News

Health Workers Shelve Planned Strike

Published

11 years ago

October 8, 2014

Items distributed during the launch of mdgs economic empowerment and conditional cash transfer programme in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: NAN

The National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) yesterday said it has postponed its earlier plan to commence an indefinite strike on September 30 and October 8 till further notice
Members of NUAHP include Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Radiographers/Imaging Scientists, Dental Technologists, Occupational Therapists, Health Information Officers, Dental Therapists, Dietitians and Related Professionals.
The union’s position was contained in a memo to all members of its National Administrative Council, National Executive Council, all state council chairmen/Secretaries and all unit branch chairmen/Secretaries entitled: “Postponement of intended strike” with ref. No. NUAHP/NGS/Members/Vol.1/14.
The memo signed by the chairman of NUAHP and Vice Chairman, JOHESU, Mr. Felix Faniran, was made available to newsmen in Abuja.
“The strike notices by both NUAHP and JOHESU which could have taken off on September 30 and October 8, 2014, respectively, have not been suspended but postponed until a meeting called by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for Friday, October 3 2014.
“The meeting where a decision on whether to go on strike or not would be taken was shifted to Thursday, October 9, 2014 at our instance due to Ileya Festival/holidays. By that time, the meeting would have been attended and its outcome assessed by the JOHESU/AHPA leaders; then, a new pronouncement shall be made. Please, wait until further notice.”
The group had, among other demands, condemned the decision of the Federal Ministry of Health that only those registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria could use the designation ‘Consultant’, stressing that “it is not only a ruse, it is false, incorrect, wrong and unacceptable.”
“The Circular of July 18, 2014, issued and signed by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, is improper and unauthorized. The same circular contains paragraph 1.1 which is contradicted by 1.iv. That circular is null and void and highly contemptuous of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria judgment of July 22, 2013 and should therefore be withdrawn immediately in the interest of justice and industrial peace,” Faniran had stressed.
To put an end to crisis in the health sector, NUAHP recommended that government should allow same playing field for all health workers, rather than discriminatory practices.
Faniran had said, “The Nigerian Medical Association and similar unregistered bodies should desist from illegal strikes and learn to comply with laws of the nation and relevant directives; the Yayale Ahmed Committee should conclude its assignment soonest and its report should be implemented immediately; an all-encompassing stakeholders forum should be conveyed under impartial arbiters to solve all existing conflicts in the health sector. Team spirit and team work should be embraced by all health workers and patients’ interest, rather than self interest hound be taken into account at all time.”

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.