Ondo NMA worries over shortage of resident doctors.

Ondo NMA worries over shortage of resident doctors.

The Ondo State Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association has called on the state government to address the issue of shortage of resident doctors in state-owned hospitals .

The association said many of the doctors in the state had left for foreign countries for greener pasture, while some who were still in Nigeria had left the state for another state.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of meeting of the association.

The state Chairman of the NMA, Dr Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe, made the communique available on Friday.

According to the communique, the state had only 22 resident doctors out of 150 in the previous years as a result of the purported exodus of the doctors.

The communique read in part, “There is dire shortage of health personnel in the state. Doctors have refused to take up employment with Ondo state government.

“It was also observed that numerous doctors within the Ondo State Civil Service left for greener pastures locally (neighbouring states such as Osun, Lagos , Ekiti, Kwara, Delta) and internationally, African Countries: Sierra Leone, Gambia, South Africa, etc and outside the continent: United States of America , Canada, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Germany etc).

“As at the time of writing this communiqué, there are only 22 resident doctors at UNIMEDTHC compared to the previous figure of 150 resident doctors."

Sacked Kaduna Speaker regains position after re-election.

Sacked Kaduna Speaker regains position after re-election.

Following his electoral victory at Saturday’s bye-election in the state, the sacked Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, has been re-elected the Speaker of the state assembly.

At Saturday’s re-run election, Liman, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress candidate, scored 18,068 votes to defeat Solomon Katuka of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 17,404 votes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Kaduna went ahead on Wednesday to present Certificates of Return to the former Speaker and those who emerged winners of Saturday’s re-run polls and by-election in the state.

Other lawmakers who received their Certificates of Return were Haruna Barnabas (APC, Chawai State Constituency), Jesse Tanko (APC, Chikun State Constituency), and Nura Likoro (PDP, Kudan State Constituency).

Shortly after the swearing-in, the former Speaker was nominated and unanimously elected as the new speaker of the state House of Assembly.

The election took place during a plenary session where Liman, alongside three other members who triumphed in the recent Saturday by-election were sworn-in.

Liman while addressing his colleagues, appreciated them for the trust and support accorded by the lawmakers.

The new Speaker also pledged to collaborate with the executive arm of government for the growth and development of democracy and the state.

“Let us reaffirm our dedication to democracy, justice, and progress. Let us remember the power bestowed upon us by the people of Kaduna comes with a profound responsibility to uphold their interests and aspirations at all times,” he said.

Liman, who served as the speaker and represented Makera constituency in the state assembly, returned to his previous position in the house after his election was nullified by the appeal court in Abuja in November 2023.

The court’s decision led to a mandated rerun in five polling units within the Makera constituency.

Lagos begins payment of N3.1bn to pensioners.

Lagos begins payment of N3.1bn to pensioners.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state would disburse N3.1bn to over 1,000 retirees who served the state meritoriously starting from next week.

It was gathered that beneficiaries were under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Sanwo-Olu said the sacrifices of the pensioners had not gone unnoticed.

He added that the administration had disbursed over N60bn pension to 17,000 retirees.

The governor made this known, on Friday, via his X handle (@jidesanwoolu).

The tweet read, “I’m happy to share some news with you that I hope will put smiles on the faces of families. Next week, we’re set to disburse N3.1bn under the Contributory Pension Scheme to over 1,000 retirees who have served our state tirelessly. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.

“Prioritising the welfare of those who’ve shaped Lagos’ history is not just a commitment; it’s our legacy. Your trust is paramount, and together, we’re constructing a Lagos that champions its own.”

Sanwo-Olu appreciated the unwavering dedication of the retirees and workers in the state. Let’s keep building a stronger, caring Lagos together.

Recall that the Director-General of Lagos State Pension Commission, Babalola Obilana, in August 2023 disclosed that the state government paid N2.017bn as retirement benefits to 644 retirees at the 101st batch Retirement Bond Certificate presentation for retirees in the state.

EFCC declares Emefiele’s wife, three others wanted.

EFCC declares Emefiele’s wife, three others wanted.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday declared Margaret Dumbiri Emefiele, wife of embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele wanted.

Also declared wanted by the anti-graft agency were Eric Ocheme Odoh (m), Jonathan Omoile (m) and Anita Joy Omoile (f) for alleged for allegedly conniving with the immediate past CBN governor to convert “huge sums of money” belonging to the Federal Government.

The EFCC, in a public notice, also accused the wanted persons of committing felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretences and stealing, contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.”

It asked people with information on the whereabouts of the wanted persons to contact any of its offices or call 08093322644.

The former CBN governor is currently standing trial on 20-count amended charges bordering on conferment of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretences to the tune of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States Dollar ($6,230,000.00).

Tinubu Congratulates Fayemi On 59th Birthday.

Tinubu Congratulates Fayemi On 59th Birthday.

By Olamide Akinwumi.

President Bola Tinubu extends warm wishes to former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on his 59th birthday, celebrated on February 9, 2024.

Dr. Fayemi, a former Minister of Solid Minerals Development and recipient of the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), is renowned for his exemplary leadership and numerous accolades.

A stalwart leader with defining hallmarks, Dr. Fayemi has demonstrated remarkable leadership both in government and as a pro-democracy advocate over the years, notably serving as the former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum.

President Tinubu lauds Dr. Fayemi for his unwavering dedication to service and tireless pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of society.

As the former governor commemorates his birthday, the President extends wishes for continued prosperity, good health, and strength in the years ahead.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, relayed the President's message.

This heartfelt congratulatory message highlights the deep respect and admiration for Dr. Fayemi's contributions to governance and national development.

About 2 billion people watching 2023 AFCON — CAF president.

About 2 billion people watching 2023 AFCON — CAF president.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Patrice Motsepe, on Friday in Abidjan said about two billion people globally are watching the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

Motsepe disclosed this at a news conference, ahead of the AFCON final on Saturday.

He described the feat as an achievement that Africans should be proud of.

“We have had close to two billion people watching AFCON globally. We should be proud as Africans and the next one will be even better.

“The success of Africa depends upon Africa working together, trading together, and in football, countries competing and playing together,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organisation of the tournament has so far been top notch, with six beautiful stadia across five cities hosting the continental showpiece.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will lock horns with hosts Cote d’Ivoire in a block burster final on Sunday at the 60, 000 capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpé in the outskirts of Abidjan.

While the third-place match on Saturday between South Africa and DR Congo is slated for the iconic Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny also in Abidjan.

Infractions: LASEPA shuts 250 worship places, nightclubs, others.

Infractions: LASEPA shuts 250 worship places, nightclubs, others.

Lagos State Government has revealed that at least 250 organisations, including industries, worship places and night clubs have been sealed for noise pollution and other environmental infractions over the last three months across the metropolis.

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, said the action was part of efforts to achieve an improved, safer and sustainable environment in the state.

LASEPA General Manager, Babatunde Ajayi, disclosed this during the agency’s one-day capacity-building training for its accredited consultants across the state in conjunction with the Climate Transition Academy, held in the Central Business Development Area, Ikeja, Lagos.

Ajayi said LASEPA has embarked on a lot of reforms geared towards achieving a noiseless, cleaner, safer and pollution-free Lagos. He said that the training was to update the consultants’ knowledge of current trends in addressing global climate change challenges and other environmental problems for sustainable development.

Ajayi, therefore, charged the accredited consultants to support the state government’s bid to deliver a safer, healthier and sustainable environment through the adoption of Environment Social Governance (ESG) global model in tackling identified environmental challenges.

According to him; The training of LASEPA accredited consultants has become necessary so as to update their knowledge and increase their capacities in the application of the global standard model in managing environmental issues, especially climate change problem and their associated greenhouse gas emissions.

“In achieving our ministerial mandate, the agency would strengthen its enforcement measures to ensure compliance with government regulations towards achieving a cleaner and sustainable environment in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda of the state.”

Earlier, Executive Director, Carbon Limits Nigeria, James Ogunleye, who spoke on behalf of other facilitators, stated that the programme would help to expose LASEPA-accredited consultants and broaden their knowledge of current global practices in a sustainable environment.

Ogunleye, noted that there was a great departure from the old practice of consultants just knowing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Audit Report (EAR), and Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) to qualify as a consultant.