News

Resident Doctors Seek Gov Makinde’s Intervention On LAUTECH’s Teaching Hospital

Published

2 years ago

August 1, 2023

Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso says Gov. Seyi Makinde’s urgent intervention is needed to halt the hospital’s declining state.

The Association, through its President, Dr Sope Orugun, and General Secretary, Dr Nnara Stanley, said Gov. Makinde urgently needs to address the challenges bedeviling LAUTECH Teaching Hospital (LTH).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association had on many occasions earlier sought the intervention of successive governments in the state over the hospital’s declining condition.

The hospital has the capacity to train health workers of different cadres to meet the demands of the citizens of the state and beyond if properly administered.

The ARD LTH, in a statement by Orugun and Stanley, listed some of the hospital’s challenges as shortage of manpower, poor remuneration, brain drain, poor infrastructure and poor financial investment.

“This hospital’s founding fathers had committed huge funds to infrastructural development towards achieving their vision.

“But, sadly, successive governments have abandoned the investment with little or no financial commitment to the improvement of the hospital’s fortune,” it said.

The ARD said many categories of health workers had been lost to poor remuneration and excessive workload caused by the shortage of hands and the “JAPA” syndrome plaguing the nation.

It pointed out that all federal and state government-owned tertiary hospitals in South Western Nigeria have started the payment of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).

The doctors however said the only exception in their geo-political zone were those owned by Oyo and Ondo State Governments.

“The MRTF is meant to cater for update, revision courses and examination expenditures, and stands out as a major ‘push factor’ for resident doctors from the centre.

“Most recently, Benue, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara and Nasarawa states have either given approval for payment or effected the same. Sadly, most of these states started negotiations regarding the MRTF long after Oyo state.

“MRTF is similar to the fund paid to other workers to cater for their on-the-job training.

“Oyo state which ought to set the pace has however lagged far behind in the adoption and domiciliation of the MRTF in spite of all efforts from ARD LTH Ogbomoso since 2021,” they said.

The association stated that it would shock many to know that Oyo State Government still pays its health workers less than 5,000 Naira monthly as hazard allowance.

It added that the amount was ridiculous in view of the current economic hardship in the country and the geometric rise in inflation rate and prices of commodities.

“In addition to this, the CONMESS being paid now in the state was last reviewed in 2009, which contravened the agreement of a review every five years.

“This salary structure is already due for a second review. The state government needs to understand the seriousness with which the ‘push-factors’ for brain drain need to be addressed if the tide must be turned.”

The association recalled that Gov. Makinde had in August 2020 promised to pay the fund currently enjoyed by resident doctors in federal tertiary health institutions.

“Owing to this failed promise, our members have frequently resorted to borrowing money in order to go for these updates and examinations, while not leaving their other responsibilities to families and the society unattended to,” it said.

The ARD noted that it had in 2020 presented Gov. Makinde with a plaque of honour owing to his prompt intervention in the rot he met in the hospital when he assumed office.

“Now, we still have a similar trust in his capability to address the matters raised with the seriousness and promptness they deserve.”

The ARD LTH went on to declare its support for the demand by Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on the replacement of resident doctors who exit or complete their training.

NAN reports that NARD has advocated that such doctors should be replaced on a one-for-one basis to mitigate the effect of such departure.

“We support the demand of NARD, and we call for the implementation of the demand at LTH and nationwide,” the association stated.

NAN reports that LTH, which occupies a strategic position in the healthcare space of Oyo state, has the capacity to train well over 170 resident doctors.

This is by virtue of the number of specialists running residency training.

But, like a deprived giant, it currently has 69 resident doctors.

Most departments have now lost their accreditations due to unavailability of adequate personnel and equipment, among other pressing issues, making the hospital less attractive for training.(NAN)

News

‎Benin Unity Cup: Edo FA, Senator Imasuen Partner for Youth ‎Empowerment, Football Dev.

Published

39 minutes ago

October 22, 2025

Editor

Preparations are in top gear for the maiden edition of the Benin Unity Football Cup, a landmark grassroots football competition powered by Senator Neda Imasuen, Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District.
‎
‎The Press Conference, draws Ceremony, and official unveiling of trophies for the competition have been scheduled for Friday, October 24th, 2025, at 12:00 PM, inside the Media Center, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
‎
‎The Benin Unity Football Cup being organized by the Edo State Football Association (Edo FA) is aimed at promoting unity, community engagement, and youth empowerment as it provides a platform for local talents in Edo to showcase their footballing potentials.

READ ALSO:2027: Senator Imasuen Visits His Ward, Seeks Support For Tinubu
‎
‎The competition is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, marking the beginning of a new era for grassroots football development in Edo South.
‎
‎The Organizing Committee, chaired by Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, has promised to deliver a well organized and impactful competition that reflects Edo’s deep-rooted football culture and heritage.
‎
‎According to Fred Newton, outstanding players discovered during the tournament will be developed and marketed to clubs both within and outside Nigeria, ensuring that promising talents are given genuine opportunities to advance their careers.

READ ALSO:Senator Imasuen Empowers Edo South Farmers With Farm Implements
‎
‎Senator Neda Imasuen, renowned for his dedication to youth empowerment, described the initiative as a long-term investment in the future of young people in Edo land.
‎
‎“The Benin Unity Cup is more than a tournament; it is a statement of hope and belief in our youths,” Senator Imasuen said. “We are building a platform that will turn dreams into reality and talents into legacies.”
‎
‎The tournament is expected to feature teams from across the seven local government areas of Edo South senatorial district and as well open to male adults.
‎

News

JUST IN: ASUU Suspends Two-week Strike

Published

2 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Editor

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the suspension of its two-week warning strike.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, stated this in a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

He confirmed that negotiations with the Federal Government negotiation team have commenced in earnest, even as he gave the government one month to conclude negotiations on the issues that led to the industrial action.

The President stated that the decision to suspend the strike was made after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC), held from October 21 to 22, 2025.

According to him, the NEC concluded that while the objectives of the warning strike had not been fully achieved, significant progress had been made through renewed discussions with government representatives.

“In summary, the emergency NEC meeting resolved that the warning strike is hereby suspended with effect from midnight, Wednesday, the 22nd of October 2025,

“Should government fail to resolve the issues within the one-month window, it reserves the right to resume the strike action without further notice and

“ASUU appeals to patriotic Nigerians and stakeholders in education so prevail on government to speedily conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement and other outstanding issues,” he said.

ASUU stated that it held meetings with the Federal Government team led by Yayale Ahmed on 16 and 18 October 2025 to review the government’s response to the draft renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, adding that a follow-up meeting has already been scheduled for further discussions.

The union also acknowledged the intervention of the Senate Committees on Tertiary Education and TETFund, as well as Labour, and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, describing their efforts as “promising in amicably resolving all outstanding issues.”

“Our members place a lot of hope on the strong promises made by these distinguished Senators. We look forward to working with them to fully deliver on their promises,” Piwuna noted.

While appreciating Nigerians for their solidarity, the President stated that the decision to suspend the strike was made out of respect for students, parents, the media, and other stakeholders who have supported the union’s cause.

News

BREAKING: Edo LG Commission Orders Heads On Compulsory Leave

Published

4 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Editor

Edo State Local Service Commission on Wednesday directed Heads of Local Government Adminstration across the 18 local government councils to go on compulsory leave.

Chairman of the commission, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, gave the directive while briefing journalists on the outcome of the commission’s visit to the 18 local government councils.

According to Adjoto, the compulsory leave would last for 30 working days, after which it would be reviewed, adding that the affected heads of local government have been equally directed to hand over to
Director of Administrative and General Services.

Adjoto, who was flanked by other members of the commission, said during the briefing: “The local Government Service Commission has reviewed the existing administration framework across the 18 local government councils. Consequently, the commission hereby directs all heads of local government administration across the 18 local government councils to proceed on compulsory leave with effect from today.”

According to him, “the measure has become very necessary to allow for thorough assessment for improved administrative operation at the local government level.

“Ensure a fair and objective review of posting, staff deployment and record management practices. Encourage transparency and restore confidence in the local government system. Provide opportunity for fresh administrative perspective as part of the commission reform agenda and on account of feedback from our familiarization visit.

“During the period of this compulsory leave, the director of Administrative and General Services shall oversee the day to day administration of every local government.

“Pending further directive from this commission, all concerned officers are advised to hand over properly and comply with this directive without delay.”

Adjoto, who said, “our task is very clear; to positively reposition the workforce of the local government in such a way that dividends of democracy trickle down to the grassroots,” said to this effect, the commission has commenced digitalisation with 90 percent completion.

The commission chairman disclosed that in the process of the digitalisation, 382 shadow files were detected, while 132 retired files were found.