The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Faruk Abubakar has said that over 15,000 nurses and midwives left the country in 2023 to seek greener pastures in other countries. Reacting to the controversy surrounding the new rules on the nurses’ certificate verification, on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, the Registrar said that the number of nurses leaving the country is increasing every year. “42,000 nurses left the country in the last three years. Last year alone, it was over 15,000. The number is increasing year by year.” On the welfare of the nurses, he said that the Federal Ministry of Health is working towards improving the nurses’ working conditions, allowances, and salaries. “The FMoH and the honourable Minister of State (for health) are working hard to ensure a very conducive working environment, with the provision of state-of-the-art equipment, and instruments, that will help them provide quality care for Nigerians. “And I want to assure (you) that within a couple of months, a lot has been integrated and provided in 2024 that will improve the welfare of the nurses that we are talking about. “When talk about the salary, I think it’s a general phenomenon, and I believe it’s a general thing. “There is a lot of progress that is going on to review the salary and nurses are also included in that policy. I think it’s a general phenomenon, all other sectors are also complaining and the government is doing a lot.” He said that the Council is not responsible for the remuneration of nurses in the country, saying: “our responsibility is to ensure that nurses are regulated to better education and practice for Nigerians. “Those who are responsible are doing their best to ensure that welfare is attended to. “Additionally, the NANNM, which is the umbrella body (of nurses and midwives) is doing a lot. I know that there was a lot of discussion with the honourable Minister some weeks back, and all related to their welfare. “The association that is responsible for that is doing its best to ensure that welfare is improved drastically.” The nurses had staged protests at the NMCN’s offices in Abuja and Lagos, respectively to express their displeasure over what they described as an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities. They also asked the Council to address nurses’ welfare, salary scale, shortage of staff, and other rights. The Council had issued a revised guidelines asking that applicants seeking verification of certificates from foreign nursing boards and councils must possess two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practising licence.
The Vice-Captain of the Super Eagles football team, William Troost-Ekong, has assured President Bola Tinubu that the team will bring gold medal home in the next African Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition. “All we can promise is that we will continue to work hard, and the next time we meet, hopefully next year, we will be bringing home a gold medal,” the Vice-Captain told President Tinubu who hosted the players today, February 13, at the Presidential villa in Abuja. Ekong expressed the team’s appreciation of the support of the President during their stay in Ivory Coast. “We did our best until the final. I wish that we were here carrying the trophy for you. ”In 2019, I was here with a bronze medal. Now we are here with a silver medal. I have two gold-medal winners beside me here.” This was even as the minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh applauded the President for prioritizing sports development in the country and ensuring support for the team. He lauded the decision by the President to create a separate Ministry of Sports Development, saying: “for the first time, we have gone through a major competition; we have come back without any crisis, without any complaint, without any issues whatsoever relating to allowances, bonuses, or whatever. “This kept the team focused on the matches in front of them with quality results.” President Tinubu, who decorated each member of the Super Eagles team with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) lapel pins, observed that the team demonstrated a team spirit and discipline at the AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire and proved that diversity is a source of strength. The President commended the players for their exemplary display of unity, determination and resilience on the field. He emphasized the pride Nigerians felt in the Super Eagles’ remarkable journey throughout the competition. “It is a great honour for me to receive you, our Super Eagles. As a team, you taught us lessons on resilience, togetherness, diversity and excitement in competitive games. ”You started the tournament as if Nigeria would not assert itself, but you progressed to the finals. Through all the challenges and dealing with great humility in the host country, you left your clubs and honoured your country. You gave us great excitement. ”You were determined. We salute your resilience. You lifted our spirits, and you made us proud. You made us smile as Nigerians. ”It is not easy to absorb a loss, particularly when the expectations are high. But you have demonstrated sportsmanship, resilience, and teamanship throughout the entire tournament. “That is what AFCON stands for, the unity and resilience of the continent. You have done a great job, and I am very proud of you.” President Tinubu pledged to continue investing in sports and youth development, adding: ”we will consult with you on how to facilitate and promote sports development. As your President, I will go out to attract greater private sector investment in the Nigerian Professional Football League. We have to grow our local league and I promise to be a super promoter of sports in our country. Many of you may in the future become managers of our local premiership system. I want to say once again that I am proud of you, and Nigeria is proud of you. You are a lifter of spirits.” Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has moved to allocate a plot of land to each of the players by distributing forms for them to fill, even as he announced the donation of a flat to each of them. The Super Eagles came second with silver medal in the just concluded African Cup Of Nations competition in Côte d’Ivoire.
Medical Nurses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have trooped out in Abuja to protest against what they called “unfair treatment” through new rules on verification exercise. The protesters, under the aegis of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Abuja chapter, said that the government should address unemployment among nurses instead of the new rules on certificate verification. Some of the placards they carried while marching on Abuja streets today, February 12 read: Address unemployment among nurses; address quackery; address nurses welfare; #No to verification rules. They called for a stop to the frustration of the Nigerian nurses, saying: “we are going through a lot already. Protect nurses, protect healthcare, NMCN; we say no to the verification rules, NMCN; don’t reduce nurses.” They asked the council (Nurses and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to address nurses’ welfare, salary scale, shortage of staff and other rights. The NMCN had issued a circular on February 7, 2024, revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives. The council’s circular was released after a report of the deactivation of the verification portal on NMCN’s website since December 2023. The circular, signed by the Registrar of the Council, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, read in part: “A non-refundable fee per application shall be paid for verification by foreign boards of nursing as specified on the portal. “This shall cover the cost of courier services to the applicant’s institution (s) of training, place of work, and foreign board. “Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years post qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing licence. Any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected outright. “The council shall request a letter of good standing from the chief executive officer of the applicant’s place (s) of work and the last nursing training institution attended and responses on these shall be addressed directly to the Registrar/CEO, NMCN. “Please note that the council shall not accept such letter (s) through the applicant.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has jerked its demand for new monthly minimum wage for workers in Nigeria to one million Naira. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in an interview on Arise Television today, February 12, said that the earlier N200,000 which the labour gave as acceptable new minimum wage is no longer adequate to meet the needs of an average worker. He insisted that the new minimum wage must reflect the country’s economic conditions and other economic indicators. “This N1 million may be relevant if the value of the Naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues to depreciate. “The demand of Labour is equally dependent on what is happening in society. “You will remember that by the time we contemplated N200,000, the exchange rate was about N900. Today, the exchange rate is about N1,400 or even more. “Those are the issues that determine the demand, and they are equally affecting the cost of living, and we have always said that our demand will be based on the cost of living index. “You will agree that a bag of rice is about N60,000 to N70,000. Foodstuff is getting out of reach. “Now, will we get a minimum wage that is insufficient for transportation, even for one week? “We have to factor in all these issues. And that will determine the federal government’s commitment to these negotiations.” He confirmed that the organized Labour is meeting with the Federal Government today to discuss resolutions around the strike notice issued by the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) last week.
A bowl-full of African star apple, known in Yoruba language as agbalumo and Udara in Igbo language cost N250 at Owo in Ondo State of South West Nigeria. Though the bowl is padded, you are sure to get at least 12 pieces in a bowl. We bought two bowls of agbalumo and they tasted so sweet to the extent of us regretting not having bought more. Earlier in the journey, I observed an 18-seater bus loaded with agbalumo heading towards Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, from Ondo State. As we arrived in Abuja, the nation’s federal capital, we found the same agbalumo being sold at N100 per piece, and if you are lucky, you get three pieces at 200 (meaning that a bowl goes for between N1,000 and N1,200). One then wonders why are there price discrepancies between what it is the South West and the North, a distance of barely six hours journey. You begin to hear all sort of stories, starting from market unions where the goods are being loaded from. We are told that tickets for loading fruits such as agbalumo could cost the owner of the goods as high as 40,000 naira. Such tickets are said to have been classified as levies charged for loading out any produce from the local market . On the high way while conveying these goods, extortions of various types know no bounds. The extortions are the handiwork of customs officers on the road, the police, the road safety officers and even army personnel. Drivers are made to pay all sort of unauthorised monies in the name of levies. Of course, all such taxes and levies add up to the high cost of such goods in the retail markets. The same story goes for all other food items coming from the hinterlands to the cities across the country. The question is that for how long should this be allowed to continue? We should not forget marketers who are in the habit of reaping where they do not sow. They would take great delight in selling old stocks at the rate of new prices. However, luckily, on February 8, the federal government ordered the release of 102,000 metric tonnes of rice and maize from the grain reserves to avert the hunger that is already in the land from biting harder. Strategic grain reserve is a government stockpile of grain for the purpose of meeting future domestic or international needs. After the announcement of the release of grains by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idtis, critical look should be made on the reason why there have been wide margin in prices of food commodities between the local markets and end users in the cities. There should be a look into the reason why ogbono (sorrel), for instance, in Ogoja, Cross Rivers State costs far lower than what obtains in Lagos or Abuja. At what point are the citizens themselves jeopardising the process? Agreed that transportation cost is a major determinant of how much these items will cost but government should therefore, do something drastic and practical to reduce the cost of transportation of, especially, agricultural products. One of the options can be the gas powered vehicles that are waiting to be implemented in full. Afterall, in the wake of fuel subsidy removal, we have been made to enjoy palliative measures that has remained so far only on paper: not many have seen or experience such palliative and where they are distributed publicly around town to the hungry populace. We should understand that while the majority in the country are living in poverty, not many have the endurance spirit to bear it for too long without succumbing to other shortcuts.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has fallen for second best to the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, losing the final match in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) this evening, February 11, by 2 goals to 1. The Ivorians came from a goal down in the final match to score two goals to win the trophy. Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong, had put his team ahead in the 38 minutes play of the first half from a corner kick. But two second half goals ensured that Cote d’Ivoire, which came out as the fourth best among the third placed teams in the group phase, won the trophy.
The House of Representatives has made it clear that it had not gone outside the provisions of the Nigerian constitution on the issue of the TETFund Interventions that had caught media headlines in recent times. Reacting to media outcry on alleged extortion against the House Of Representatives by Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts of the tatiary institutions in the country, the Reps described the allegation as being ignorance of the constitution. In a statement today, February 11, the Reps Spokesman who doubles as Chairman, House Committee on Media & Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi Jr. said that legislative oversight or directives over monies appropriated by parliament for a public institution neither constitutes “unwholesome overbearing influence” in the management of the schools nor “breaches their autonomy,” as reported in the media outfits. Akin Rotimi said that section 80 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), clearly spells out that: “No monies shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation unless the issue of those monies has been authorised by an Act of the National Assembly. “Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution also give the National Assembly powers to direct or cause to be directed, investigation into the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly. “The Nigerian Constitution serves as the Supreme Law of the Land, and every legislation or action remains subordinate to the provisions of the constitution even in the case of a seeming contradiction. This is by virtue of Section 1 of the same constitution and there have been a plethora of the apex court’s affirmations of this principle. It is essential to recognise that the Constitution acts as the litmus test for the validity of every other law or action in the country, ensuring adherence to constitutional principles. In light of this constitutional imperative, it is our firm belief that the TETFund Act, like any other legislation in Nigeria, should be interpreted and applied in harmony with the Constitution. “While Section 7(5) of the TETFund Act may not explicitly mention National Assembly approval, it should be read and understood within the broader context of the Constitution, which mandates such approval for withdrawals from public funds. The absence of an express statement in the TETFund Act for National Assembly approval does not imply an exemption from constitutional provisions. “Rather, it can be interpreted as an inherent understanding that all legislation, including the TETFund Act, is subject to the overarching principles enshrined in the Constitution.” The spokesperson said that the directive by the House Committee on TETFUND in its letter to the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), requesting a suspension of the implementation of the 2024 Intervention Fund pending its approval is within constitutional bounds and in line with the need to ensure accountability. He said that for any one or entity to “resort to blackmail of the Committee with allegations of extortion, they must understand that such an action is libelous and necessary legal action would be taken. “Not forgetting that the content of these reports raises fresh fears about the falling standard of journalism in our dear country; given especially that mere insinuations (rather than statement of proofs) could be elevated in such manner by any national daily. “Secondly, it is pertinent to add that although an earlier communication on this subject matter was from the House, the scheduled hearing on 27th February 2024 is organised by a Joint Senate and House Committee on TETFund. A similar approach was employed during Budget Defence by the various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Parastatals and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) during consideration of the 2024 Appropriation Bill (now Act). “We believe that the action of holding Joint Committee meetings where necessary, allays whatever fears (due to cost and sundry reasons) such that agencies of government will have to interface with the so-called “duplicated committees,” as insinuated in one of the reports. “Thirdly, it is also well known that there are established channels for these “complainants” to lay whatever complains they may have against the invitation handed them or the content of the letter in itself. In this regard, neither the CVCNU nor TETFund has made any formal complaint or claims against the Committee or the said invitation. “Since we have not received any such complaints, we believe the false narratives being peddled are not the positions of the tertiary institutions’ administrators, but a few among them who have a lot to fear and consequently seek to hide, and have jettisoned formal channels and opted for coordinated sponsored smear campaigns against the Committee. “Finally, it is on record that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) wrote to some universities in July 2023, as part of its investigation into alleged Violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. “The ICPC had in its letter requested these universities to direct some of its staff to refund unutilised funds released to them under Conferences and ensure that the same is paid into ICPC’s TSA Recovery Account through a Remita Platform. “As a legislature desirous of effective service delivery, the Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen-led House believes that such issues are avoidable where strengthened oversight exists. “In line with our 8-point Legislative Agenda, Strengthening Good Governance is the first among the eight priorities of this Assembly so listed. Anti-Corruption and Legislative Oversight are key pillars in these efforts at strengthening good governance. It therefore follows that hearings such as these are to be recognised and respected as part of legislative initiatives to strengthen our oversight functions to combat corruption in Nigeria.”
President Bola Tinubu has said that his government is positioning Nigeria As net exporter of food in no distance future. “Nigeria will become a net-exporter of food” the President stressed, when he received in audience, today, February 11, a delegation from the Global Tijaniyya Movement, led by Khalifa Muhammad Mahe Niass, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Tinubu said that very soon, his government will bring thousands of tractors and that “food production will be greatly expanded through aggressive mechanization.” He enumerated other viable initiatives by his government to bolster agricultural productivity. Such initiatives, President Tinubu said, will include the expansion of farmlands, the provision of low-interest loans to farmers and significant investments in irrigation infrastructure. The President vowed, with emphasis, to revolutionize agriculture to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production and a net exporter of agricultural products “We must be productive as a people. That is the Sunnah and the principles I grew up understanding.” He stressed the need for collaboration between political and spiritual leaders to advance the nation’s interests and promote unity among the people. He thanked the Global Tijaniyya Movement for their support and prayers, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in building a better Nigeria. This was even as the Khalifa of Tijaniyya, Sheikh Mahe Niass, commended President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s peace, progress and stability. He expressed confidence in the President’s leadership and conveyed the support and prayers of members of the Global Tijaniyya Movement to the Nigerian leader. During their visit, the delegation offered prayers for the nation’s progress, unity and prosperity, and for Almighty Allah to grant President Tinubu wisdom, strength and success.
Ex Super Eagles forward, Osaze Odemwingie has predicted that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will defeat Ivory Coast in today’s (February 11) in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Super Eagles had defeated the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire 1-0 during the group stage of the competition. But Ivory Coast beat defending champions Senegal, Mali, and Dr Congo en route to the final. Osaze said: “Hopefully, history repeats itself and we beat them once again in this tournament, I think we have the upper hand emotionally and maybe mentally because we know we have already had a good performance against them with the support of the crowd,” Odemwinge said to Channels Television. “So I think the boys will have it at the back of their minds that during this tournament, they have already won but you know at the same time you know a very good start is very important. “We have all the talents. We have a team with more talented players than Cote d’Ivoire. If we match them physically, they cannot match us for skill and that would be my hope that all these skills you know come out in the game because we want to unlock their defense. “They conceded four goals against Equatorial Guinea, so there are places to exploit and I am sure they will show them the images of where those goals came from, and hopefully, our boys will do the same thing and use those key weak areas in their team because scoring will be important and if we can score first, obviously it will us you you know to keep their fans and all home support quiet.”
South Africa, last night, managed to defeat the Democratic Republic of Congo on 6-5 penalty shootouts to emerge third in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON). The two teams ended goaless after 90 minutes full time and 30 minutes extra time plays. The position match was played at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium. This is even as the Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the host Ivory Coast are set for the final; first and second positions today, February 11.
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Rising Prices Of Food And Dilemma Of Citizens, By Rashidat Yusuf
A bowl-full of African star apple, known in Yoruba language as agbalumo and Udara in Igbo language cost N250 at Owo in Ondo State of South West Nigeria. Though the bowl is padded, you are sure to get at least 12 pieces in a bowl.
We bought two bowls of agbalumo and they tasted so sweet to the extent of us regretting not having bought more.
Earlier in the journey, I observed an 18-seater bus loaded with agbalumo heading towards Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, from Ondo State.
As we arrived in Abuja, the nation’s federal capital, we found the same agbalumo being sold at N100 per piece, and if you are lucky, you get three pieces at 200 (meaning that a bowl goes for between N1,000 and N1,200).
One then wonders why are there price discrepancies between what it is the South West and the North, a distance of barely six hours journey. You begin to hear all sort of stories, starting from market unions where the goods are being loaded from.
We are told that tickets for loading fruits such as agbalumo could cost the owner of the goods as high as 40,000 naira. Such tickets are said to have been classified as levies charged for loading out any produce from the local market .
On the high way while conveying these goods, extortions of various types know no bounds. The extortions are the handiwork of customs officers on the road, the police, the road safety officers and even army personnel. Drivers are made to pay all sort of unauthorised monies in the name of levies. Of course, all such taxes and levies add up to the high cost of such goods in the retail markets.
The same story goes for all other food items coming from the hinterlands to the cities across the country.
The question is that for how long should this be allowed to continue?
We should not forget marketers who are in the habit of reaping where they do not sow. They would take great delight in selling old stocks at the rate of new prices.
However, luckily, on February 8, the federal government ordered the release of 102,000 metric tonnes of rice and maize from the grain reserves to avert the hunger that is already in the land from biting harder.
Strategic grain reserve is a government stockpile of grain for the purpose of meeting future domestic or international needs.
After the announcement of the release of grains by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idtis, critical look should be made on the reason why there have been wide margin in prices of food commodities between the local markets and end users in the cities. There should be a look into the reason why ogbono (sorrel), for instance, in Ogoja, Cross Rivers State costs far lower than what obtains in Lagos or Abuja.
At what point are the citizens themselves jeopardising the process?
Agreed that transportation cost is a major determinant of how much these items will cost but government should therefore, do something drastic and practical to reduce the cost of transportation of, especially, agricultural products.
One of the options can be the gas powered vehicles that are waiting to be implemented in full.
Afterall, in the wake of fuel subsidy removal, we have been made to enjoy palliative measures that has remained so far only on paper: not many have seen or experience such palliative and where they are distributed publicly around town to the hungry populace.
We should understand that while the majority in the country are living in poverty, not many have the endurance spirit to bear it for too long without succumbing to other shortcuts.