News
Nationwide Strike Looms In FG’s Hospitals
The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) says it will embark on an indefinite strike on April 18, 2018 in all Federal Government’s medical institutions nationwide to protest against government’s failure to comply with salary structure adjustment agreement reached with the union, last September.
The National President of JOHESU, Comrade Biobele Moye stated this when he led other national officers of the union to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Choba, last Friday to mobilise and sensitise members for a total strike over the dispute.
Moye said the strike became imperative following the inability of the Federal Government to implement the terms of the agreement reached with the union, last September, noting that members have exhausted all possible avenues of negotiation for peaceful resolution of the impasse.
He explained that the union entered into the agreement with the Federal Government on September 30, 2017, and insisted that the agreement should have been implemented within five weeks.
The JOHESU national president regretted that five months after, the Federal Government was yet to implement the said agreement.
He noted that the union has been considerate and patient, stressing that it has consulted widely, considered the economic situation but has decided to embark on confrontation with the Federal Government as the only option available to it.
‘’JOHESU has been a patient and focused organization”, Moye explained, and accused the Federal Government of endangering the lives of the people, if it allows the strike to go ahead.
‘’We are mindful of the role we play in the medical institutions. It is on this note that we have to consider, and we decided to give more time. We gave a 21 days compliance notice which expired on February 28, and another 30 working days beginning from March 5, which will end on April 17, 2018’’, he emphasised.
Moye noted that after April 17, all medical workers will down tools in all federal medical institutions nationwide.
He said JOHESU would only proceed on strike if it exhausts all possible avenues for dialogue, adding that the law required the union to give 15-day notice before proceeding on strike.
Moye said that it was due to JOHESU’s compassionate stance that the leadership has given six months gap to enable the government respond to its demands.
He said the last strike JOHESU embarked upon was in 2016, after the union had given the Federal Government 92-day notice, with another one year notice.
The JOHESU president explained that the said agreement was not signed by the minister of health alone but all parties involved, adding that the minister of labour, secretary to the government of the federation, permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and other stakeholders all signed the agreement.
Ike Wigodo
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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