NEWS
NLC Urges FG to Remove Impediments to Health Workers’ Migration
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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to remove impediments on healthcare workers path to migrating for greener pastures.
Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, made this submission at the 11th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) on Friday in Abuja.
The theme of the Conference is “The Nigerian Health System in the Era of Economic Downturn: Challenges and Way Forward.
’’Ajaero said that the removal of the impediments was imperative due to the unfortunate socioeconomic situation confronting workers and indeed the masses in country.
“These have deep consequences for not just the provision of effective healthcare platforms to deliver services to those in need of its services but for the professionals or workers practicing in the sector.
“The already poor equipment and general decay of infrastructure in the sector has worsened because of the economic situation while remuneration of workers have lagged thus unable to meet the basic needs of workers in the industry.’’
He said that health delivery services had also gone beyond the reach of the average Nigerian further complicating an already bad situation.
Ajaero said there were consequences to the increasing number of health care professionals and workers leaving the nation were in droves.
He added that, it is not just in pursuit of better living standards but in pursuit of self-actualisation and job satisfaction.
“The dearth of your members in the industry as a result of the brain drain is having serious implications for the industry’s capacity and capability to deliver quality and effective services to Nigerians.
“That is why the NLC will continue making demands on the government for fair wages to workers in all sectors especially in critical and sensitive ones like yours; workers will always move to where they are treated better.
“We once again demand that the government removes all the impediments it is putting on your path to migration but rather should focus on making workers in the sector enjoy better working conditions.
“Let salaries and wages be commensurate with the cost of living; let there be functional equipment in the hospitals and let workers be treated as human beings ”he said.
The NLC president also said the theme of the conference was not only apt but captured the objective realities that confront the Health sector.
He said there was urgent call to engage and resolve them for the purposes of crafting a better future for the sector and Nigeria.
Ajaero commended the union’s commitment to improving the working conditions, welfare, and rights of healthcare professionals.
Mr Ayuba Wabba, former President of NLC, called on the Federal Government to be transparent in its activities.
Wabba said that there should be open communication between the citizens and the government for clearer understanding of government policies.
He also urged the union to continue to speak with one voice and remained united for the good of its members.
Also, Dr Kabiru Minjibir, acting National President of MHWUN, said that the issue of japa syndrome was a painful aspect in the Nigeria health sector.
Minjibir said that there were many health workers who were committed to.making sacrifices to serve their father’s land in spite of the humiliating pay structure and delivery in the country.
The acting president said that the health workers were frustrated by the absence of the enabling work environment to fulfill their calling as professionals.
“It is either the machine to perform basic procedure were nor working or not available,” he said.
He said that health workers who emigrated abroad for greener pastures were hardly replaced; thus, compounding the occupational stress of the few health resources in health facilities.
Minjibir, however, charged the incoming leadership to ensure mainstreaming of young health workers and women into its leadership cadres.
He also urged them to develop strategies of ensuring that the existing assets of the union gave birth to other worthy assets, among others.(NAN)
NEWS
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
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Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”NEWS
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
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By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.NEWS
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
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There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.