Nigeria’s National Association of Resident Doctors says it may call off its strike on Saturday after meeting with federal government representatives in Abuja.
The meeting, which lasted for over six hours, sought to address area of concerns which led to the strike which doctors embarked upon on April 1.
Expressing satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, NARD’s National President, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi however said the association cannot call off the strike until after consultations with its executive council.
He however stated that the strike, would hopefully be called off by Saturday.
After the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said a five-person committee has been set up to look into some of the doctors’ demands.
The committee is expected to look at the non-payment of House Officers’ salaries within 72 hours and produce a valid list to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, through the Federal Ministry of Health.
The committee includes NARD’s National President, Secretary-General of the Nigerian Medical Association, and one representative each from the Ministries of Labour and Health.
Other issues the meeting considered are abolishment of the bench fees, residency training allowance, group life insurance payment and payment of residents on GIFMIS platform.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has launched an ambitious programme by the Federal to supply electricity to 25 million Nigerians through Solar Home System, SMS.
The Solar Power Naija Programme plans to roll out five new connections in off-grid communities across the country.
Speaking at the launch of the 100,000 Solar Home System in Jangefe community, Kazuare Emirate, Jigawa State, Prof. Osinbajo said government was determined to bring power to unserved communities as part of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan of the President Muhammdu Buhari’s administration.
He explained that the project which would be financed by a N140 billion fund would be paid for by the beneficiaries. He however noted that the government will be providing $200 million in subsidy to support the programme.
Nigeria’s acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, as Force Secretary and member of the Force Management Team.
He also reappointed a Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, and Acting Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa as the Force Public Relations Officer and Principal Staff Officer to the IGP respectively.
Frank Mba, who disclosed the developments in a statement on Friday, noted that the appointments and postings of the senior police officers and personal aides were with immediate effect.
Mba was re-appointed as the Force spokesman for the third time while Owohunwa’s reappointment also made it the third time he would hold the position as the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP.
Similarly, Baba ordered the posting of some personal aides, including a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Idris Abubakar, as the PSO II to the IGP.
Also, the new force secretary takes over from AIG Mustapha Dandaura who has been redeployed to Zone-7 Police Headquarters in Abuja.
The senior police officers have been urged to bring their professionalism to bear to assist the IGP and his management team in developing and implementing strategic policing policies and plans.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said it will build a gas-powered plant in Maiduguri, North-East Borno State to address challenges in electricity supply to the area caused by incessant Boko Haram attacks.
NNPC Group Managing Director (GMD), Mr. Mele Kyari disclosed this on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Borno governor at the Maiduguri Government House.
Mele who led other officials of the corporation, said such project was in line with the president’s cardinal principle to deepen gas consumption in the country.
He said the NNPC and its partners have discussed and decided to establish a dedicated power plant in Maiduguri to “serve the current need and potential supply of gas power to neigbouring cities and border countries like Niger republic.”
The state Governor, Babagana Zulum said the visit of NNPC and its partners can change the entire narrative of the state.
He commended the GMD for the various reforms he introduced at the NNPC.
Former President of the Senate Bukola Saraki has advised Nigeria to find solution to kidnapping through collaborate with countries that had successfully tackled the menace.
He urged the country to learn from these successful countries’ experiences and measures adopted in addressing it.
Saraki gave the advice on Friday during a webinar on the maiden edition of the Grow Nigeria Conversation (GNC), monitored in Abuja.
The webinar was titled: ‘Reversing the Flourishing Economy of Kidnapping and Banditry: Immediate and long-term solutions’.
The event was organised in partnership with The African Political Institute (TAPI) and Adopt A Goal for Development Initiative. Saraki, who was the convener of the dialogue series, said though kidnaping was not new in Nigeria, the current trend of kidnapping for ransom, without any ideology was worrisome.
“It bears stating that kidnapping is not uncommon global phenomenon. Other countries, in the course of their respective histories, experienced similar problems.
“Nigeria can and should definitely learn from such nations as have successfully combated this form of insecurity.
Saraki, who was the convener of the dialogue series, said though kidnaping was not new in Nigeria, the current trend of kidnapping for ransom, without any ideology was worrisome.
“It bears stating that kidnapping is not uncommon global phenomenon. Other countries, in the course of their respective histories, experienced similar problems.
“Nigeria can and should definitely learn from such nations as have successfully combated this form of insecurity.
“There is no need to reinvent the wheel in this regard. This is why my first contribution to today’s discussion is to ask the question:
“Why can’t Nigeria reach out to this countries, which had experienced the same problem, and they have successfully managed it, so that we can learn for what they did or stop doing to solve or reduce a problem?
“I remember in the 70s and 80s, Pakistan, for example, used to experiences large number of cases of kidnapping, we can learn from the experience and how they dealt with this problem,” Saraki said.
The former Senate president also called on youths, especially those with vast skills in Information and Technology (IT) to help deploy their knowledge toward addressing the challenge.
“It would be interesting if some of our experts, particularly our youth, who are participating in this discussion, especially the IT gurus, to tell us why in today’s world, the problem is not tackled.
“It baffles people like myself, that in today’s world with the use of satellite and telecommunication, how is it possible that people can get kidnapped and we are not able to locate where they are for days and weeks?
“Also, how is it possible that a huge amount of money can be paid as ransom in cash and cannot be traced?
“Are we saying that they’re not monetary policies that can be put in place that would deter people from having to be in such possession of such huge amount of cash,” he said.
He also stressed the need to address the challenge of human resources and deployment in the country’s security architecture.
Saraki expressed optimism that the outcome of the webinar would help in solving the country’s security challenges.
He pledged that the recommendations would be sent to relevant stakeholders for implementation, including government agencies and CSOs.
Saraki noted that the platform was conceived as a nonpartisan solution driven and real time dialogue series.
Medical Experts have called on the Federal Government to exercise caution in forcing the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on Nigerians because of its deadly effects on lots of people that have been vaccinated in other countries.
Dr. Emeke Eze, a Virologist and consultant in special disease gave the warning on Focus Nigeria, an AIT programme where he explained that several countries have suspended the use of the vaccine after repprted cases of blood clots, and some deaths after getting the vaccine.
He referenced Australia, and the Philippines and some countries who recently joined the list of those who suspended the use of the vaccine because of the side effects.
He said the drug is a new substance, and there are lots of protocols that should be observed in testing before it is used on humans.
Dr. Eze added that he’s not against vaccination, but insisted on caution and restraint as the protocols needed to develop a vaccine for humans were not followed in the development of these Covid-19 vaccines.
He pointed out that the manufacturers have made sure that they cannot be sued for any resulting side-effects that may arise as a result of the vaccines making sure the burden of liability is on the governments of countries who procure the vaccine.
He added that without the vaccines, most people contracting the virus would not require hospitalization as eventually people would develop immunity against the virus.
Jose Mourinho has claimed he will resist the temptation to discuss Manchester United’s prolific threat from the penalty spot with his Tottenham players.
United travel to face Spurs tomorrow having been awarded nine penalties in 30 Premier League games this season, scoring eight. Only Leicester have been awarded more, 10.
Bruno Fernandes scored his 11th penalty of the season in all competitions as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team won 2-0 at Granada in the first leg of their Europa League quarter final on Thursday.
“I cannot go to a football match concerned, I can’t,” said Spurs boss Mourinho when asked about United’s penalty threat. “I don’t think it’s the right frame of mind to go to a football match concerned. So I’m not going concerned. And I don’t want my players to be.
“They have to go to a football match with positive feelings, enjoying the game, enjoying the dimension and the difficulty of the game. Coping with the responsibility. Coping with the pressure, good pressure. So that’s what I want.
Barcelona head into the game two points ahead of Real Madrid and aiming to keep the pressure on leaders Atletico. Only three points separate the top three as we head towards the run-in, and tonight’s game could go a long way to deciding where title ends up at the end of the season.
Atletico’s loss away to Sevilla last weekend has blown the Spanish title race wide open. For the first time in more than three months,
The Catalans depend on their own results to be crowned La Liga champions. They travel to the Spanish capital unbeaten in 19 league games; win their remaining nine fixtures and they will finish top for the first time in two years.
With Atletico not in action until tomorrow night, Barcelona will overtake the long-time leaders by avoiding defeat against Los Blancos.
The Catalan giants warmed up for this contest with a 1-0 triumph over Real Valladolid on Monday evening, the decisive goal coming from Ousmane Dembele during the closing stages.
Real Madrid are also playing with belief and real momentum. Zinedine Zidane’s side are flying high after their comprehensive 3-1 victory over Liverpool in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), parent company of the Ecobank Group, has announced the appointment of Tomisin Fashina as its new Group Executive for Operations & Technology, a position he will now hold in addition to his existing role of Managing Director of eProcess International.
Ade Ayeyemi, CEO Ecobank Group said: “The rapidly accelerating digital adoption by Africa’s citizenry and businesses, together with the explosion in ecommerce across the continent, is driving transformation throughout the banking and payment sectors. Winning across operations and technology is essential for the Ecobank Group’s short, medium and long-term success, and is an integral requirement of our ongoing determination to continue to meet the evolving expectations of our customers. Tomisin is well experienced to ensure this, and his new role provides him with an overarching view of our operations and technology functions.”
The statement signed by Adenike Laoye Group Head Corporate Communications/ Chief of Staff to the Group Chief Executive Officer and distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ecobank said; “Tomisin has over 30 years of experience, predominantly in technology management and financial services. Before joining the Ecobank Group, Tomisin was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Steward Bank Harare Zimbabwe.
He has also been Chief Executive Officer for Yookos, a social media company, and has held several positions at Barclays Bank, including General Manager & Head, Transactional Banking Products, and Channels Management and Director, Cash Management & Payments.”
The statement added: “Prior to this, at Citigroup South Africa, he held leadership roles in its Global Transaction Services as Division Head & Director, Client Delivery, sub-Saharan Africa; and Division Head, Electronic Banking & Implementation, sub-Saharan Africa.
Tomisin has a BSc degree in Computer Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Lagos and a PhD in Business Management in Leadership from Capella University, Minnesota, USA.
Dr. Fashina succeeds Eddy Ogbogu as Group Executive, Operations & Technology, following Eddy’s recent retirement after serving the Group for 11 years.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
