Nigeria Times

The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) in Nigeria has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address its outstanding demands or face another strike. The union’s leadership, including the national chairman and national secretary, made the announcement in a joint statement.

JOHESU criticized the government for failing to fulfill its commitments since June 2021, when a previous strike was suspended following President Bola Tinubu’s promise to intervene. The union’s key demands include the payment of COVID-19 hazard allowances for members, tax exemptions on healthcare workers’ allowances, and an immediate halt to plans for establishing a new agency to oversee activities in national health facilities.

The last JOHESU strike lasted from May 19 to June 6, 2023, nearly disrupting healthcare services in public hospitals before it ended with assurances from President Tinubu.

In a related development, primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have suspended their strike action. This decision follows a strike that began on September 18, 2024, due to unpaid wage arrears and other outstanding benefits.

Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas, the NUT Chairman in the FCT, announced the suspension after an emergency meeting where the union acknowledged renewed commitments from FCT Minister Nysome Wike. The minister instructed the treasury department to utilize a portion of the area council chairmen’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to facilitate the payment of the outstanding 60 percent wage arrears.

The NUT’s decision to suspend the strike reflects a positive engagement from the minister in addressing the teachers’ demands.

Dr. Emmanuel Ugwumba has been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command on charges of child trafficking and forgery in Udenu Local Government Area. The arrest, confirmed on Wednesday by Public Relations Officer Daniel Ndukwe, occurred on September 28 following an investigation by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad.

According to police reports, Dr. Ugwumba became a suspect in a child trafficking ring after a public notice regarding an abandoned child surfaced. The notice, published in the Daily Sun Newspaper on September 27, 2024, was allegedly endorsed by him as the director of OTZ under the Enugu State Ministry of Gender and Social Development.

During his arrest, law enforcement officials rescued a pregnant woman and two young girls, aged four and two. Further investigations revealed that Dr. Ugwumba, who claims to be a graduate of the University of Jos, operates Chima Hospital and Maternity in Ugbaike Enugu-Ezike within the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.

Authorities suspect that between 2017 and 2024, Dr. Ugwumba conspired with accomplices, including a purported staff member from the ministry, to provide prenatal care and delivery services, leading to the trafficking of at least seven children, whose current locations remain unknown.

Additionally, police discovered various documents related to the Enugu State Ministry of Gender Affairs and unverified pest/vector certificates from the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources in his possession.

On October 9, 2024, Dr. Ugwumba appeared in court and was remanded to the Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centre as proceedings continue.

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has refuted claims that it intends to amend the state’s Local Government Electoral Law just days before the October 19, 2024, local government elections. Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Henry Marah, clarified during a press briefing that no such amendment was listed in the Assembly’s order paper for its October 9 session.

This statement comes in response to concerns raised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose state chairman, Edward Masha, accused the Assembly of plotting to manipulate the election by altering provisions related to result declaration and the appointment of collation officers. Masha warned against any attempts to undermine the electoral process and called for peaceful and transparent elections.

Marah, however, dismissed these allegations, stating that no discussions had taken place regarding amendments to the electoral law since the July Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy for local governments. He emphasized that the Assembly remained independent and committed to the people’s welfare.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is ramping up its investigation into the aides of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, ahead of his court appearance scheduled for October 24, 2024. The probe focuses on allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement during Bello’s tenure from 2016 to 2024.

Sources suggest that several of Bello’s former aides, some now serving in the current administration, may face arrest for their involvement in the alleged misconduct. The EFCC has reportedly gathered substantial evidence against Bello, exceeding what has been presented in court so far.

Despite evading arrest for months, Bello is expected to face a new 16-count charge alongside co-defendants. EFCC insiders believe the case will bring significant revelations, possibly altering the stance of Bello’s supporters.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has appointed Daniel Ogu as the new Deputy Controller of Prisons (DCP) at Kirikiri Medium Security Prison in Lagos, following the suspension of Michael Anugwa. Anugwa was suspended amid allegations of bribery that allowed popular social media personality, Idris Okuneye (aka Bobrisky), to serve his six-month sentence in more comfortable conditions than standard prison facilities.

Anugwa faced questioning by the House of Representatives on September 30 regarding his involvement. His controversial response, stating, “They did not serve me a letter, sir. It is a social media suspension,” sparked further outrage. The NCoS has since confirmed that an independent panel is investigating the bribery claims.

Additionally, reports have surfaced accusing Anugwa of physically assaulting inmates, with an insider alleging that he regularly flogged prisoners. The scandal intensified when Bobrisky was transferred to a maximum-security facility after a video leaked showing him donating chairs to prison officials.

The Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has borrowed $6.45 billion from the World Bank over the past 16 months, with recent approvals of three new loans totaling $1.57 billion. These loans aim to fund projects in sectors such as education, healthcare, renewable energy, and economic reforms.

Since 2020, the World Bank has approved 36 loan requests to Nigeria, amounting to $24.088 billion. These loans come amid growing concerns about Nigeria’s rising debt and the sustainability of these financial commitments. The government’s debt servicing expenses have surged, with repayments reaching N6.04 trillion in the first half of 2024, a 68.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Despite the escalating debt, the World Bank’s loans are targeted at critical areas such as women’s empowerment, adolescent girls’ education, and climate resilience, with more credit expected before the year ends.

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has raised concerns over the recent surge in petrol prices in Lagos and Abuja, where prices have reached ₦998 and ₦1,030 per litre, respectively. The association’s National President, Dele Oye, issued a statement on Wednesday, highlighting the strain these increases are placing on businesses and households across the nation.

Oye warned that the price hike could lead to higher transportation costs, increased inflation, and severe consequences for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of which rely on petrol for operations. He stressed that the rising fuel costs would affect not only businesses but also households, causing a ripple effect on the cost of goods and services.

He called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd. to support the Dangote refinery in stabilizing local petrol prices and reducing the country’s reliance on imported fuel. Additionally, Oye urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to implement stronger monetary policies to stabilize the naira, which has been under pressure due to currency depreciation and rising importation costs.

NACCIMA continues to advocate for strategies that will not only stabilize fuel prices but also enhance domestic production capabilities, ensuring the Nigerian economy can navigate these challenging times.