Resident Doctors Suspend Nationwide Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its ongoing strike.

 This is coming after the progress made by the government to meet some demands of the body which include provision of adequate personal protective equipment, recalling the disengaged resident doctors at the Jos University Teaching Hospital with a directive issued to the Chief Medical Director to immediately pay their
withheld salaries, and commitment by government to procure group life insurance for the health workers as well as a promise to intervene on the salary shortfalls for 2014-2016.

The body noted that the  decision to suspend the strike action was taken in order to give the federal and state government enough time to fulfill the outstanding demands following an appeal by the Speaker of  the House of Representatives, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum and others.

The association calls on all its member to report to their various duty posts on monday 22nd of June, 2020.

Doctors Commence Nationwide Strike to Push Demands from FG

By Toyeebat Anifowose The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced an indefinite nationwide strike action.

This is contained in a communique issued by the association after a virtual national executive council meeting.

The council resolved to exempt members attending to covid-19 patients at designated isolation centres for two weeks after which they will be co-opted to join the strike if the situation remains the same.

The association stated that the exemption is to acknowledge the intervention of the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman House Committee on Health and other stakeholders.

The association explained that the resolution to embark on the strike is predicated on numerous demands which the government has refused to meet up with.

Some of which include; the lack of adequate personal protective equipment for all healthcare workers, the universal implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act in all federal and state hospitals and ensuring equal pay among doctors within the same cadre.

The association also demands the immediate implementation of the revised Hazard Allowance and payment of the Covid-19 inducement allowance as agreed with by the government and healthcare workers three months ago.

The associated further solicits the provision of funding for Medical Residency Training in the 2021 Appropriation bill, the payment of all arrears owed members by the federal and state tertiary health institutions arising as a result of the increment in the national minimum wage.


According to the association, all salary cuts suffered by members particularly in Kaduna state and other states should be immediately stopped and the state governments should make a refund to the affected members.

The health workers appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to adress these issues as soon as possible by calling relevant agencies to order.

The association further appealed to members of the public to understand that the resolution is an effort to save the health sector which it described as almost dead.

No Congregational Prayers Across Eid Grounds in FCT - FCTA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has urged Muslims to observe the Eid-il-Fitr prayers at home with family members or alone in the case of an individual living alone. 

This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary FCTA Antony Ogunleye.

The statement explains that the directive is in line with the guidelines issued by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 which shuts down all worship centres in high risk states including the FCT.


The statement further explains that the directive is also against the backdrop of the statementissued by Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), under the leadership of His Eminence, The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, regarding the suspension of the Eid Congregational prayers in towns and cities across the Federation.

The statement adds that the Administration is soliciting  support and understanding from all residents as efforts are being made to curtail and eventually win the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

FCT Health Workers Threaten Strike Action Over Unpaid Entitlements

By Toyeebat Anifowose Health workers in the Federal Capital Territory have threatened to proceed on an indefinite strike from 1st of June if their salaries, allowances and other entitlements are not paid by the Federal Capital Territory  Administration on or before the 31st of May.

 The aggrieved health workers consist  specialist doctors across the 14 district hospitals within the FCT and the department of Public Health and Primary Healthcare Development Board.

The resolution is contained in a statement jointly signed by the chairman Medical  and Dental Consultants Association  of Nigeria (MDCAN), Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) and others.

The health workers say they have over-stretched their patience limit with the FCTA and might embark on the strike action to drive home their demands.

According to them, no progress has been made despite the several meetings held with FCTA officials who have promised to resolve the issues particularly regarding the payment of outstanding salaries and other entitlements of health workers in the FCT. By Toyeebat Anifowose

Over 150 Lockdown Violators Have Been Prosecuted: DRTS Boss

The Director, Directorate of Road Traffic  Services, Bodinga Wadata says the level of compliance to the COVID-19 lockdown directive in the Federal Capital Territory has improved as the mobile courts convict more violators.

Wadata noted that the trial involves pedestrians, motorists and motorcyclists caught violating the lockdown order.

According to him, some of the convicts were fined various sums while others had their vehicles impounded and sentenced to community service.

He stated that the idea of prosecuting violators was not aimed at punishing anyone but to discourage people from leaving their homes against medical advice to curtail the spread of COVID 19.

He appealed to residents to comply with the lockdown order to avoid arrest and prosecution.

The mobile courts commenced sittings on Thursday 16th April at three different locations across the city which include AYA, Dantata and Mpape.

FCTA Commences Community Search For COVID-19 Active Cases

By Toyeebat Anifowose The Federal Capital Territory Administration has commenced a community screening of persons with symptoms of Covid-19 infection.

In a press statement issued by the FCT Public Health Department, the Administration explained that the screening is to get these patients treated immediately.

The screening is also to break the transmission of COVID-19 in the territory.

The Administration has since started the community active case search in Mpape through sensitization and sample collection of residents with possible symptoms.

The screening will be expanded to other communities in AMAC, Gishiri, Utako and Mabushi throughout the week.

FCT, Lagos and Ogun State on Lockdown For Two More Weeks: President Muhammadu Buhari

By Toyeebat Anifowose President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an additional two weeks lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun state.

The President gave this directive while addressing Nigerians in a national broadcast.

The President explained that the extension is a necessary measure to combat the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The President stated that efforts will continue to be focused on Lagos state and the Federal Capital Territory which collectively account for 71% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria.

According to him, the previously issued guidelines on exempted services shall remain.

The President announced that the previous palliative measures will be sustained including an additional expansion of the current social register from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million in the next two weeks.