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Again, Doctors Threaten Nationwide Strike …As JOHESU Suspends Six Weeks Old Action
The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is about to compound the nation’s health problem as it has vowed to embark on nationwide strike, if the Federal Government fails to facilitate the reinstatement of its members sacked by the University of Jos Teaching Hospital (UJTH).
The Publicity and Social Secretary of NARD, Dr Ugochukwu Eze said at a press conference in Kaduna, yesterday, that the 21-day ultimatum issued for the reinstatement of the sacked doctors expired on May 31.
He recalled that the first ultimatum issued on the matter expired on May 2, 2018, and was extended by another three weeks to give room for proper dialogue.
According to Eze, the doctors also want the government to meet up with all outstanding agreements contained in the September 6, 2017, Memorandum of Terms of Settlement entered with the government.
“The September, 2017, strike was suspended to allow government complete implementation of the terms of settlement but there are still agreements to be met.
“NARD leadership may not be able to guarantee continuous industrial harmony should our legitimate agitations be ignored by government,” he stressed.
He noted that since the commencement of strike by the Joint Health Sector Workers Union (JOHESU), healthcare services in the country has been anchored on the shoulders of resident doctors, as such government should reciprocate the goodwill by addressing their problems.
Meanwhile, the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has suspended its nationwide strike that started six weeks ago.
The union announced the decision yesterday, via a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting.
In the communique signed by Biobelemoye Josiah, the national chairman of JOHESU, the union said the strike was called off because of the sympathy the union has for the suffering Nigerian masses and also to pave way for further negotiations to continue on Monday.
“We would like to place on record that JOHESU strike actions is neither ill nor politically motivated but in a bid to save the health sector from imminent collapse,” it read.
The resolution of the communique are as follows:
Court takes over the Negotiations between JOHESU and Government in its Alternative Dispute resolution (ADR) centre.
JOHESU and Government side are to nominate their representatives in the ADR process within 24 hours of the NICN judgment. The Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Labour shall nominate officers that have authority to negotiate on its behalf i.e the Honourable Minister of Health and Honourable Minister of Labour shall not be part of the committee.
The agreement reached at the ADR centre will be registered in the court as judgment binding on both parties.
JOHESU is to initiate the process of allowing normalcy to return to hospitals within 3 days.
Both parties were ordered to maintain status-quo ante bellum while negotiation lasts
The Lagos State JOHESU chairman, Olatunji Tajudeen, expressed disappointment on how the way impasse was handled by the authorities.
“Its a disappointment especially for our members in the federal. We couldn’t get anything out of it (the strike) and upon that they seized their two months salary,” he said.
The strike lasted 44 days and caused many deaths. Patients passed through untold pain and their relatives are grumbled as both federal, state and local government health institutions were brought to their knees.
There were series of meetings between the government and the union with the Ministers of Health and Labor, Isaac Adewole and Chris Ngige, leading the negotiations.
No common ground was reached in those meetings. Members of JOHESU accused both officials of bias.
In its Wednesday ruling, the National Industrial Court, offered to take over the mediation process between the striking workers and government.
JOHESU is an association of all health workers apart from medical doctors and dentists.
The association called a nationwide strike last September.
Some of its major demands included salary adjustments, promotion arrears and improved work environment for members.
On the ninth day of the September strike, the union struck a deal with government and the strike was suspended.
But according to the union, six months after, the government is yet to meet any of its demands.
The union gave the government a 30-day ultimatum to meet their demands. That ultimatum elapsed April 17, the day the latest strike started.
In the first week of the strike, the government threatened to invoke the ‘no work no pay rule’ but the union rebuffed the threat, saying it would remain on strike till its demands were met.
Nigerian doctors also threatened to withdraw their services across health institutions in the country if the government finally accedes to the demands of the striking JOHESU.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.