Connect with us

Nation

Unpaid Salaries: Health Workers Embark On Indefinite Strike

Published

on

Non-doctors under the auspices of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), University College Hospital, Ibadan Branch, yesterday commenced an indefinite strike.
The union, made up of professionals in the health sector such as; Medical Laboratory Scientists, Physiotherapists, Radiographers, Dieticians and Dental Technologists, embarked on the strike to protest the non-payment of five month salaries of some of its members.
Other members of the association include; Therapists, Health Information Managers, Nutritionists, Social Workers, Speech Therapists, Dental Therapists, Optometrists, Clinical Psychologists, Prosthetics/Orthotics, Medical Physics, Audiology, EEG and ECG Specialists.
Addressing a news conference, NUAHP Chairman, Oladayo Olabampe, said that the last time the affected members, which include over 300 staff, collected a salary was in December 2020.
“It is on a sad note that I stand before you this morning to address the press on the current situation of our health system in the country and more especially in UCH as regards the welfare of staff who invariably are members of this noble union.
“It should be noted that we have been silent for too long, until it became glaring that silence is no more golden.
“We have therefore decided to speak aloud for well-meaning Nigerians to be aware of the dilemma of poor and helpless health professionals in UCH.
“See members of this union who were employed in the year 2020 have not been collecting salaries from the beginning of this year till date,” he said.
The NUAHP chairman claimed that the five-month salaries being owed them by the tertiary institution had made it difficult for them to cater for their dependents and other needs.
Olabampe alleged that dialogue with the teaching hospital’s management had not yielded any positive results, prompting the union members to call for the indefinite strike.
“While we wait endlessly and hopelessly, all financial responsibilities are not waiting as the affected staff has to feed their various families, pay school fees, pay rent among many other responsibilities in the face of the prevailing economic situation in the country.
“Resident doctors who were in the same shoe with our members have been paid a month’s salary.
“This union has been magnanimous and understanding to the extent of encouraging her members to work despite the non-payment of salaries.
“Things have so degenerated to the extent that workers who have worked with zeal and total commitment must go on strike before they can be considered for their pay,” he said.
According to him, the union is also demanding an end to all forms of discriminations and unfair treatment against them by the UCH management.
The Tide recalls that resident doctors of the hospital, on May 1, embarked on an indefinite strike over non-payment of salaries and non-enrolment of some members on the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS)

Continue Reading

Nation

Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

Published

on

The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

Continue Reading

Nation

Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

Published

on

Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to  temporary chambers,  the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in  their  newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments,  appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The  Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September  2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors;   handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

 

Continue Reading

Nation

Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

Published

on

The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.

Continue Reading

Trending