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FG Faults Rejection of MoA by Resident Doctors

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The Federal Government has faulted the National Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) rejection of the Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed on March 31 in spite of meeting the demands of the association.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen.

Chris Ngige said this in a statement by Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry on Saturday in Abuja.

The resident doctors had threatened to commence strike on April 1, alleging that the Federal Government had reneged in the agreements entered with the doctors.

The aggrieved doctors’ agitations include the non-payment of salaries of three to five months of some house officers and non-recruitment of house officers.

Others are abolishment of the bench fees for doctors undergoing training in other hospitals, non-payment of National Minimum Wage and hazard allowances.

Ngige said that government was faithful to the agreement entered with the aggrieved resident doctors by the President of NARD, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesu

Ngige said that the Federal Government had substantially met the demands of NARD.

He explained that some of the demands by NARD were made in error as some of the issues were already conciliated and implemented hundred per cent.

He, however, said that the outstanding issues which came up at the last conciliation were time- lined along a month life span of implementation, adding  that they were still work in progress.

The minister, however, faulted the unilateral repudiation of the MoA by NARD’s President, describing it as unknown in labour negotiation.

“He did not participate in most of the discussions last Wednesday because he fell ill not quite after the meeting started and had to excuse himself.

”He handed over to his deputy, the Secretary-General and other officers of the association, who fully participated. We spent seven hours and by the time we put our signatures to the papers, it was eight hours.

“Disowning the MOA duly negotiated is unknown to labour. The two parties to the negotiation signed the MOA. Four officers from government and three from NARD signed the document.

”The president who was not at the meeting but fully represented by deputies went to NARD’s NEC and disowned the paper because they were signed by his deputy and secretary general.

”There is what is called transmission of power. He as the President fell sick and his deputies continued with the meeting. That’s allowed,” he said.

Ngige said that it was wrong for NARD to impose a fait accompli on the Federal Government while negotiation was ongoing.

According to him, when a trade dispute has been apprehended, no party imposes on the other, a fait accompli.

”We signed a memorandum that says NARD will go back to its members to educate them on what has been agreed, the timelines placed on them, with a view not to disturb the industrial milieu in the health sector.

”We also agreed to reconvene after four weeks, “the minister said.

The minister added that the four weeks was given to allow enough time to implement the issues in the timeline, some of which would take three weeks, before reconvening.

He further expressed disappointment that NARD made a detour and mobilised members into action on the Eastertide, when Christians were observing the holiest week in their universal calendar.

He dismissed as untrue, allegation that doctors in the public health institutions across the country, were not insured.

On this note, he said the Federal Government spent N13.3 billion in 2020, on Group Life Insurance not just for doctors and health workers but also for workers in the federal civil and public service.

He stated that the reason for the composite exercise was to stop a situation where ministries and agencies of government worked in silos in payment of death benefits to workers and with lapses in some cases.

“This N13.3b was paid to thirteen insurance companies and brokerage firms to administer.

“And this is not the first time that NARD and teaching hospitals have been told to send in names and make claims for members who have lost their lives.

“It is an insurance that runs for one year and it is still on till March that just ended and even at that, the new payment is now being processed, so that it becomes a continuous thing,” he said.

The minister added that NARD was again reminded of the development while signing an MoA on March 31, 2012 to put up claims through the Ministry of Health to the Head of Service of the Federation.

This, he said was the only basis for payment of premium to the beneficiaries.

He further said that the procedure was for all health workers in the Federal Government employee, noting that Federal Government fast-tracked the insurance cover last year in anticipation of casualties attendant upon COVID-19 outbreak.

He said that unionisation for the welfare of workers should not be only for the purpose of strike, rather, going the extra miles to exploit all opportunities provided by government for the welfare of the workforce.

“So, NARD should make claims for the seventeen of their members it confirmed dead as result of COVID-19.

“They have the right to make a claim on behalf of their members. The insurance company only needs to verify the claims and pay.

“They can similarly make claim under the Employee Compensation Act for any of their members who has suffered injury in the course of his or her work or hazard in the course of work,’’ he said.

Speaking on the Medical Residency Programme which is the major reason for fresh action by NARD, the Minister declared that the progrramme has been working hitch-free since it came up in 2019.

He said that the House of Representatives had to do a supplementary appropriation to accommodate it in 2020 COVID-19 budget and the funds, fully released by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

He therefore urged doctors to respect the Hippocratic Oath which makes the wellbeing of patient’s cardinal. (NAN)

Metro

S’West Doctors threaten Strike over Unfavorable Allowances

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Torough David, Abuja

The South-West Caucus of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said its members may embark on strike if the unfavorable allowances introduced for doctors by the Federal Government is not withdrawn.

The caucus, which comprised Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun and Ondo states, said this at a news conference in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Dr Adeniyi Fasanu, the Caucus Chairman, stated that the recent circular issued by the National Salary, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) concerning doctors (increased) allowances, is not in tandem with economic reality.

Fasanu, who is also the Osun State NMA Chairman, said the national leadership of NMA had given the Federal Government 21-day ultimatum to withdraw the circular.

He said the southwest caucus aligns with national leadership of the NMA in demanding for: immediate correction of inconsequential adjustment in alignment with the 2001, 2009 and 2014 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

“Full payment of 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and comprehensive review of the fund to reflect current economic realities,” he said

Dr Olumuyiwa Alonge, Ondo NMA Chairman, said the FG did not consult them before announcing the allowances.

Alonge said this was the time medical doctors needed to be motivated as there was a serious shortage of doctors in the country, with a ratio of one doctor to 10,000 patients.

Speaking, Dr Ifedayo Oreyemi, Ekiti State NMA Chairman, said 2,000 doctors leave the country yearly, adding that if doctors’ welfare was not given adequate attention, doctors would continue to leave the country for greener pasture.

Ogun State NMA Chairman, Dr Luqman Ogunjimi said the NWIC circular on doctor’s allowances would discourage doctors that were already overworked and underpaid, to want to remain and practice in the Nigerian health sector.

Oyo State NMA Chairman, Dr. Happy Adedapo said the government needed to be responsive to the plight of doctors, saying the allowance being introduced was insignificant against the rising inflation in the country.

The caucus, among their 18 demands, also ask for the implementation of the 2021 hazard allowance agreement, and implementation of the revised retirement age for medical and dental practitioners.

They said if the Federal Government failed to attend to their demands, the caucus would convene an emergency meeting to advise their members appropriately in concert with the national leadership of NMA.

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Don Urges Curricula Reform to Include African Perspectives in Science, Logic

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Torough David, Abuja

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Oseni Afisi, on Tuesday called for reform of Nigeria’s education curricula to include African perspectives in science, logic and ethics.

Afisi made the call while delivering the 108th LASU Inaugural Lecture Series at the university’s main campus, Ojo.

Afisi is a Professor of Philosophy of Science, Logic and Critical Rationalism at the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, LASU.

Afisi’s lecture was entitled ‘The Oracle and the Open Society: Rethinking of Evolution of Authority and the Pursuit of Epistemical Justice in African Philosophical Thought’.

The inaugural lecturer said that teaching reforms should also emphasise dialogical reasoning, moral accountability and critical thinking rooted in local languages.

“Curricula at all levels of education must be reformed to include African perspectives in science, logic and ethics.

“Beyond token inclusion, educational content should reflect the depth, complexity and contemporary relevance of African philosophies.

“Teaching methods should emphasise dialogical reasoning, moral accountability, and critical thinking rooted in local languages, oral traditions and community experiences.

“Textbooks and materials should be developed to support these aims,” he said.

He said that scholars must rise to the challenge of rethinking epistemology beyond the western cannon.

“Scholars should embrace epistemic pluralism by critically engaging indigenous knowledge systems and legitimising their knowledge within global discourse.

“Research must not only be methodologically rigorous but also socially responsive.

“Interdisciplinary work that bridges philosophy, science and African worldviews should be encouraged through collaborative platforms and funding schemes,” he added.

He said that there was an urgent need to institutionalise plural approaches to knowledge.

He also said that national policies should formally recognise and regulate the interface between biomedicine and traditional healing system.

“Artificial Intelligence systems must be built with transparency, fairness and communal accountability at their core.

“Algorithmic decision-making tools should be subjected to ethical scrutiny informed by African communitarian ethics such as Ubuntu.

“Innovation hubs and tech curricula should incorporate training in philosophy of technology and digital ethics from African perspectives,” he said.

According to Afisi, the lecture was not merely about comparing African and Western systems of knowledge.

“It is about addressing a deeper concern: the epistemic injustice suffered by African traditions under colonialism and their continued marginalisation in our institutions today.

“It is about reclaiming the integrity of indigenous epistemologies, engaging critically with global thought systems.

 “Let us, therefore, re-imagine African societies where technological advancement is tempered by moral insight, where education is guided by critical consciousness and where governance reflects dialogue and dignity.

“May the African open society not be a borrowed idea, but a living tradition, critically reconstructed, philosophically grounded and ethically sustained,” he said.

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I was Pressured to Abandoned Benue Anti-open Grazing Law – Ortom

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom yesterday alleged that he faced severe pressure from the immediate past administration of Muhammad Buhari to abandon the implementation of the anti-open grazing law in the state.

He further revealed  that his refusal to step down the law as demanded by Buhari Govt, also denied him  N75 billion grant given to other states governors to clear salary arrears of civil servants, gratuities of pensioners and  infrastructural development.

Ortom, who disclosed this during a media interaction held at his residence in Makurdi on Thursday, explained that, at first, he was offered N40 Billion  free interest loan for infrastructural developments and another N35 billion to clear salary, gratuities of civil servants and pensioners.

“So, I was pressured to abandoned the law but I said no and I  was denied N75 billion in all, including taken free interest loan from infrastructural bank to finance development projects and clear salary and gratuities civil servants and pensioners because of my stance to defend my people”

“That was why the killings could not stop. Is not all about anti open grazing law. It is Fulani herdsmen agenda. Their plans to chase us out of our land. It’s about land grabbing and so, we must not allow it to happen. We should continue to pray for the governor of Benue State, Fr. Alia, the SGF and President Tinubu to succeed”, Ortom stated.

Speaking on the clamour by some northern politicians for power to return back to the north, Chief alluded that he stands with southerners to continue with the presidency comes 2027.

He maintained that in line with the gentlemanly agreement of rotating the presidency from North to South, he insisted that the South be allowed to complete its eight years before the baton returned to the northern part of the country.

“Till today, I, Ortom, believe in the southern presidency, even if my party (PDP) is producing a candidate for presidency in 2027, the candidate must be from the South. South should be allowed to complete eight years.

“So, for me, I am not supporting a northern candidate. But we will do strategic partnerships to win elections. I will encourage it. Samuel Ortom believed in the southern presidency. I will not support the northern presidency in 2027. It was a gentleman’s agreement that power should rotate between north and south”, Ortom stated. Even if my party is bringing a candidate from the south, we need to scrutinize the people before he can be accepted”.

Asked to assess the president’s administration, Ortom applauded the ongoing reforms of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the reforms were adding value to the economy.

“The Tinubu administration is doing well, je is ensuring that the rule of law prevails and this is good for our country.

“The oil industry had been a place where a few cliques siphoned our common wealth but with the removal of subsidy, there is a lot of money in all the states.

“The president even stated this during his visit to Benue at the height of the killing of our people in Yelwata where he said that no state would say it doesn’t have money to pay salary.

“Also, the tax reform is a good step, and the ongoing reforms will help our economy to grow, Tinubu is not partisan, his dream is to make the country grow.

While castigating Buhari’s administration the former governor said that the Buhari administration took the country from ‘top to bottom’.

Ortom who is now member of Board of Trustee of the Peoples Democratic Party said, he is not part of coalition, adding that he is a bona fide member of PDP, leader of PDP and member of BoT of the party which made him not to think of going out of the party.

“I remain a member and leader of Peoples Democratic Party, am even a board member of my party and I don’t believe in coalition but where there’s need for strategic partnership you will see me there.

“Politics is a game of interest, no permanent enemy or permanent friend, but permanent interest. I don’t believe in the coalition movement. President Tinubu is doing very well.

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