Editorial
That Rivers NMA Strike
Just as the five-day warning strike embarked upon by the national body of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to press home its demands enters the third day today, the Rivers State branch of the association recently declared that its members would proceed on strike without notification if any of its members is kidnapped again.
Viewed against the backdrop of the current warning strike by the NMA which is, regrettably, taking its toll on the citizenry as cases of casualties in the hospitals are reportedly increasing by the day, the threat by the Rivers NMA to down tools if any of its members is abducted is unacceptable as it is misplaced.
There is no gainsaying the fact that kidnapping has, sadly enough, become a recurring decimal and something of a hydra-headed monster which government, through its security agencies, has been striving assiduously to nip in the bud.
Condemnable as the security situation is, this age has had the misfortune of clergymen, teachers, contractors and even children being kidnapped. At such times, none of them has embarked on strike of any sort as a show of anger against the act.
Even, the rich and influential in the society, including other professionals like lawyers, journalists, engineers have been victims of kidnapping. Yet they have not abandoned their onerous responsibilities to the society because any of its members was kidnapped. And in all known or reported cases, efforts have been intensified by security agencies to track down the perpetrators of the act.
Kidnapping is indeed a real problem across the globe. So worrisome has the problem been that some state governments have gone the extra mile to check the phenomenon. Governments of Abia and Anambra States, for instance, have taken extreme policies that run counter to human principles in what can be seen as desperate moves to get rid of it. But these kidnap kingpins have to be deterred. And the only way is to go all out and bring the culprits to justice to make the society safer for everyone.
It is against this backdrop that the Rivers NMA strike threat becomes unacceptable. Painful as the repeated kidnap of their members can be, the NMA cannot endanger the lives of Rivers people by resorting to strike action because a member was kidnapped.
Perhaps, they should also be reminded that there exists laws in our statute books guiding labour relations that their threat runs counter to.
We feel sad that despite the level of education of the populace, people easily take the laws into their hand. Infact, that strike has become the first and last tool in the hands of every union is condemnable.
As it is, it behoves the Rivers NMA to work with government on what can be done to safeguard members through the building of more doctors’ residence within the hospital premises among others.
While The Tide insists that security is the business of everyone, we expect government and security agencies to come up with new and effective strategies to protect everyone, and especially the doctors whose duty is to save lives.
The Rivers NMA must strictly abide by its members’ Hippocratic oath to save lives first and not pour their anger on helpless patients as they are not the kidnappers.
True, and rightly of course, it is the responsibility of the NMA, just like every other association, to protect the interests of its members and ensure their safety, especially when their lives are under threat as in this case.
However, extreme caution ought to be exercised in taking decisions that would ostensibly have multiplier effect on the people.
It is on this note that The Tide urges the NMA to rethink its threat to embark on strike.
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Addressing Unruly Behaviours At The Airports

It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.
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