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Strike: Nigerian govt’s no-work-no-pay directive won’t work – NARD

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, says any no-work-no-pay directive issued by the Federal Government aimed at compelling the association to end its indefinite strike will not work.

Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, the NARD President, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

Rather, Mr Okhuaihesuyi urged the federal government to hold accountable relevant agencies responsible for addressing the issues previously raised by the association during its earlier strike in April for dereliction of duty.

“The federal government may come out to insist on no-work-no-pay. They may try to threaten us with this directive from tomorrow; they can do that but they should remember that anyone that has not done his work first should also be punished.

“The relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are yet to carry out their duties in ensuring that these issues are addressed should be held accountable, because this strike will not happen if they did their jobs.

“Some members of the association are being paid N5,000 as hazard allowance when individuals in the Upper and Lower chambers of the National Assembly are receiving between N1.2 million to N3 million or more for hardship allowance.

“We need to get our priorities right. We lost 19 residents to COVID-19 and as it stands, their families are yet to receive any death benefits.

“We cannot ignore the fact that the doctors that died in the line of duty during the COVID-19 pandemic have families and children that attend schools and need to feed and survive, ” he said.

Mr Okhuaihesuyi stated that although the association was aware of the difficulty the absence of doctors in hospitals would pose to patient care, the strike was necessary to ensure doctors were no longer denied their dues to enable them to function optimally.

“Our demands are not new to the government.

“The salary structure of doctors needs to be improved because there is non-payment of salaries to many health workers in some states and also an irregular salary structure in others. Some health workers receive incomplete salaries.

“For example, doctors in Imo state have not received their salary for about eight months and there is non-salary payment for doctors at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital for 19 months.

“There is non-payment of salary for doctors at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Ekiti for over one year.

“Doctors need to be captured into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to streamline the salary structure, ensure conformity and consistency in payment,” said the NARD president.

Mr Okhuaihesuyi also urged the federal government to address the issues raised by the association to prevent further strikes leading to lack of access to healthcare by the public.

“Resident doctors in the FCT have responded to the national call to commence an indefinite strike and they began the strike at 8 a.m Aug. 2, 2021. In the FCT alone, there are about 15,000 resident doctors.

“Resident doctors constitute the highest number of doctors in teaching hospitals in Nigeria, so invariably it is mostly us who are at the first point when patients present at the hospital.

“Commencing a strike means that healthcare delivery will be largely affected in hospitals across the country,” he asserted.

NAN reports that NARD embarked on the nationwide indefinite strike to press home the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding it entered into with the federal government in March 2021.

NAN

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Headlines

Gombe gov. congratulates new NUJ National President

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Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has congratulated Alhassan Yahya on his election as National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Yahaya, in a congratulatory message issued to newsmen on Thursday in Gombe, expressed joy over Yahya’s ‘resounding victory’ at the just-concluded 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference in Owerri, Imo.

The governor, in the statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, described Alhassan’s victory as a remarkable achievement and source of immense pride for the state and the entire journalism community.

He praised Alhassan’s journey and impressive rise in the NUJ leadership.

“From your humble beginning at the chapel level, to the state, zonal and now the national level, you have showed consistency, demonstrated unmatched courage, integrity and passion for journalism and the welfare of journalists.

“Your election as the national president of NUJ is a reflection of the trust journalists across Nigeria have in your capacity to lead.

“Your commitment, integrity and vision have made you a shining example of what it means to be a leader in the field of journalism and I commend you for these sterling attributes,” he said.

Yahaya, while expressing confidence in Alhassan’s ability to unite and lead the union toward progress and professionalism, assured him of the support, solidarity and goodwill of the government and people of the state.

“We are confident that under your leadership, NUJ will witness a new era of progress, unity and professionalism that will further elevate the role of journalism in promoting national development,” he said.

The governor acknowledged the vital role of a united and committed press in advancing democratic ideals and national development.

He also praised journalists for the peaceful conduct of the election, while wishing the new NUJ leadership a successful and impactful tenure.

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Headlines

Gombe gov. congratulates new NUJ National President

Published

on

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has congratulated Alhassan Yahya on his election as National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Yahaya, in a congratulatory message issued to newsmen on Thursday in Gombe, expressed joy over Yahya’s ‘resounding victory’ at the just-concluded 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference in Owerri, Imo.

The governor, in the statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, described Alhassan’s victory as a remarkable achievement and source of immense pride for the state and the entire journalism community.

He praised Alhassan’s journey and impressive rise in the NUJ leadership.

“From your humble beginning at the chapel level, to the state, zonal and now the national level, you have showed consistency, demonstrated unmatched courage, integrity and passion for journalism and the welfare of journalists.

“Your election as the national president of NUJ is a reflection of the trust journalists across Nigeria have in your capacity to lead.

“Your commitment, integrity and vision have made you a shining example of what it means to be a leader in the field of journalism and I commend you for these sterling attributes,” he said.

Yahaya, while expressing confidence in Alhassan’s ability to unite and lead the union toward progress and professionalism, assured him of the support, solidarity and goodwill of the government and people of the state.

“We are confident that under your leadership, NUJ will witness a new era of progress, unity and professionalism that will further elevate the role of journalism in promoting national development,” he said.

The governor acknowledged the vital role of a united and committed press in advancing democratic ideals and national development.

He also praised journalists for the peaceful conduct of the election, while wishing the new NUJ leadership a successful and impactful tenure.

 

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Crime

Court remands man for allegedly causing death of his unborn child

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An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan on Thursday ordered the remand of a 52-year-old man, Taiwo Olaniyan, in Agodi correctional facility for allegedly causing the death of his unborn child.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who did not take the defendant’s plea for lack of jurisdiction, ordered his remand in Agodi correctional facility, Ibadan.

Ogunkanmi held that the defendant would remain in custody pending receipt of advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

She, thereafter, adjourned the matter till Dec. 12 for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cpl. Akeem Akinloye, had arraigned the defendant, who resides at Apata area of Ibadan, on a three-count charge bordering on assault and causing death of an unborn child.

Akinloye told the court that the defendant had, on May 2018, assaulted his wife, Rukayat Babajide, by inflicting injury on her.

He said that the defendant caused the death of the foetus due to his assault on his wife during pregnancy.

The prosecutor said that the couple had been married for 14 years, with two children.

According to him, the offences contravene Section 316 and punishable under Sections 319, 328 and 355 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

NAN reports that if found guilty of the charges, the defendant maybe sentenced to three years imprisonment under section 355, while section 328 stipulates life imprisonment and section 319 death sentence for any convicted offender.

 

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