News Archives - Page 182 of 281 - SocietyGazette.com

Nigerian govt Vows to recover millions of Naira wrongly paid to 588 doctors

Nigerian govt to recover millions of Naira wrongly paid to 588 doctorsNigerian govt to recover millions of Naira wrongly paid to 588 doctors.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, stated this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents in Abuja.

He explained that affected doctors wrongly benefitted from Medical Residency Training Fund meant for a particular category of doctors.

According to him, the names of the doctors were uncovered after a thorough scrutinization of the 8000 names submitted by Chief Medical Directors of Federal Government health institutions for the training programme.

The minister, however, revealed that a substantial amount of the money had been refunded by some of the affected doctors while efforts had been intensified to recover the remaining balance.

He maintained that the delay in making the refund by the affected doctors was holding back the Residency Fund payment by the government.

Mr Ngige said: “Ministry of Health has gotten the list of doctors who supposedly are to benefit from the Medical Residency Training Fund.

“Total submission of about 8000 names were gotten and the Ministry of Health is scrutinising them.

“We have done the first round of scrutinization and they will now compare what they have with the Post-Graduate Medical College and the Chief Medical Directors who submitted the names.

“The Association of Resident Doctors, in each of the tertiary centres, worked with the CMDs to produce those names, but now that the names are being verified.

“We discovered that about 2000 names shouldn’t be there because they don’t have what is called Postgraduate Reference Numbers of National Postgraduate Medical College and (or) that of the West African Postgraduate Medical College.

“So, this is it and that is the only thing holding back the Residency Fund payment because it is there already for… incurred expenditure has been done by the Finance Minister and it’s in the Accountant-General’s office,” he said.

“So, once they verify the authenticity of those they are submitting, the Accountant-General will pay.

“We are doing that verification because we do not want what happened last time in 2020 to reoccur.

“In 2020, the submitted names didn’t come through the appropriate source, which is the Postgraduate Medical College and payment was affected and it was discovered that about 588 persons, who were not resident doctors benefited from such money.

“They are now finding it difficult to make the full refund. But they have to refund that money. Some are refunding, but there is no full consideration of the account.

“That account has to be reconciled to enable the accountants pay the next round of funding for 2021,” he said.

Commenting on the ongoing strike by Resident Doctors, Mr Ngige expressed the readiness of the Federal Government to withdraw the case it instituted against them, if they would go back to their duty post.

He, however, insisted that the ‘no work, no pay’ policy of the government would be observed because “it is a global practice which is also captured in Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act under the International Labour Organization, ILO.”

JUST IN: Shiekh Gumi reveals Big Secret On Bandits, Killer Herdsmen Operation In Nigeria

Shiekh Abubakar Gumi, a respected islamic scholar has revealed the only way the bandit/herdsmen crisis can be stopped in Nigeria.

Gumi, a controversial figure, in a recent statement seen by POLITICS NIGERIA disclosed that the menace can only be stopped with Amnesty. According to him, the same way the government quelled the Niger-Delta crisis with Amnesty is the only way to end the activities of bandits and killer Herdsmen.

The statement titled; “Zamfara: The Flaring Crisis”, read in part; “I have met many of the bandit leaders to see a way out of this gridlock. I have talked to the political class and security agents. Except for an exception, most state governors want a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

“The Police and other security outfits have also realized the enormity of the problem. But, unfortunately, the presidency for what appears to be political gullibility and the military for budgetary reasons as they are the most beneficiary of conflicts of this nature doesn’t seem to be on the same page.”

“This conflict can be resolved by active engagement of the government with the agitators. Just as we saw how ENDSAR agitation was swiftly managed after an initial scandalous failed military confrontation, was peacefully resolved by the government, likewise, the herdsmen crisis can be.”

“Just as we had the Niger delta conflict resolved with an amnesty which comes with reconciliation, reparation, and rehabilitation packages, so will the herdsmen crisis be resolved. In fact, there is a need for a Marshal plan to educate the nomadic pastoralist so that no citizen is left behind.”

“These measures I enumerated are cheaper, easier, and lasting than the kinetic approach which is now taking place. No military especially of a poor economy can win guerrilla warfare. The recent victory of the Taliban in Afghanistan is a factual warning for those that contemplate.”

Military Arrests Guinea President Alpha Conde, Dissolves Government

An elite military unit have reportedly arrested Guinea President, Alpha Conde and dissolved the country’s government.
Colonel Mamady Doumbouya of the Guinea military said in a video recorded in the capital Conakry that the National Assembly has been dissolved and the constitution suspended indefinitely.

In a viral video, ousted President, Conde was seen being shoved into a van and driven away by security operatives.

Residents had earlier disclosed that they heard about two hours of heavy gunfire across the capital, with two individuals seen with bullet wounds.

Colonel Doumbouya, in his broadcast, said all land and air routes have been shut in the interim.

He urged citizens to remain at home and await further instruction on the direction of the government.

Giving reasons for the coup, the military officer said widespread corruption and poverty has become prominent in Guinea, accusing Conde of failing to deliver on his promises.

Recall that Conde, 83, won a third term of office last October.

See Photo Of Bullet ridden Car driven by murdered Sowore’s Younger brother

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has released pictures from the scene of the murder of his younger brother, Olajide Sowore.
It was earlier reported that Sowore had announced that his younger brother was shot dead near Okada town in Edo State on Saturday morning.

According to the former presidential candidate, Olajide was coming back from Igbinedion University, where he is studying Pharmacy.

Sowore described his younger brother as an out-of-the-box thinker who created his own genre of music, stating that he was assassinated by everything that was not right.

In a post via his Facebook page, Sowore shared pictures showing a bullet-ridden vehicle driven by his brother when he was murdered on the Ore-Benin highway in Edo State.

He wrote: “Pictures showing bullet-ridden vehicle driven by my little brother, Jide Sowore, when he was murdered on Ore-Benin highway this morning on his way to Benin City from school where he was studying Pharmacy at Igbinedion University in Okada!”

Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Kill Sowore’s Younger Brother In Edo

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have killed Olajide, the younger brother of Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in Edo State.
In a post via his Facebook post on Saturday, Sowore stated his younger brother was shot dead by the criminals near Okada town in the South-South state.

According to the former presidential candidate, Olajide was coming back from school (Igbinedion University), where is studying Pharmacy.

He wrote: “My immediate younger brother, Olajide Sowore was today shot and killed near Okada in Edo state by reportedly herdsmen/kidnappers on his way from Igbinedion University in Edo state where he is studying Pharmacy.

“They snuffed out the life of yet another real human being! Rest In Power, “Dr. Mamiye!”

“This act in itself will not delay their day of justice.

“I travelled widely with you and our father as a little kid. You were the most loved robust kid I ever first knew. You, Mr. magnet had no enemy!

“You, Mr. Sunshine Foundation who made everyone happy.

“You, the boy who snuck out his older ones to parties, taking all the blames when our disciplinarian father found out.

“You, the guy who was an out-of-the-box thinker who decided school wasn’t for you and created you own genre of music and then turned around to go to school after you almost turned 50!

“You lived your life so that everyone could be alright but now assassinated by everything that’s not alright! Saddest day yet!”

At First I Thought It Was April Fool When Doctors Started Strike – Ngige

Labour Minister, Chris Ngige said he thought doctors in Nigeria were playing a prank when they embarked on an industrial action.

On Friday, the minister assured that the government will end the ongoing nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

Ngige spoke in Abuja at the Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum Quarterly meeting.

Ngige said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was doing its best to cater for doctors.

He recalled that public health workers got N32 billion as special COVID-19 hazard allowance for three months in the first instance.

Ngige said state governments were advised to pay as much as they could.

Narrating how the situation degenerated, he said in September 2020, NARD issued a notice of strike while asking for Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).

They wanted N542,000 each to cover the cost of books and journals for that particular examination, transportation and lodging for three days.

Ngige added that since the supplementary budget was being put together then, the doctors’ demand was included, fulfilled and they called off the strike.

The minister said by March 2021, they listed other things, complaining that Residency Training Fund was not in the 2021 budget.

”They also needed the hazard allowance to be upgraded and demanded that States should domesticate Residency Training Act.

“Before we could say Jack Robinson, they went on strike on April 1. I thought it was April fool until April 2 when we didn’t see them at work.

“I told them that, they didn’t give the mandatory 21 days notice to their employers who have written to me to complain.”

Ngige said the 2021 Residency Training Fund was eventually captured in the supplementary budget, disclosing that the funds are now available.

BREAKING: Afghanistan Gets New President To Lead Taliban Government

It is gathered that Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar will lead a new Afghan government set to be announced shortly, sources in the Islamist group said on Friday, as its fighters battled forces loyal to the vanquished republic in the Panjshir Valley north of Kabul.

The new government’s most immediate priority, however, should be to stave off the collapse of an economy grappling with drought and the ravages of a conflict that killed an estimated 240,000 Afghans.

Baradar, who heads the Taliban’s political office, will be joined by Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, the son of late Taliban co-founder Mullah Omar, and Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, in senior positions in the government, three sources said.

“All the top leaders have arrived in Kabul, where preparations are in final stages to announce the new government,” one Taliban official told Reuters, on condition of anonymity.

Haibatullah Akhunzada, the Taliban’s supreme religious leader, will focus on religious matters and governance within the framework of Islam, another Taliban source said.

The Taliban, which seized Kabul on Aug. 15 after sweeping across most of the country, have faced resistance in the Panjshir Valley, where there have been reports of heavy fighting and casualties.

Several thousand fighters of regional militias and remnants of the government’s armed forces have massed in the rugged valley under the leadership of Ahmad Massoud, the son of former
Efforts to negotiate a settlement appear to have broken down, with each side blaming the other for the failure.

While the Taliban have spoken of their desire to form a consensus government, a source close to the militant movement said the interim government now being formed would consist solely of Taliban members.

It would comprise 25 ministries, with a consultative council, or shura, of 12 Muslim scholars, the source added.

Also being planned within six to eight months is a Loya jirga, or grand assembly, bringing together elders and representatives across Afghan society to discuss a constitution and the structure of the future government, the source said.

All the sources expected the interim government’s cabinet to be finalised soon but differed over exactly when with some saying it would be settled later on Friday while others felt it would take until the middle of next week

“Yahoo Yahoo” Affecting Nigeria’s Economy, Giving Our Country Bad Name – EFCC Boss Lament

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has said internet fraud such as “Yahoo Yahoo” is affecting Nigeria’s Economy and given the country a bad name globally.

The EFCC boss lamented that the activities of the criminals have impacted the country’s economy causing the closure of businesses, losses of jobs and economic instability

He said the fight against cybercrimes will succeed with the collaboration of everybody, including the youth because it requires a lot of intelligence gathering.

The commission also lamented that cybercrime had “given Nigeria a bad name globally.”

The EFCC boss represented by the Head, Cybercrime Department of the commission, Mallam Sambo, said these in his paper titled, ‘Youth and impact of cyber and other financial crimes to the national economy, at the 2021 Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation scholars mentorship forum, which ended in Abuja on Thursday.

He said, “Intelligence gathering is giving out useful information to the commission in curbing cybercrime across the country. Intelligence gathering is very important in the fight against cybercrime.

“The activities of the criminals have impacted in the country’s economy causing closure of businesses, losses of jobs and economic instability

(VIDEO) Even When I’m On Top Of My Wife And I Remember Those In IDP camp….it goes flat – Governor Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has said the rise in the population of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), due to lack of security in the North, troubles him.

He said he is deprived of sleep when he remembers those in IDP camps who have been forced to flee their homes because of insurgency.

He added: “Even when I’m on top of my wife and I remember the people in the IDP camp…”

Those in the crowd added, “It goes flat” and Ortom smiled in agreement.

Watch the video below.

https://www.instagram.com/_u/lindaikejiblogofficial/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=2919512f-f0d0-4470-a385-ec251b66596b&ig_mid=3026C0BE-58B5-4BC5-940F-681691C8856F

Seyi Makinde Reveals Why Alaafin And Olubadan Were Unable To Gain Entrance ‘At Lekan Salami Stadium

Two prominent traditional rulers in Oyo State, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji were surprisingly unable to gain entrance during the commissioning of the renovated Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba in Ibadan.

It was reported that security agents on duty during the event which took place on Wednesday in Oyo State, prevented the traditional rulers from entering the event venue despite the Very Important Personality (VIP) Invitation Cards with them.

The traditional rulers later left the venue without attending the event following the incident with the security operatives.

The media aides of the two monarchs confirmed the development as earlier reported by Naija News.

But reacting to the incident, the Oyo State government on Thursday in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Taiwo Adisa said the traditional rulers were duly invited and expected at the event.

On why they were however unable to gain entry, the statement explained that the royal fathers were unable to access the designated VVIP Drop Off zone due to the surging crowd that turned out for the event.

It added that the security operatives told them to make use of another gate and noted that the state government holds the two traditional rulers in the highest esteem.

The statement reads in part: “What happened was that security operatives advised that the drivers of the revered monarchs make their way through another gate, since their convoys were unable to access the VVIP Drop Off Zone from the gate they entered through.

“From the VVIP Drop Off Zone, it would be easy for the monarchs to access the VVIP box without meandering through the stairs, as that would have unduly stressed them given their age,” he said.

“His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde wishes to categorically state that the Alaafin and the Olubadan were well-expected at the event and that their seats were reserved.”

It added that the convoys of the monarchs were well treated and cautioned those spreading lies about what transpired on Wednesday to desist from such acts.

“The government frowns on reports indicating that the convoys of the revered monarchs were not treated accordingly and would take appropriate steps to correct any untoward indication,” the statement added.