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NARD gives FG ultimatum to resolve lingering payment issues or face Nationwide chaos in health sector
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has warned of an imminent industrial disharmony in the health sector if the Federal Government fails to resolve the myriad of lingering CONMESS payment and other related issues affecting it’s members.
This was contained in a letter from NARD to the Munister of Health Dr. Ehanire Osagie and other key government Ministeries.
The Association stated that the warning was in view of an ultimatum issued to the Federal six months ago concerning lingering unresolved issues affecting it’s members which includes delay in the upward review if the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS,, review of Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, Outstanding payment of arrears of the new hazard allowance.
Other grievances include non payment of the skipping arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016, non-payment of the consequential adjustment of minimum wage to some of members.
Salary arrears of our members in State Tertiary Health Institutions running into several months, including Abia, Imo, Ondo, Ekiti and Gombe States, and non-domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) in most states across the Federation.
According to NARD these unresolved issues have now become sources of serious nationwide agitation threatening industrial peace and harmony in the health sector.
The Resident Doctors appealed to the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to resolve the issues bedeviling to health sector before it’s January 2023 National Executive Council Meeting slated for 24th to 28th or face an immediate Nationwide industrial disharmony in the health sector.
January 11, 2023
NUPRC distributes relief materials to flood victims in A’Ibom
By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has distributed relief materials to flood victims in Oil and Gas host communities in Akwa Ibom.
The Head, NUPRC Eket Office, Mr Etukudoh Williams who distributed the relief materials in Eket Local Council on Tuesday said that property worth millions of naira was destroyed during the period in Eket, Eastern Obollo, Mbo,Ibeno, Ikot Abasi and Nsit Ibom.
Williams said management approved the token which included mattresses, groundnut oil, blankets and rice for all the flood-impacted communities, as part of the commission’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative especially during the Yuletide.
“As we are all aware, the past few months have been difficult for many in the flood-affected communities.
It has been mixed feelings, despair and uncertainty in the minds of the flood victims, especially during yuletide when we were all celebrating in our homes with our families.
“Many have been dislocated in various parts of the country, as well as in our communities here in Akwa Ibom, property and means of livelihood has been destroyed due to the ravaging impact of the flood.” Williams said.
He commended the Federal Government, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Organised Private Sector for the support and assistance to the communities but added that more was still needed to be done to ameliorate the suffering of the victims.
Also speaking, chairmen of Eastern Obollo and Ikot Abasi Local Councils, Mr Abraham Odion and Mr Joshua Afia commended the commission for the laudable gesture, said that this would be the first of it’s kind to communities of flood victims in the state.
They promised that the relief materials would be shared judiciously to the affected victims in the state and requested more from the commission to the ravaged communities.
January 11, 2023
APP Wants DSS Boss’ Wife Arrested
The Action People’s Party (APP), on Monday demand arrest of the Director General of Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, following his wife’s alleged attack on the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State, Abba Yusuf.
APP national chairman, Uche Nnadi, made the call in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday.
Nnadi lamented that the continued stay in office of the DSS DG is a huge source of concern.
The statement said in recent accusations trailing the secret service agency in the past weeks, pose a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise of free and fair elections.

It recalled the discovery of a secret suit before an Abuja court, eventually thwarted, filed by the DSS seeking arrest of CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over trumped up allegation of terrorism financing

The statement also recalled attempt to get INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, sacked allegedly to prevent use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the forthcoming general elections.
According to the statement, these unwarranted attacks especially the alleged detention of the Kano NNPP governorship candidate, Abba Yusuf, on the orders of the DG’s wife, Aisha, and the attack on President of Middle Belt Youth Forum and PDP House of Assembly Candidate in Kogi State, Godwin Meliga, won’t be let go unpunished or ignored by political parties.
It insisted that the DG of DSS, Yusuf Bichi, should be arrested for his alleged involvement in the attack and detention of Kano gubernatorial candidate, as well as other recent alleged unlawful actions by the security agency.
January 10, 2023
2023: Ex-Adamawa Governor Dumps APC for PDP, Endorses Atiku
The immediate past Governor of Adamawa State Senator Jibrilla Bindow has pitched his tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is now backing Governor Umaru Fintiri’s re-election bid.
The former governor, who is a former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made this known to Governor Fintiri through a delegation of 250 leaders of his support groups.
Speaking at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yola on Monday, the leader of the delegation Abdullahi Bakari said the visit is on the directive of their principal.
According to the leader, the former governor has asked them to convey his appreciation to Governor Fintiri for ensuring the completion of projects he inherited across the state.
They are also throwing their weight behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who they say has been a leader to them over the years and therefore needs their support for his presidential bid.
January 10, 2023
Why We Issued Query To Ohinoyi of Egbiraland – Kogi Govt
Kogi State government has explained the reason behind the query it issued to the Ohinoyi of Egbiraland land, His Royal Majesty, Dr Ado Ibrahim.
Recall that the state government issued a query letter to the Ohinoyi last week for failing to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari last month when he visited the state.
President Buhari was in the state to commission some projects including a new palace for the monarch but he was absent during the ceremony.
A bomb planted by suspected ISWAP members also went up a few minutes before the president’s arrival.
The monarch was queried in a letter dated 5 January and signed by Enimola Eniola, a director at the Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs Ministry.
Offering new insight into the issue, the state local government and chieftaincy affairs commissioner, Salami Ozi – Deedat, said he personally persuaded the monarch to attend the commissioning but the monarch refused.
The commissioner also said the query given to the Ohinoyi should have remained an official affair but the monarch went ahead to make it public by leaking it to the press.
Deedat said the palace was remodelled by the state government with the monarch’s consent.
He said the monarch, though living in his own house, should have gone to the official palace to receive the president as arranged.
“Albeit, the current Ohinoyl of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty, Alh. Dr Ado Ibrahim CON opted, on his own, to stay in his personal house and use it as a palace, that does not erase the fact that there is an official palace built over the years for Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, it was for this reason that when the idea to reconstruct the palace to make it befitting for the revered stool of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was muted, he (Ohinoyi of Ebirailand) was sufficiently consulted and he gave his consent.
“Upon the completion of the project which has received a commendation from far and wide and the date for the commissioning by the President was approved and announced, I personally paid a visit to Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and I duly informed him of the programme of the event. Although he responded negatively that he would not attend, I persuaded and entreated him to kindly attend in view of the importance of the project and especially the personality of the President that would commission the project,” he said.
Deedat said despite his persuasion, the monarch refused to come out because of “a deliberate act of disloyalty and insubordination to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Executive Governor of Kogi State.”
He said other monarchs, including the president of the council of chiefs in the state, The Attah Igala, Mathew Alaji – Opaluwa, from the West and East Senatorial zones, were present to receive the President
“It is therefore left for the public to judge if it was fair and appropriate for His Royal Majesty, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, whose private residence is a few meters away from the venue of the commissioning of the palace and being the principal beneficiary of the project to stay put in his house while all the Graded Chiefs within the Central Senatorial District were present in solidarity with him to honour and receive the President,” he said.
Deedat said the state government would handle the issue objectively.
“Let the general public be rest assured that Government will handle this Matter with utmost objectivity devoid of any sentiment. The panel that will be set up to look into the matter will be dispassionate, diligent and rational and will ensure fairness, equity and justice,” Mr Deedat added.
January 10, 2023
Boko Haram: I Have Fulfilled My Promise – Buhari Boasts
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday night in Damaturu, Yobe State, said his administration has fulfilled its promise on the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists that have ravaged the country for the past decade.
The President, who recalled his experience leading the country in the last seven and a half years, while speaking at a State Banquet, organised in his honour after commissioning a number of projects in the state,
Buhari in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, restated his vow to serve God and Nigeria until his last day in office and beyond.
He advised Nigerians to remain patriotic, saying ‘‘as I said more than 30 years ago, we have no other country than Nigeria, we must all stay here and salvage it together.’’
Noting that the most critical security challenge inherited by the administration nearly eight years ago was the potent and pervasive threat of terrorism.
The President expressed delight that normalcy has returned to affected states in Northeast Nigeria.
He, therefore, declared that he has fulfilled the commitment made to Nigerians in his May 29, 2015 inaugural address to frontally and courageously tackle Boko Haram terrorists and stabilize the country.
‘‘In the Northeast, God has helped us to clear Boko Haram, the economy has picked up and some people are asking me about the achievements of my promise to fight corruption.
‘‘Well, under this system, fighting corruption is not easy. When I was in the military, as Head of State, I locked up some people because the Constitution says you must declare your assets and people who couldn’t explain the differences in their assets, I locked them up.
‘‘In the end, I was also locked up. So, if you want to serve this country you must be prepared for the worst. But one thing that I am grateful to God for is that nobody can blackmail me. I do not have one-square inch outside Nigeria and I intend to stay in Nigeria when I retire from public office”, he said.
He also reflect on his journey to the Presidency and re-election, the President said ‘‘between 2003 and 2019, I visited all the local government areas in this country. In 2019 when I attempted re-election, I visited every State and the number of people that came out to see who this Buhari is and was is more than what anybody can pay or force.
‘‘So, I thank God that Nigerians understood me and I made a promise that I will serve God and Nigerians”, he said.
President Buhari commended Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State for taking advantage of the return of peace and security in the State to execute people-oriented projects.
Describing the governor as very competent and courageous, the President said he was lucky to have him in the saddle as the political leader in the State, supporting the federal efforts to decimate Boko Haram, the terrorist group.
The President also acknowledged the cooperation of Nigeria’s neighbours in the fight against insurgency, recalling that his first visit outside the country in 2015 was to Niger and Chad, to garner support on tackling the misguided sect.
January 10, 2023
New Emirates Rooted In Popular Support, APC Replies NNPP Guber Candidate
By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.
Kano state government has said that the renewal of avowal by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) gubernatorial candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf to sack the new Emirates if elected, will mean that he has to deal with the law establishing the new Emirates and the popular decision of the people.
The state commissioner for information and internal affairs/spokesperson, Gawuna/Garo Campaign Council, Malam Muhammad Garba, said in a statement, that due process was followed through the enactment of laws by the state House of Assembly, which have to be reversed.
“It remains to be seen how an exercise backed by relevant laws and popular support which saw the creation of new Emirates and First Class Emirs could just be reversed overnight for political motives,” he wondered.
Malam Garba pointed out that just as the creation of states and local governments, the new Emirates are adding value to the overall development of the state as stakeholders as the laws establishing them have clearly spelt out their functions.
The commissioner stated that the creation of the new domains which is long overdue, has brought about unprecedented physical, socio-economic and cultural development in the areas.
He added that the new Emirates, which are enjoying the full support of the people, are more of injecting some semblance of people participation in their socio-economic development through traditional institution.
Malam Garba further explained that the exercise was also part of the government’s decision to support the development of mini cities to complement the emergence of Kano as Mega City.
January 10, 2023
Bandits kill 7 NSCDC Officers in Kaduna
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed that seven of its personnel were ambushed and killed at Kuriga mining site in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The NSCDC Director of Public Relations, Mr Olusola Odumosu, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, January 10, in Abuja, said that five other operatives from a sister security agency and local vigilance group were also killed in the attack.
“The personnel who were attached to the Kaduna State Ministry of Mines were ambushed and killed by bandits while on official duty at a mining site in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State,” the statement read.
“The sad incidence took place on Monday 9th of January 2023, at about 10.00hrs at the Kuriga mining site in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State.
“After the attack, the bandits carted away riffles of the slain operatives and the remains of the slain officers and men have been recovered and deposited at the Barau Diko Hospital Kaduna.
“The Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, described the unfortunate incident as a big loss to the Corps, families of the slain victims and the nation.
“He commiserates with the families and friends of the deceased and prays that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
“In honour of the slain personnel, the CG has directed that the Corps’ flag be hoisted at half-mast and that a national prayer involving both Christians and muslims be organized at the Corps National headquarters, Abuja, to pray for Gods protection for all officers and men of the Corps in the new year and avert a recurrence of such awful incident.”
January 10, 2023
ODA Woo Investors To Ogbabede Community In Kogi
From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The National President of Ogbabede Development Association (ODA), Surveyor Isaac Agbanwu has called on the Investors within and outside Nigeria to come and invest in Ogbabede land.
Surveyor Isaac Agbanwu who made this call at Abuja during a media pally with journalists said, Ogbabede has abundant mineral resources, vast land suitable for Agriculture and fertile to grow both cash and Economic Crops.
He therefore appealed to Investors who wish to seek for further enquiry about investing in Ogbabede land to channel it through the official email of the Association:
ogbabedeassociation@gmail.com
He pointed out that the Obicha of Ogbabede, Gagos and Madakis of the area are on ground to provide the necessary machineries and security that could enhance their working condition while in Ogbabede land.
The President further disclosed that the association has made all necessary arrangements to complement government efforts by providing enabling environment for investors.
He said investors identities and investment worth shall be entered into the memorandum of understanding with the Association
which according to him is necessary to be guided by the law.
In the same vein, the Association has Granted Automatic Scholarship For Tertiary Institution Applicants from Ogbabede Community
Briefing newsman shortly after his election, Surveyor Isaac Agbanwu, who also doubles as the Proprietor of PEMGO College of Business and Management Studies, said scholarship would be given to the Students of the area who distinguished themselves in an inter-house competition organized within the secondary schools in Ogbabede ward.
Agbanwu explained that the idea behind the initiative is to give youths of the area educational empowerment that would make them desist from the temptation of involving themselves in criminal activities such as thuggery, hooliganism and other social vices.
The President revealed that the committee on Education led by Elder Francis Ojoh is already working out modalities when and how the said Scholarship would be determined through an Inter-house competition.
He also promised that Applicants of the area seeking for an admission into PEMGO College of Business and Management Studies would be given special attention.
He went further to announce that prospective applicants who are seeking for Admission into the mentioned school are directed to call any of the following numbers: 07049364803, 08069602055 or 08183978400.
Surveyor Isaac Agbanwu is the President of ODA and Proprietor of PEMGO College of Business and Management Studies with government’s approval located at Orozo, the subburd of Abuja in Nasarawa State.
January 10, 2023
Fuel Importation Will End By 2024 – Timipre Sylva
The federal government has announced that fuel importation would end in the country by 2024.
Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva made the announcement on Monday, January 9.
Presenting the scorecard of his ministry, Sylva said by the first quarter of 2024, the rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt refinery would be partly completed while the 650,000 barrel per day (bpd) capacity Dangote Refinery would also be on stream in addition to several modular refineries projects in the country.
He assured Nigerians that fuel importation will end with the combined production of the Port-Harcourt refinery, Dangote refinery and the modular refineries.
Sylva further revealed that the federal government deliberately took 20 per cent equity stake in the Dangote Refinery to ensure local supply of the productions by the private refineries.
He also said the federal government took 30 per cent equity stake in each of the 5000bpd WalterSmith modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo state and 10,000 bpd Duport Modular Refinery in Edo state among others.
Stressing that the federal government is addressing the challenge of access to crude oil being faced by the modular refineries, the Minister added that the position of the federal government that subsidy regine was no longer sustainable.
Sylva who stated that the removal of subsidy would attract more investment into the petroleum sector as many private people would be willing to invest in building refineries, also assured Nigerians that the huge fund being spent on subsidy would be deployed to other developmental projects.
January 10, 2023