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 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.”

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.”