News

FG Moves To Avert NMA Strike

Published

12 years ago

January 3, 2014

The Federal Government, yesterday, took a bold step by convening a stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the teething demands of members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) as a means of averting the looming nationwide strike billed to commence on January 6, 2014.

Addressing State House Correspondents shortly after the first lap of the meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan said that the meeting was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Uduaghan also disclosed that the meeting with the President was to avert the planned warning strike by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

He said the President summoned the meeting to find a lasting solution to industrial strikes in the medical sector.

Uduaghan said that the President had conceded to certain conditions that would likely stop the proposed warning strike.

“There were issues that have been raised by the NMA for which members are threatening to go on warning strike that will last for five days.

“The President called a stakeholders’ meeting this afternoon to look at the issues again. “We are now going for another meeting slated for 5.00 pm.

“At least, there are certain things that the President has consented to and I believe that by the time we finish the meeting, there will be some resolutions.

“Our determination is to ensure that the full blown strike of January 6 is averted because we cannot afford another strike in the health sector.

“One minute of strike in the health sector by whatever body could be very disastrous,” he said.

Others at the meeting with the President were Ministers of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Labour, Chukwuemeka Wogu, and Executive Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbule.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Medical Association, yesterday, called on prominent individuals to intervene in its face off with the Federal Government.

The Chairman, Plateau State chapter of the association, Dr Chris Yilgwan, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen.

NMA had gone on a warning strike in December to press its demand for improved condition of service and other issues.

Yilgwan told newsmen that the union would be forced to embark on a full blown strike from January 6 if the government did not accede to its demands.

He said that doctors’ poor working condition had continued to lead to brain drain in the health sector as many seek greener pasture abroad.

“The brain drain in the health sector has led to one Nigerian doctor attending to 5000 patients.

“This is far away from the real World Health Organisation (WHO) prescription of one doctor to 600 patients,

“It is therefore the resolve of the association to awaken government, at all levels, to address this demand.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.