NARD disclosed this in a communiqué signed by its President, Dr. Tope Osundara; the General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and the Social Secretary, Omoha Amobi, issued after its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, which was held virtually.
“The E-NEC expressed displeasure over the unjust downgrading of the membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, as well as the persistent non-issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
“The E-NEC condemned in strong terms the failure of the Kaduna State Government to honour its commitments to members under ARD Kaduna and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, despite earlier agreements and signed Memoranda of Understanding. The E-NEC condemned the failure of the Oyo State Government to address the challenges faced by members of ARD LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, despite an ongoing indefinite strike action in the hospital,” it noted.
“After thorough deliberations and by majority resolution, the congress has agreed to grant a grace period of three weeks, during which formal notifications will be sent to relevant stakeholders, including the Oyo State Government and Hospital Management, a bid to encourage prompt action on these unresolved issues.
“Kindly note that failure to meet the outlined demands by the 29th of July, 2025 will result in the commencement of total and indefinite industrial action. We trust in your responsiveness and look forward to swift, positive outcome.”
In a statement to commemorate the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System’s 70 years anniversary, the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said cases of seasonal influenza were responsible for up to 650,000 influenza-related respiratory deaths globally.
According to the WHO DG, “Influenza is a serious global health problem that impacts all countries: every year, there are an estimated one billion cases of seasonal influenza causing three to five million severe cases including up to 650 000 influenza-related respiratory deaths globally.
“Moreover, new influenza viruses are constantly emerging – these can cause pandemics that lead to widespread societal disruption and millions of deaths.
“Influenza viruses constantly evolve into new variants and spread rapidly, similar to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.”
“Founded in 1952, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, or GISRS, is celebrating 70 years of success as a worldwide network founded to protect people from the threat of influenza, reviewing its added value to other respiratory virus threats including COVID-19, and setting its sights to the future.
“GISRS is a proved global network that has provided a first line of defence against influenza for 70 years,” Ghebreyesus added.
The FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, issued the deadline in a circular dated January 10.
The circular was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, all Mandate Secretaries, Coordinators of AMMC, STDD as well as Heads of all Departments and FCTA Agencies.
Adesola said the directive was in line with the one issued earlier by the federal government to all staff on grade level 12 and below that were resuming duty after they were asked to work from home during the COVID-19 lockdown.
He warned that persistent non-compliance or refusal by staff to be vaccinated would be treated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules.
The Permanent Secretary said all workers were required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours on a continuous basis as part of measures to curtail the spread of the pandemic.
Visitors and clients alike are also affected by the directive as they are required to comply with the directive.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha which was made available to journalists in Abuja.
Crossover services are significant events held majorly in churches on the night of December 31 every year to usher in the New Year.
It is a time when religious organisations, especially Christians, gather to pray and worship their Maker for the gift of a New Year. Customarily, the services begin a few hours before midnight and end some minutes after, depending on the denomination.
The statement reads in part, “The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 recognizes the importance of the Christmas and New Year celebrations for most Nigerians. As we prepare to celebrate with our families and loved ones, it is important that we do so safely by taking the necessary precautionary measures to stop the further spread of COVID-19 in our country.
“The PSC wishes to remind Nigerians that we are now experiencing the 4th wave COVID19 as new cases have continued to rise in the country. This is the result of a mix of very low vaccination coverage, increased travels and movements, reduced compliance to public health social measures and highly transmissible Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant now circulating in the country.
The statement further reads, “Indoor religious congregation should be limited to 50% capacity with full compliance to public health social measures; face masks and hand sanitisers should be used at all times regardless of vaccination status while in public spaces.
“Families are advised to limit the number of visitors to their homes and put in place precautionary safety measures. Any gathering in the excess of 50 people should be done in open spaces with physical distancing.
“Avoid non-essential interstate travel at this period as this increases the risk of spreading infection from one place to another. People who intend to travel are encouraged to take a rapid COVID-19 test to confirm status as many infected persons are asymptomatic.
“Ensure that you have taken the full dose of COVID-19 vaccination including the booster dose to reduce your risk of severe infection and death in case of exposure to COVID-19.”
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control gave the advice in its latest COVID-19 situation report obtained by newsmen as the Lagos State Government vowed to get tough with violators of compulsory tests for international inbound passengers.
They stated this as COVID-19 cases in the country increased by 761.45 per cent within two weeks.
Amid the surging cases, the NCDC advised Nigerians on non-essential international and local travels during the festive period.
According to the NCDC, the omicron may also lead to several other mutations.
It said, “The spread of COVID-19 variants of concern including the Omicron variant may lead to a surge in cases globally due to mutations which could give the SARS-CoV-2 virus a specific advantage such as increased transmissibility, possibility of more severe illness or evasion of tests currently used for the detection of COVID-19.
“Importantly, this holiday season, we advise everyone to avoid non-essential travel, both international and national while research is ongoing to better understand Omicron and its impact on the national and global response to COVID-19.”
The National Leader of All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, stated this at a welcome-back event held in his honour at the State House in Marina, Lagos.
“I’m a little emotional now but I’m happy. God is the Giver of life and the only One who can take life. And He (God) says; if I grant you power and the privilege in this life; I am the only One who can take it from you if you don’t use it in the way and manner that promotes humanity. God can give power to anyone he wills.
“It is the same God that has spared us till today and has given us the privilege. I give glory to God, because I’m standing before you hale, hearty and well. Today is a day of joy for me, having fixed today for this great event. We are here giving praises to God. May God bless all of you in attendance. I am grateful. I cannot say more than that today. Thank you all,” Tinubu announced to his political protégés at the event.
“I’m a little emotional now but I’m happy. God is the Giver of life and the only One who can take life. And He (God) says; if I grant you power and the privilege in this life; I am the only One who can take it from you if you don’t use it in the way and manner that promotes humanity. God can give power to anyone he wills.
“It is the same God that has spared us till today and has given us the privilege. I give glory to God, because I’m standing before you hale, hearty and well. Today is a day of joy for me, having fixed today for this great event. We are here giving praises to God. May God bless all of you in attendance. I am grateful. I cannot say more than that today. Thank you all,” Tinubu announced to his political protégés at the event.
All Progressives Congress chieftain, Bola Tinubu said this while addressing members of the House of Representatives northern caucus that visited him in London.
Addressing the gathering, Tinubu who was dressed in kaftan and a red cap said, “Because of God and people like you, I am well. It is just the physio (physiotherapy) that is gruesome.”
Since his departure, Tinubu’s London home has become a Mecca of sorts as he has been visited by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).
His prolonged stay abroad has, however, drawn criticism from a section of Nigerians who believe he ought to have stayed in the country to receive treatment.
The Federal Government has said it has not received any official communication from resident doctors on their minimum demands for an end of their 56-day old strike.
The government however, assured that it would make its position known to the doctors once it received such communication from the striking doctors’ umbrella body, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
When contacted by newsmen, Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said” “We have not gotten that (the 72-hour ultimatum). We have not received their new demands. Let them write their employers, the Minister of Health. Let them also write me.
“We have not seen all those demands. When we see their demands we will then have an answer if it is true.
“They normally send me the communique of their meeting. When we see it we will respond.”
He aid this when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
Ngige said, “I want to appeal to NARD for them to reconsider their position, get back to work tomorrow or next and then come back again for discussions. We have so many things to discuss,” Ngige said.
“I have nephews who are resident doctors. I have three of them at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, UNTH Enugu, Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. I have so many of them. I have a son who will graduate in Medicine in October. I cannot destroy the profession, I have to protect the profession too.
“The court has ruled and said ‘Go and do some more settlement but meanwhile, you go back to work and continue the settlement’.”
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