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Strike Enters Day Six As Resident Doctors Lock Horns With FG Over Unmet Demands

Chances of an amicable and swift resolution of the dispute between striking resident doctors and the Federal Government took a hit on Friday as both sides stuck to their positions, trading accusations.

The Federal Government insists that the doctors have no basis for the strike they started on Monday and has asked them to resume work, but the doctors say the government must honour their agreement and meet their demands before they pick up their tools again.

On Friday morning, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, said the striking doctors will not heed the call made by the Minister of Health a day earlier asking them to resume work.

Dr Osagie Ehanire said on Thursday that there was no basis for the nationwide strike as most of the issues raised by the doctors (seven out of 12) were the responsibility of state governments and not the Federal Government. According to him, the five issues that the Federal Government were responsible for were already being addressed.

But NARD disagreed, faulting the government’s approach to the matter.

“You can’t have signed an MOA (memorandum of agreement) with us and (say) everything you have said, and you have not even called us since the beginning of 2nd of August, 8 am, when the strike started,” the NARD President said during an appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily.

“The first thing you’re telling us is that we signed a document and we are not honouring it, (and) we need to resume work. They need to stand up to their responsibilities.”

This position, and the subsequent refusal of the striking doctors to resume work, angered the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige who threatened to utilise all the labour laws and tools at his disposal to ensure that the doctors face consequences for the strike. This includes the “No work, No pay” rule.

Dr Ngige is also not ready to negotiate with the doctors.

“I won’t meet them,” the visibly angry minister said when asked about the possibility of talks between both parties during an appearance on Politics Today on Friday night.

“No, I won’t; because I have other things to do”.

Like the Health Minister, Dr Ngige argues that it was wrong for the doctors to have gone on strike being essential workers.

He also dismissed the position of the doctors that the Federal Government had not communicated with them or fulfilled the terms of the agreement reached on April 10 when they suspended an earlier strike.

Rather than hold talks with the doctors, the minister said he invoked the “no work, no pay” rule on Friday afternoon.

“They will not receive money for the period that they are on strike and it will never count for a pensionable position in their career,” he said.

Asked if that was a fair position, the minister declared that “that’s what it is”.

“Even the ILO supports it because they (doctors) offer essential services,” he said, adding that they were not supposed to go on strike without notifying him 15 days prior.

Although the minister admitted that NARD sent him “a communique” of their meeting, detailing their grievances and the resolution to go on strike, it was not the same as a trade dispute notification which he insists is what they ought to have sent to him.

Officials of NARD maintain that the government left them with no other choice than to go on strike as the issues resident doctors were facing were serious ones.

“Usually there is no negotiation done until we go on a strike,” said the President of the Association of Resident Doctors at the National Hospital in Abuja, Dr Akanimo Ebong told Channels Television on Monday when the strike started.

The doctors are seeking the immediate payment of all salaries owed to all house officers, including March salaries (regardless of quota system).

They are also asking for an upward review of the hazard allowance to 50 per cent of consolidated basic salaries of all health workers and the payment of the outstanding COVID-19 inducement allowance, especially in state-owned-tertiary institutions, among other things.

This time around, even the strike has not led to talks, and with both sides maintaining their position, the strike has dragged into a sixth day, amid concerns that it can have major implications for health care delivery in the country and the race to halt the spread of COVID-19.

‘Baba Is A Problem Solver Who Loves Nigeria With Passion’ – FFK Reacts To Obasanjo’s Trip To Benin Republic For Sunday Igboho

The former Aviation minister, Femi Fani Kayode has reacted after ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo travelled to Benin Republic to visit his longtime friend “Nicephore Soglo” who was the ex-President of Benin Republic. The elder statesman, Obasanjo travelled to console him for the loss of his wife. However, it was also made known that he visited the incumbent President, Patrice Talon to ask that they grant Sunday Igboho asylum.

Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Sunday Igboho has been in the custody of the Beninise government after he tried escaping to Germany with his wife. Some Yoruba monarchs have also visited Benin republic to plead for his release so that Igboho won’t be handed over to the Buhari-led government. Obasanjo has also taken this bold step just like other monarchs and Yoruba leaders are doing now.

In reaction to this, Femi Fani Kayode has made it known that Obasanjo is a problem solver and a great statesman who loves Nigeria with passion. He prayed that God will lead and protect him always.

Remanded Aminu Yar’Adua Not Late Ex-President’s Son – Family Source

The 36-year-old Aminu Yar’Adua who was remanded for allegedly killing four persons in an auto crash in Yola, believed to be the son of former President, Umaru Yar’Adua is the son of the elder Yar’Adua, Late Gen Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

There had been reports that Aminu who was believed to be the son of the late former president’s son, was remanded by a magistrate court in Yola.

A family source that spoke with ThisDay on condition of anonymity said Aminu, who works with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, remains a member of the family, but there is a need to set the facts right.

NAN had reported that Yar’Adua, a student of the American University of Nigeria, Yola, was charged to court for allegedly causing death by dangerous driving.

The Police First Information Report (FIR) tendered in court by the prosecutor, Inspector Zakka Musa, stated that the accused had, while driving along Yola bye-pass in June, ran over six people as a result of overspeeding.

It was recorded that four of the victims were killed, while two others suffered injuries.

“Those that died in the accident were identified as Aisha Umar (30), Aisha Mamadu (32), Suleiman Abubakar (2) and Jummai Abubakar (30); while Rejoice Annu (28) and Hajara Aliyu (27) sustained injuries,” the report stated.

The prosecuting officer had told the court that the relatives of the late Aisha Umar, Suleiman Abubakar and Jummai Abubakar had demanded the sum of N15 million from the defendant as compensation.

But, when the FIR was read to the defendant as prayed for by the prosecutor, he denied committing the offence, describing the allegation as untrue.

At that point, the prosecutor pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter, to enable him duplicate the case file and forward same to the Department of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

The Magistrate, Jummai Ibrahim, therefore, granted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the matter to August 19, 2021, for further mention, and ordered that Aminu son be remanded in prison custody until then.

ACG Of Immigration, Zone A, Oluremi Talabi, Sues For Efficiency As She Visits Lagos State Command

The Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Zone A, Oluremi Ajoke Talabi, during the week, visited the Lagos Command of the Immigration Service.
Lagos Command is part of Zone A which has under it Ogun State Command, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA Command, Seme Border Command, Lagos Border Patrol Command, Idiroko Border Command, Lagos Seaport and Marine Command as well as the Passport Control Command.

In a statement signed by Jide Ogungbe, Lagos Command spokesman and made available to NAOSRE, Talabi was received on arrival by the Command’s Comptroller of Immigration Service, CIS, Bauchi Aliyu.
Addressing officers and men of the Command, Talabi commended the Aliyu led team for carrying out their duties without attracting complaints from the public.
She warned officers against revealing any official information that is meant to be treated as confidential.

She advised officers to adopt “a need to know basis principle” in managing information.

In addition, Talabi pointed out that Lagos Command has the highest number of personnel in the country, a fact that calls for utmost professionalism in the overall interest of Nigeria in line with the administrative policies of President Muhammadu Buhari and Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hammed Alli, ret’d.

The ACG mandated officers to be watchful for fraudulent documents and revealed that the Service is currently implementing electronic-powered mechanisms that’ll make it easier to identify fraudulent documents.

Earlier, the Lagos Command CIS, in his address, dutifully gave a detailed account to the Zonal Coordinator with specific regards to the challenges and developments in the Command.

He revealed that his first project from the moment he arrived was to improve the condition of LSC’s Provisional and Annex offices, a task he disclosed has been accomplished strictly through Corporate Social Responsibility, CRS, supports from friends of the Service. The CIS also revealed that he was able to construct both the Quarter Guard and Parade Ground through the same donations.

Aliyu further disclosed that there is an imminent plan of the International Organization for Migration to fully fund and oversee the construction of a Personnel Training and Resource Centre for the Lagos Command.

He unveiled plans to build additional toilet and bathroom facilities to augment the existing ones.

CIS Aliyu informed the Zonal Coordinator that he has formed a committee that is presently working on the development of a compendium that would offer a concise interpretative collection of the most frequently violated Immigration laws for the sensitization of stakeholders.

He noted that the outcome of his visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has birth the governor’s generous heart of donating land that can accommodate the construction of the Service Headquarters structure in Lagos.

He revealed that his persistent verbal and written requests have resulted in the setting up of a Security Forum headed by the Secretary to the State Government for Intel and ideas sharing amongst security agencies in the state.

He stated the proposal he submitted to the Governor’s Office for the planned mop-up and repatriation operation of irregular migrants residing in the state.

“The proposal is a direct response to the concern raised by stakeholders during the meeting chaired by the Governor to address the menace of motorbike riders operating in the state,” he said.

However, he stated that despite the positive results of his efforts, more still needs to be done.

The CIS, therefore, tabled a number of requests for the ACG’s attention to improve the service delivery capacity of the Command.

He requested the facilitation of the deployment of junior officers and drivers as well as follow-up by her office to facilitate the completion of the Command building project.

He also requested support for the proposed inclusion of the E-Migrant registration slip as a checklist for resident permit applications; the setting up of a Music Band and the renovation of the Command Holding Centre.

The ACG however, promised to support within available resources and called for more commitment to duties.

BREAKING! Presidency Confirms Extradition Agreement Between Nigeria And USA Over Abba Kyari

Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has finally spoken on the Possible extradition of DCP Abba Kyari after his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.

POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that Kyari fell from grace to grass after a US court ordered his arrest over his involvement with disgraced fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abass popularly known as ‘Hushpuppi’.

During an interview with Voice Of America (VOA) on Thursday, Malami disclosed that though there is a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and the US, there are guidelines to be followed.

“Yes, we have bilateral agreement between Nigeria and USA on extraditing anyone who commits any offence in any of the countries, be it Nigeria or United States but there are guidelines and the guidelines are when the country writes a letter to the foreign affairs ministry, and the foreign affairs will send to the minister of justice…so the court will give permission for extradition of any one to go and answer some questions in United states based on the allegations.”

“I am not saying Abba Kyari will be extradited but the law will be followed judiciously before taking any action,”, he said.

United States District Court of California has since issued an arrest warrant for Kyari.

Ritualists gang rape 50-year-old woman, remove her eyes and private parts in Delta

Five suspected ritualists have reportedly gang raped and murder a 50-year-old woman, Mrs. Patience Komone, at Umeh community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was gathered that the ritualists after killing the woman, removed her eyes and private parts and dumped her remains in a bush in the community.

The deceased fondly called Pat, a native of Otughievwen, Ughelli South Local Government Area was declared missing by her family since Tuesday 27 July, when she left her home to Umeh where she periodically buys pepper and sundry vegatables for sale along Sapele Road, Effurun, Uvwie.

The State Commissioner of Police, Ari Mohammed Ali, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, August 4, said decomposing body of the woman was found in the bush on Tuesday, following the arrest of one suspect, Onoriode Simon Akpoavirhi, 25, the Okada rider who carried her on that fateful day.

The suspect was paraded alongside sixteen others arrested for kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism across the state.

On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the killing of the missing woman in connivance with one Akpoghene Shoemaker, now at large. They raped her and robbed her of the sum of forty thousand before killing her using a machete.

The suspect also confessed that one lucky Daniel of Ohoro town contracted them to bring the body parts for him after paying them one hundred thousand naira (N100,000).

“Sequel to the missing person report received by the Command on 2/8/21 at about 1456hrs of one Mrs. Patience Komore aged 50yrs, who disappeared after leaving for Umeh market in Isoko south LGA to get fish. I directed the Divisional police officer Oleh to unravel the mystery behind her disappearance,” the CP stated.

“The DPO Mobilized police operatives, vigilante, and community leaders who continuously worked together and gathered information regarding the case. Acting on a tip off, on 3/8/2021 at about 1300hours, One Onos Simon m’ age 25yrs an Okada man was arrested, the Okada rider was the same person who carried the woman on that faithful day. On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the killing of the missing woman Mrs. Patience Komore in connivance with one Akpoghene Shoemaker ‘m’ now at large.

“They raped her and robbed her of the sum of forty thousand before killing her using a machete. Not only did they kill her, they also removed her eyes and private part for ritual purposes. Suspect also confessed that one lucky Daniel of Ohoro town contracted them to bring the body part for him after paying them one hundred thousand naira (#100,000).

“The decomposing corpse has been recovered and deposited in the mortuary. Members of the public are hereby urged to assist the police with useful information that can lead to the arrest of the fleeing Akpoghene shoemaker and lucky Daniel,” he added.

Lagos Assembly Scrap Houses for Ex-Governors, Others in Pension Reform Law

Lagos Assembly Scrap Houses for Rx-Governors, Others in Pension Reform Law

The Lagos State House of Assembly (Lagos Assembly) on Thursday approved the report of its committee on establishment which recommended the reduction of pensions to former governors and other affected officials by 50 percent.

The Lagos Assembly is committee also expunged the provision of houses in Abuja and Lagos for former governors as stipulated in an earlier law operated by the state.

The report further showed a reduction in the number of vehicles to be made available to former governors and their deputies.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, suggested that former governors should get two vehicles (a car and a van) instead of three as recommended by the committee.

He also suggested that the amended bill should provide that the cars be changed every four years instead of the three years recommended by the report.

While some of the lawmakers, at plenary, had suggested for an upward review of the pension for the affected public office holders by 75 percent, others urged that the pension remain as stipulated in the old law.

However, Obasa argued that it should be left at 50 percent, especially as the report had recommended the removal of houses and reduced other benefits.

While recalling the recent murder of the president of Haiti, Obasa said it was necessary to also secure the lives of the former office holders.

“By virtue of my office, I have seen former Speakers who we just had to intervene in their lives because of the situations they found themselves outside office. We have also seen former governors in a very bad situation,” he said.

Obasa noted the argument of his colleagues that the projected downward review of the pension for the former governors and others could also be affected by inflation and other economic considerations, but reminded that the House must meet the wishes of the people one of which is a cut in the cost of governance.

“There is no argument, we must realise that this is democracy and it is all about the people. We are here because of the people. When we represent people, it is good for us to listen to them as well.

“We must realise that we would always go back to the people for support. So when we hearken to their agitations and reduce what existed, it shows that we listen,” Obasa told his colleagues adding that his suggestion for further reduction of the number of cars was because “as you age, your needs continue to decrease.”

Earlier some of the lawmakers of the Lagos Assembly had supported the report of the committee saying it would have a positive impact on the internally generated revenue of the state.

Just In: Former President, Musa Yar’Adua’s Son Sent To Prison For Allegedly Killing Four People

A Magistrate’s Court in Yola on Thursday remanded Aminu Yar’Adua, the son of late former President Umaru Yar’Adua, in prison for allegedly killing four people in an auto crash in Yola.

Yar’Adua, a 36 year-old student of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) Yola, was charged to court for allegedly causing death by dangerous driving on 23 June 2021.

According to the police First Information Report (FIR) tendered in court by the prosecutor, Insp. Zakka Musa, the accused had, while driving along Yola bye pass on 23 June, 2021 , crushed six people as a result of over speeding.

The court heard that four of the victims were killed and the other two were injured in the accident, with the victims all hailing from Sabon Pegi, Yola South Local Government Area.

” Those that died in the accident were identified as; Aisha Umar (30), Aisha Mamadu (32), Suleiman Abubakar(2) and Jummai Abubakar (30), while, Rejoice Annu (28) and Hajara Aliyu(27) sustained injuries”, according to the FIR.

The prosecuting officer told the court that the relatives of late Aisha Umar, Suleiman Abubakar and Jummai Abubakar had demanded the sum of N15 million from the defendant as compensation.

But, when the FIR was read to the defendant as prayed by the prosecutor, he denied committing the offence, describing the allegation as untrue.

At that point, the prosecutor pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter, to enable him duplicate the case file and forward to the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

The Magistrate, Jummai Ibrahim granted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the matter till 19 August, 2021, for further mention.

He then ordered that Aminu Yar’Adua be remanded in prison custody until then.

Earlier reports said Aminu barely escaped lynching on the day of the accident as a mob descended on him for killing the four pedestrians and injuring two others.

Among the four killed was a toddler.
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The prompt intervention of policemen at the scene of the accident, saved Yar’adua, said to be an off-campus student of American University of Nigeria (AUN).

Lagos Assembly Approves 50% Reduction In Pensions Of Former Govs, Deputies

The Lagos State House of Assembly has approved a 50 percent reduction in pension of former governors and deputies of the state.

The approval was made after the lawmakers considered the report of its committee on establishment.

The committee recommended the removal of the section of the law that stipulates the provision of houses for ex-governors in Abuja and Lagos State while it reduced the number of vehicles to be made available to them and their deputies.

Though the committee recommended three vehicles for ex-governors but the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, suggested two vehicles for them, including a car and a van.

He also suggested that the amended bill should provide that the cars be changed every four years instead of the three years recommended by the committee in the report.

Also, some of the lawmakers at the plenary called for an upward review of the pension for the affected public office holders by 75 percent while others urged that the pension remain as stipulated in the old law.

The speaker, however, argued that the pension be left at 50 percent since the report had recommended removal of houses and reduced other benefits.

Obasa stressed the need to secure the lives of ex-public office holders, saying he has seen some former speakers and ex-governors in very bad situation after leaving office.

He further pointed out that the argument for downward review of the pension for former governors and others by his colleagues could be affected by inflation and other economic considerations while he stressed the need for the House to meet the yearning of the people, which include cutting down cost of governance.

BREAKING: Police Arrests Lady Who killed Her boyfriend, absconds with New Benz Car in Akwa Ibom

A lady has been arrested by officers of the Nigerian Police Force for allegedly killing her boyfriend and escaping with his Mercedes Benz 4matic Vehicle and its original ownership papers in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

According to an eyewitness, Vincent Aluu, the vehicle was tracked and the girl was swiftly arrested.

She is currently detained at the B division Police station in Ewet Housing Estate area of the state. According to Aluu, the lady visited the deceased simply identified as ‘Chukwuma’ at his residence in Osongoma before proceeding to murder him.

The eyewitness wrote on Facebook: “The girl in the picture visited the deceased in Uyo, butchered him to death and made away with his brand new Mercedes Benz 4matic and the original documents.”

“The victim, Chukwuemeka, is the only son to the parents and was an importer. All efforts to reach him by his friend to come clear his consignments failed. He was found in his pool of blood inside his bed room.”

“Using the vehicle tracker, the daughter of Jezebel was traced to a nearby hotel enjoying. Currently, she is singing like a parrot at Ewet Housing Police Station.”

It was gathered that the suspect was simply identified as ‘Laurretta’ and she hails from Ogoja in Cross River state. She reportedly also stole N7 million naira from the deceased.

Source: Politics Nigeria