SignatureTV News Update: Striking Medical doctors give conditions for returning to work
Striking Medical doctors give conditions for returning to work
The President of the National Association of Resident Doctor, NARD, Dr Okhuasihesuyi Uyilawa, has called on the Federal Government to honor the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the association on March 9, 2021, insisting that only a favorable response to their demands would make them call off the ongoing national strike.
Uyilawa stated this in an interview with Signature TV in Abuja at the weekend
Responding to the statement by the Minister of Labor and Employment that Nine Point Three Billion Naira was released to pay the death in service insurance, Uyilawa stated that none of the striking doctors has been paid or contacted in that regard
Uyilawa lamented the shortage of doctors in Nigeria’s health facilities as most of them have travelled abroad to continue with their careers, adding that the few available should be adequately rewarded
The Minister of Labor and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige had accused the association of not notifying the ministry before embarking on the strike and that most of their demands were state governments’ responsibilities.
Uyilawa however said the association gave the minister four weeks’ notice before embarking on the industrial action, adding that all the issues raised are Federal Government responsibilities and not those of the states as alleged by the Federal Government. #
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a committee to immediately commence the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The steering committee, which has 12 months duration for its assignment, is headed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
President Buhari gave the approval on Wednesday while giving a remark on the Act which he assented to two days ago.
He spoke during a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly led by the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
In a statement by the President’s spokesman, Femi Adesina President Buhari regretted that the lack of political will has hampered the growth of the industry, adding that the country has lost about $50 billion in the last 10 years.
However, the President is hopeful that the new Act will coordinate the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and reposition it for further progress.
The committee has as members Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), as well as representatives of the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Natural Resources, Olufemi Lijadu, is the External Legal Adviser, while the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) will serve as Head of the Coordinating Secretariat and the Implementation Working Group. #
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has warned against any rush to bail suspects of the August 14 killings on Rukuba Road in Jos, and other attacks in the state.
The governor spoke on Tuesday at an emergency peace and security stakeholders meeting held in Jos.
At the meeting, Lalong also decried the misuse of the social media to worsen an already bad situation through the massive spread of fake and unsubstantiated videos and messages.
He urged religious leaders and other stakeholders’ not to incite their followers with their sermons or comment on insecurity, noting that they (clerics) were also guided by the constitution. #
The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC has charged broadcasters and media owners with using their platforms to help the country win the war on insecurity.
This request was made by Balarabe illela, the commission’s new Director General, during a meeting with the Chief Executives of media houses in South West, Nigeria.
He enjoined all the executives to use their medium to fight insecurity while ensuring that the content does not jeopardize national security.
Speaking on the impact of broadcast coverage on national security, the Director of Public Relations for the Nigerian Air Force, Edward Gabkwet, requested the media’s assistance in safeguarding the nation’s security. #
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned a Dean in the University of Calabar, Professor Francisca Bassey, for alleged involvement in a N20.6 million Naira contract fraud.
Bassey, who is the Dean and Director of the Pre-Degree Programme of the university, was arraigned before the Cross-River State High Court six, Calabar, by the commission for allegedly having private interests in multiple contracts awarded by the school to four companies owned by her.
The commission, in a 10-count charge filed before Justice Elias Abua, noted that the alleged crime occurred between 2013 and 2017, in violation of section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In a statement on Wednesday, ICPC’s Spokesman, Azuka Ogugua said that charges against the don revealed that Bassey at different times benefited from a series of contracts totalling over 20 million Naira.
The accused however entered a not guilty plea when the charge was read to her, as her counsel, Joseph Oloku, filed a bail application praying the court to admit her to bail on self-recognition.
The presiding judge granted her bail in the sum of N5million Naira with one surety in like sum, adding that the surety must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
The matter has been adjourned to October 11 and 12 for trial. #
IN BUSINESS
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned Nigerians against abusing naira notes, especially at social gatherings.
Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the apex bank, Osita Nwanisobi, gave the warning in a statement on Tuesday.
He noted that the abuse of legal tender is common during social gatherings such as birthdays, weddings, and funerals where people spray naira notes to rejoice with celebrants.
According to him, the apex bank is collaborating with the Nigeria Police, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to tackle the trend.
The CBN spokesman, therefore, warned Nigerians, especially those at social functions to desist from disrespecting the naira or risk being arrested by law enforcement agencies.
He described naira notes as Nigeria’s legal tender and symbol of national pride that must be respected and handled with care. #
ON THE FOREIGN SCENE
As Afghanistan descends into chaos following the withdrawal of American troops from that country, the country’s refugee problem is worsening.
Decades of conflict has before now led to hundreds of thousands of Afghans seeking refuge in neighboring countries and elsewhere.
Many families crossed the borders with Pakistan and Iran, where they have made new homes and remain to this day.
According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), at the end of last year, one million, four hundred and thirty-five thousand, four hundred and forty-five Afghans were living in Pakistan. The majority – 69% – were staying in urban areas.
Iran, meanwhile, is home to about seven hundred and eighty thousand Afghans, the UNHCR says.
While Pakistan largely allows refugees to mix with local populations, Iran often confines refugees to camps, the organisation adds. #
In sports
Team Nigeria athletes had great outings on Day One of the Under-20 World Athletics Championships on Wednesday as quarter-miler Imaobong Nse Uko and the mixed 4x400m relay team qualified for the final.
In the women’s 400meters race, Imaobong ran the fastest time of the three heats to qualify for the final on Saturday.
The 17-year-old, who was part of the mixed 4x400m relay team to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, ran a time of 52.33secs to claim victory in Heat 3.
Just like Imaobong, the mixed 4x400m team also ran the fastest time in the two heats to qualify for the final.
The quartet Johnson Nnamani, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Opeyemi Oke and Bamidele Ajayi ran a national record time of 3:21.66 to claim Heat 2.
In the men’s 100m, Godson Oghenebrume was the only Nigerian through to the semi-final later which took place a few hours ago. We will bring you an update on the race later.
