Nation

NMA Charges FG To Withdraw Suits Against NARD

Published

4 years ago

August 27, 2021

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has urged the Federal Government to withdraw all court cases instituted against the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to engender amicable resolution of the ongoing nationwide strike by members of the association.
The Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State Branch, Dr Jude Onyia, made the call in Enugu while speaking to newsmen on the lingering strike that had reduced the capacity of government-owned hospitals nationwide.
It would be recalled that the National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Monday ordered striking members of NARD and the Federal Government to suspend all forms of hostilities and maintain the status quo.
Justice John Targema, the vacation judge in his ruling, gave the order pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice.
Targema said that he granted the application after careful consideration of the processes filed by the applicants.
Onyia noted that at no time had industrial disputes been settled amicably in the court but “for a harmonious settlement to be reached – dialogue is the answer”.
He said that the resident doctors remained the major professional workforce in tertiary health institutions in the country, adding that they constitute over 50 per cent of the professional workforce.
The chairman noted that the medical consultants might be working but it might not be effectively carried out, while patients to be attended would be reduced as well.
He noted that “the striking doctors are enjoying the sympathy of the general public”, adding that it would be in the best interest of all for amicable settlement and plights of doctors looked into objectively.
“The National Executive Council of the NMA will be meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 25, in Benin, where we hope to discuss the strike extensively but the Federal Government must withdraw all court suits against NARD in the interest of the citizens.
“The government needed to also withdraw the circular by the Head of Service removing House Officers and NYSC doctors from the scheme of service.
“There should be relative atmosphere of peace for dialogue and roundtable discussion, which is the needed negotiation to take place to reach a solution,’’ he said.
“The government and entire nation have to rally round our doctors to check their exodus from the country, which portends more danger for the health sector and wellbeing of the entire citizens.
“If the current number of doctors still giving service in the country, is further reduced it will surely tell on the health system of the country.
It would be recalled that the National Industrial Court, Abuja, last Monday ordered striking members of NARD and the Federal Government to suspend all forms of hostilities and maintain status quo.
Justice John Targema, the vacation judge in his ruling, gave the order pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice. Targema said that he granted the application after careful consideration of the processes filed by the applicants.

By: Canice Amadi, Enugu

Nation

Firefighters battle New Year Day inferno in Abuja, several states

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Federal Fire Service FFS entered the New Year on full operational alert, tackling multiple fire outbreaks across the country from midnight into the early hours of January 1, 2026, in what officials described as one of the busiest festive-season deployments in recent years.

The intensified nationwide response followed a December 2025 directive issued by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, who had ordered that no firefighter should proceed on leave throughout the holidays.

According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services of the FFS, DCF Paul Abraham, the no-leave policy proved critical as the Service moved swiftly to contain fires in several states.

The Federal Capital Territory FCT recorded its first fire incident of the year barely twenty-three minutes after midnight when flames erupted at Cake Hot Restaurant located within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja.

Abraham said fire crews from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service arrived promptly and were able to stop the blaze before it could spread through the popular recreational centre.

While a section of the garden area was destroyed, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.

Officials said property worth an estimated ?1.5 billion was saved, although losses were placed at about ?500 million.

“Preliminary findings suggested that the fire was triggered by objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing long-standing warnings over the dangers posed by fireworks during the harmattan season”, the Service said.

The Controller General had repeatedly urged Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles and open flames indoors, warning that the dry winds characteristic of the season allow fires to spread rapidly.

He also warned the public about electrical faults and power surges and advised that electrical appliances be switched off and unplugged when not in use or when occupants leave their homes, stressing that overloading sockets and extension boxes remains a significant cause of domestic fires.

Nation

Enugu North LG chairman presents ?10.8bn 2026 Budget, prioritises roads …Security, Healthcare, Human Capital Development

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area in Enugu State, Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh, has presented a Ten Billion Eight Hundred Million Naira (?10.8bn) 2026 budget to the legislative council of the local government.

The budget, tagged “Budget of Continued Growth and Consolidation,” was presented on Wednesday during a plenary session attended by councillors, department heads, and other stakeholders.

Dr. Onoh explained that the 2026 budget is designed to consolidate achievements recorded in 2025 while scaling up development across the council’s 13 wards. Priority areas include road infrastructure, grassroots security, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, and digital governance.

He also reviewed the 2025 budget performance, highlighting significant revenue growth and successful completion of key projects. Notably, the council’s internally generated revenue more than doubled, attributed to the introduction of digital revenue collection platforms and other innovative measures.

Among the 2025 achievements, Dr. Onoh mentioned the reconstruction of major roads at European Quarters, Hilltop, Coal Camp, and Ukwa Street, Ihewuishi, as well as the upgrade of the local security architecture through the reorganisation of the neighbourhood watch into “The City Watch.”

On the 2026 budget, the chairman stated that projected revenue would come from statutory allocations, VAT, internally generated revenue, and counterpart funding through public-private partnerships.

He noted that capital expenditure would take the larger share of the budget, with over half allocated to the economic sector. Planned projects include:

Completion of transport terminals at Aria Market

Construction and reconstruction of urban roads

Establishment of two sports centres

Healthcare interventions

Youth skills development programmes.

Dr. Onoh emphasised that the projects, policies, and programmes outlined in the budget are aimed at complementing the initiatives of Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, who is setting standards for local government councils to follow.

Responding, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Chizoba Nnamani, said the budget would be carefully scrutinised in the interest of residents before its passage.

Nation

Christians Convert To Islam or die As ISWAP burns down Christian village

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Christians in Adamawa have been asked to Convert to Islam or die as commanded by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

.The ISWAP forcedly burnt down Christian village in Adamawa Nigeria as reported on January 1, 2026.

The Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, has continued to wreak havoc on Christian communities in the Northeast, Nigeria.

This comes as ISWAP burned down a Christian village in Adamawa State.

A security expert, Brant Philip, disclosed this on Thursday in a viral video released by the terrorists.

“ISWAP released an image of one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State burning, alongside a statement saying that all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets, and they have an opportunity to “spare their blood” by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to ISWAP,” Brant Philip wrote on X.

The move is perceived as retaliation for recent joint airstrikes by the Nigerian and United States military against a terrorist enclave in Sokoto, Nigeria.

Recall that five days ago, United States President Donald Trump announced that the US military launched airstrikes against terrorists in Sokoto State.