Social media platform, TikTok said it did not restrict access to its network in Northern parts of Nigeria.

TikTok’s Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa, Keagile Makgoba, said this in a statement on Monday, amid reports of difficulties accessing the service.

Makgoba said that TikTok was engaging relevant stakeholders to resolve the reported access difficulties.

“We can confirm that this restriction was not implemented by TikTok,” she said.

Makgoba said that the company remained committed to ensuring access for its communities.

The coalition of civil society organisations called for an independent investigation into the reported disruption in parts of Northern Nigeria. 

The organisations said that users in Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano and Sokoto had experienced difficulties loading videos, viewing content and uploading materials since Sept. 14.

They urged relevant authorities and telecommunications operators to investigate the cause and publicly clarify whether any directive or technical issue was responsible. (NAN) 

Workers union at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, on Monday began a 72-hour warning strike over an alleged stabbing of a medical laboratory scientist by a patient’s relative.

The Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), FMC Abeokuta, Abiodun Famuyiwa, disclosed this in an interview in Abeokuta.

Famuyiwa said the strike involved workers in the centre, excluding doctors, following an alleged stabbing of the scientist while on duty on Sunday night.

“Olasunkanmi Lawal, a medical laboratory scientist was stabbed in two places, including the head, with an object and he is now receiving treatment at the hospital.

“The incident has been reported to the police and referred to the appropriate authorities for further action,” he said.

He described the incident as an unacceptable act of violence against a healthcare worker performing his official duties.

He expressed concern over the safety of healthcare professionals in the hospital, saying that no worker should be subjected to physical attacks while providing essential medical services.

He also demanded that the incident be investigated and the alleged assailant be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The MHWUN chairman urged the management to review and strengthen existing arrangements, particularly in clinical and laboratory areas, emergency units, and other vulnerable locations.

He added that the warning strike was intended to express members’ displeasure, demand accountability, and compel the management to address their security concerns.

Meanwhile the unions, operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), also announced the industrial action in a position letter dated Oct. 12 and addressed to the Medical Director of the hospital.

The letter stated that the strike commenced at 11 a.m. on Monday and was scheduled to end at 8 a.m. on Thursday.

The letter was endorsed by representatives of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), MHWUN, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM),

Others are the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

The letter read: “This barbaric act of violence against a healthcare worker carrying out his professional responsibility is condemnable and must not be treated with levity.

‘We consider this incident a serious assault on the dignity, safety, and welfare of healthcare professionals who dedicate their time, knowledge, and energy to providing essential medical services to patients and the public.

It also stated that the incident was not merely an attack on the affected medical laboratory scientist, but an attack on the entire workforce of the centre.

“An injury to one member of our professional community is a matter of collective concern, and we cannot remain silent while the safety of our member is placed in jeopardy,” it stated. (NAN)

The Port Harcourt Distribution Company (PHED) has attributed rising electricity bills being borne by some customers to feeder upgrades designed to improve power supply.

Head of Customers Service at PHED, Adamma Ogwuegbu, stated on the sidelines of the company’s Customer Appreciation event held in Port Harcourt.

Ogwuegbu said that some customers were experiencing higher tariffs following the migration of their feeders to Band A.

She stated that customers whose feeders were upgraded to provide 24-hour electricity were expected to pay the corresponding tariff.

Ogwuegbu said that some customers were still expecting to continue paying the same rates they had paid before their feeders were upgraded.

She said that the company was engaging customers to explain the differences in tariffs across the various electricity supply bands.

According to her, the challenge was partly due to customers’ limited understanding of the relationship between electricity supply levels and applicable tariffs.

The PHED official said that electricity distribution was a business that required operators to recover revenue to sustain their operations.

“For us to remain in business, when we sell, we should be able to recover the revenue that we receive.

Ogwuegbu stated that customers should be willing to pay for electricity when supply was adequate and reliable.

She said that PHED would continue engaging and educating customers on tariffs, feeder upgrades and the need for improved revenue collection.

She also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving customer service and responding more effectively to complaints.

“The journey has not been perfect. However, we are committed to improving, listening better, responding better and treating our customers better,” she said.

Ogwuegbu said that the customer appreciation event was organised to recognise customers whose patronage and support had sustained the company’s operations.

The Executive Coordinator, NEPA Wahala, Emeka Ojoko, urged PHED to improve its response to customers’ complaints.

Ojoko acknowledged improvements in electricity supply in some parts of Port Harcourt but noted that the company’s response to prolonged outages and other complaints remained inadequate.

He said that customers often had to rely on personal connections within the company to get their complaints addressed.

He described the situation as unfair, stressing that every customer deserved prompt attention, regardless of personal relationships.

“Every customer deserves to have a listening ear. Even if you cannot solve the problem at once, somebody should respond promptly,” he said.

Another customer, Festus Ola, said that electricity was critical to his steel production business, which required substantial power to operate.

Ola said that the company had experienced significant improvements in electricity supply over the past few months.

The Chairman, PHED Board of Directors, Chief Olice Kemenanabo, presented awards to the company’s best customers across the four states it covers such as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers.

Bayo Yao Iron and Steel Company won the Best Customer Award, followed by Heliconia Park Hotel in second place and CWay Company in third place. (NAN)