News
UUTH Crisis: CMD Faults EFCC Raid, Appeals to Doctors to Resume Duty
By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
The Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Ememabasi Bassey, has appealed to doctors and the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to suspend the ongoing industrial action at the hospital, warning that continued disruption of medical services could endanger patients’ lives.
Prof. Bassey made the appeal during a press conference in Uyo on Wednesday while reacting to Tuesday’s controversial operation by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the hospital over an investigation involving an alleged fake medical report.
Tension erupted at the hospital on Tuesday, May 12, after armed EFCC operatives reportedly stormed the facility in an attempt to arrest Eyo Ekpe, following delays in authenticating a medical report linked to an ongoing EFCC investigation.
The incident triggered protests by doctors and hospital workers, who accused the operatives of invading the hospital with armed personnel, firing tear gas, and assaulting staff members, leading to a shutdown of medical services.
Reports from the hospital indicated that shortly after the incident and the subsequent stop-work action by medical personnel, a middle-aged man allegedly died at the Accident and Emergency Unit, causing panic among patients and relatives.
Speaking on the development, Prof. Bassey urged unions and healthcare workers to consider the condition of patients who rely on the hospital for treatment.
“I want to appeal to the leadership of the NMA and the unions to consider the lives of innocent patients who may lose their lives if left unattended. The stoppage of work does not benefit the perpetrators of the act in any way,” he said.
The CMD described UUTH as the only publicly accessible federal tertiary health institution in Akwa Ibom State, noting that the facility attends to between 600 and 800 patients daily.
According to him, the crisis began after the EFCC requested authentication of a medical report allegedly issued by the hospital in respect of a suspect under investigation.
Prof. Bassey said internal investigations later revealed that the document was fake and had been issued using an outdated hospital letterhead. He added that the doctor whose name appeared on the report was not attached to the department listed in the document.
“We discovered that some actors had opened a fake folder with no official documentation and issued a fake medical report,” he stated.
The CMD further disclosed that Prof. Ekpe had already prepared a draft response confirming the report was fake before EFCC operatives allegedly stormed his office and attempted to arrest him.
“At no point did the operatives formally notify hospital management or present any arrest warrant before attempting to drag out a professor from his office,” Bassey alleged.
While acknowledging the EFCC’s anti-corruption mandate, the CMD urged security agencies to observe professionalism and proper rules of engagement when operating within health institutions.
“This hospital is a place of last resort for millions of citizens. It is a hallowed ground, not a place for violent operations that could endanger patients and healthcare workers,” he added.
Also speaking, Prof. Ekpe alleged that he was forcibly dragged from his office by armed operatives despite informing them that he neither authored the medical report nor was a suspect in the investigation.
He further claimed that some hospital workers sustained injuries during the operation as panic spread across the facility following the alleged firing of tear gas and gunshots.
By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has disclosed that the state’s in-house quantity surveying mechanism has saved more than ₦200 billion since 2023, with the funds redirected to critical development projects.
Eno made the disclosure while presiding over the July edition of the State Projects Delivery Meeting in Uyo, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, prudent financial management, and timely execution of projects.
The governor said his administration remains accountable to the people through strict adherence to due process and efficient management of public resources.
He also cautioned against the spread of misinformation about government projects, noting that the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), representatives of civil society organisations, members of the media, and other stakeholders were invited to independently observe the government’s project review process.
Highlighting achievements across key sectors, Eno listed the unveiling of the 350-bed Ibom International Hospital, the commencement of twice-weekly Ibom Air flights to Accra, Ghana, the expected delivery of a new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, upgrades to aviation infrastructure, rehabilitation of the Oron maritime facilities, and ongoing efforts to actualise the Ibom Deep Seaport project.
On infrastructure, the governor said his administration is currently executing 1,305 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges across the state.
He disclosed that a total of ₦743.315 billion has been spent on road projects, including inherited projects.
Eno further announced that Akwa Ibom received a $6 million performance grant under the World Bank-supported State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme for achievements in transparency, budget management, and good governance.
He added that the state also secured an additional $3 million under the Nigeria for Women Project to support rural women.
The meeting also reviewed projects proposed for presidential commissioning later this year, including major road projects, the ARISE Palm Resort, the Ibom International Hospital, the new terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport, the Aviation Village, the Command and Control Centre, and the Governor’s Office Annex.
Progress reports were equally presented on the Oron Maritime Project, the Ibom International Convention Centre, Ibom Hotels, the Ewet Luxury Estate, Youth Development Centres across the 31 local government areas, model schools, primary healthcare centres, and ongoing power sector reforms by the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
The governor thanked stakeholders for their continued support and participation, stressing that governance is a shared responsibility and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to delivering the ARISE Agenda and improving the welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom State.
By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed reports alleging that its newly acquired Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses are refurbished, insisting that the vehicles are brand-new and factory-built.
The government said the buses were manufactured at the Isuzu production plant in Turkey and delivered directly to the state.
The state recently received the first batch of 20 CNG buses, with the remaining 30 expected to arrive in July and August, completing the procurement of 50 buses.
Speaking during the presentation of the buses to journalists and civil society organisations in Uyo, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, said Governor Umo Eno approved the purchase of 50 brand-new factory-built CNG buses as part of efforts to establish a modern and environmentally friendly mass transit system.
According to him, the project also includes the construction of an ultra-modern transport terminal in Uyo, sub-stations in all 31 local government areas, bus shelters, a driver training academy, maintenance workshops, car wash facilities, CNG refuelling stations, and other supporting infrastructure.
Umanah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering an integrated, efficient, and sustainable public transportation system.
“We have complete documentation of the manufacturing process, production line, and factory inspections. The buses are brand-new, factory-built vehicles. We invited members of the media to inspect them firsthand so that the public can be properly informed,” he said.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Anthony Luke, described the initiative as a landmark project that would position Akwa Ibom among the leading states promoting clean energy transportation in Nigeria.
He disclosed that he personally led a delegation to the Isuzu manufacturing plant in Turkey, where he witnessed the production and inspection of the buses.
“I speak as an eyewitness because I was there. I witnessed the production process and the quality inspections. What Akwa Ibom people are seeing today is genuine. These are brand-new buses manufactured specifically for our state,” Luke said.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Dias Project, Mr. Alexandro Selefteriadis, clarified that the vehicles are original factory-built CNG buses fitted with Cummins CNG engines and were not converted from diesel-powered vehicles.
He said the buses were purpose-built to run on compressed natural gas, in line with global standards for cleaner and more efficient public transportation.
Health Groups Welcome ₦62bn FEC Approval for TB Commodities, Urge Swift Implementation
Health Groups Welcome ₦62bn TB Commodities Approval, Urge Swift Implementation
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Civil Society and Health Stakeholders have commended the Federal Government for approving ₦62 billion for the procurement of Tuberculosis (TB) commodities, while warning that delays could worsen shortages and lead to avoidable deaths.
In a statement, the group under the leadership of Mr. Isah Danssaallah
North West zonal coordinator, Civil Society for the eradication of tuberculosis in Nigeria (TB Network), praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the approval.
The group described the move as a landmark step to strengthen Nigeria’s TB response, reduce reliance on external donors, and support local manufacturing of essential anti-TB medicines.
“Nigeria has one of the highest TB burdens globally. This investment offers renewed hope to patients, healthcare workers, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders working tirelessly to end TB,” the statement said.
However, the group expressed concern over commodity shortages already being reported in health facilities nationwide.
It stated that any further delay in releasing funds, starting procurement, and distributing medicines could cause treatment interruptions, increased transmission, the emergence of drug-resistant TB, and loss of lives.
To prevent this, it called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and other implementing agencies to fast-track the process.
The stakeholders specifically urged authorities to release funds without administrative delays; expedite procurement using emergency public health procedures; address existing commodity gaps immediately; begin distribution to states and treatment centres once procurement is done; and provide regular implementation updates to ensure transparency.
“This approval is not only a financial commitment, it is a commitment to saving lives. Its true impact will be measured not by the amount approved, but by how quickly lifesaving medicines reach the patients who urgently need them,” the statement added.
According to the group “Every day of delay puts lives at risk. Every day of timely action saves lives.”
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