Civil Service (an oil producing state) and that of the neighbouring states especially Ekiti state ( created out of Ondo state and a non-oil producing state) should be looked into with a view to bridging the gap, without further delay.

“The State Government should as a matter of urgency set up a committee to enter into negotiation for the implementations of these noted disparity.

“The congress also resolved to give an ultimatum of seven- days to the Government of Ondo State to implement the approved hazard allowance. This being the lowest hanging fruits.

“That failure to implement this after the expiration of the seven days, the relative industrial harmony in the state health sector shall no longer be guaranteed.

“The Congress shall reconvene after the expiration of the stated period to chart a way forward.

“The OGM enjoins the state government to resolve the issues of non-availability of equipment at some critical units in our teaching hospital UNIMEDTHC (The CT scan is non-functional for over 12months, no ventilators at the ICU) etc.

“The Congress would like to plead with opinion leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, stakeholders and all Ondo state residents interested in a healthy Ondo state to prevail on our government to declare state of emergency in Ondo state health sector with the aim of proffering effective measures and solutions to the sector’s numerous challenges to achieving a healthy, prosperous and peaceful Ondo state.

“Finally, we must appreciate all our members still holding forth at all our facilities in the state despite all these numerous challenges enumerated. Let us keep giving our best to the good people of the state, while believing that we shall overcome.

News

Two Schoolchildren Electrocuted In Anambra During Rainfall

Published

1 hour ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

Tragedy struck in Nnewichi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday when two schoolchildren were electrocuted while taking shelter from the rain at a roadside shop.

The incident, which occurred at St. Peter’s Claver Junction, threw the community into mourning.

Eyewitnesses and CCTV footage revealed that several pupils had gathered at the shop to escape the downpour when the tragedy happened.

A resident near the scene, who pleaded anonymity, recounted, “Several pupils were taking shelter at the roadside shop during the heavy rainfall. But tragedy struck when the wet bodies of two of the schoolchildren came in contact with a live metal, and they were instantly electrocuted.”

According to witnesses, panic spread as the children collapsed instantly, while others narrowly escaped.

The shop owner was said to have not yet opened for business when the incident occurred.

“It took the intervention of some security officers and passers-by, who used protective gloves to evacuate the bodies,” another eyewitness said.

The incident came just days after a similar tragedy in the same Nnewi area, where a woman was swept away by floodwaters in the Uruagu community.

When contacted, the Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, noting that an investigation was underway.

“The facts are not clear yet, but the divisional police officer has been directed to find out the details for a comprehensive report,” Ikenga stated.

The latest tragedy adds to recent cases of electrocution in the state.

In May, a three-year-old girl was killed in Awka after stepping on a live cable belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.

Residents had reportedly alerted officials about the fallen high-tension wire, but it was not repaired until after the fatal incident.

A resident, identified as Uche, said, “The cable fell on Friday and wasn’t fixed until Sunday, after it had electrocuted the girl. The officials even requested ₦30,000 to fix it but didn’t show up until it was too late.”

The repeated incidents have reignited public concern over poor electricity infrastructure and safety negligence in Anambra communities.

News

Oyo Orders Traders To Vacate Airport Road In Two Weeks

Published

1 hour ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Oyo State Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to traders operating along Airport Road, Old Ife Road, and Onipepeye areas of Ibadan to vacate the roadside or face enforcement action.

The directive was detailed in a Tuesday statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju.

He warned that the state would no longer tolerate roadside trading or the placement of container shops on drainage.

According to the statement, “the government has provided markets and other designated spaces for trading across the city, making it unnecessary and unsafe for traders to occupy roadsides.”

The government said the action was necessary to safeguard lives, prevent environmental hazards, and protect public infrastructure.

It also warned that trading on walkways and blocking drainage channels increases the risk of flooding and undermines the state’s efforts to promote tourism.

“The government has a duty to protect citizens from all manner of danger,” the statement said, noting that roadside trading exposes people to serious risks.

The ultimatum expires on October 27, after which enforcement will begin.

The government said “non-compliance could lead to the confiscation of goods and prosecution of offenders.”

It appealed for cooperation from residents to ensure a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment in the state.

News

Admissions: Mathematics No Longer Compulsory For Arts Students, Says FG

Published

1 hour ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

Nigerian senior secondary school students in arts and humanities will no longer be required to present a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examination Council and National Examination Council, as a condition for admission to universities and polytechnics, the Federal Ministry of Education said on Tuesday.

For years, admission seekers in arts and humanities, like their contemporaries in sciences and social sciences, have been mandated to have five credits, including mathematics and English language, to secure admission into higher institutions.

“The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.

“The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies across the country as follows:

“Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.

“Polytechnics (ND Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programs.

“Polytechnics (HND Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Colleges of Education (NCE Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs,” a statement by the FME’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, said.

An education analyst, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, who spoke to our correspondent in Abuja, hailed the reform.

“This is a brilliant reform, which we hope will open the doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers.”

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education.

The ministry also approved a comprehensive reform of admission entry requirements into all tertiary institutions across the country, increasing the average annual intake from about 700,000 to one million students.

According to the government, the new policy aims to expand access to higher education and create opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 admissions each year.

The minister explained that the reform became necessary after years of limited access, which left many qualified candidates unable to secure admission despite meeting the required standards.

“Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance is not due to lack of ability but outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity.

“The reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students each year. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed—putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action,’’ he said.

The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.