News
Resident Doctors Issue 21-Day Ultimatum …As NARD Ends Warning Strike
Barely 24 hours after the three-day warning strike embarked upon by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) was called off, members of the association have given the Rivers State Government a 21-day ultimatum to implement agreement reached with the association in the state.
The nationwide warning strike was commenced last Monday.
The Rivers State Chairman of the association Dr. James Krukrubo restated the 21-day ultimatium to the government while speaking to The Tide in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
He said the state government has failed to implement amicable agreement reached with the association in March 2014 over the demands of the association.
The Chairman said the situation in most government hospitals in the state has not changed, stressing that the association has no choice than to issue 21-day notice to the government to fulfil the agreement.
Krukrubo said, at the expiration of the ultimatum, resident doctors would not hesitate to embark on an industrial action to compel the state government to meet their demands.
NARD yesterday resumed work after a three-day warning strike to draw government’s attention to issues affecting its members.
Our correspondent reports that members of the association embarked on the strike over agitation for residency training, re-integration of its members into the IPPIS and payment of salary arrears owed doctors at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.
Another issue in contention is the failure to implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
Dr Jibril Abdullahi, National President of NARD, confirmed to newsmen that the doctors had resumed work nationwide.
He expressed hope that the Federal Government would resolve the issues in the next 25 days, adding that the association would embark on indefinite strike in July if the issues were unresolved.
“NARD is hereby giving the government of Nigeria a grace period of up to the end of June to resolve these issues.
“Otherwise, we will have no option than to withdraw our services from July,’’ he said.
Abdullahi said a meeting had been fixed for June 17 between NARD, the Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Budget Office and Salaries and Wages Commission.
“Depending on what the government presents to us on that date, we will decide whether to suspend or go on with our indefinite strike,’’ he said.
Abdullahi said that government had in response to its demands, made part payment of the outstanding salaries of its members at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, and hoped that it would complete the payments.
“It is not our desire to go on strike; all we want is progress,’’ he said.
Dr Frank Nwanodu, NARD’s branch President at the National Hospital, Abuja, told newsmen that the doctors resumed work at 8.00 a.m. yesterday.
Nwanodu, however, called on the federal government to resolve all pending issues with the association.
“We really do not like to go on strike; all we are asking for is what is due to us,’’ he said.
Philip Okparaji
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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