Connect with us

Latest News

Gbajabiamila Wades Into Govt, Doctors’ Dispute

Published

on

Gbajabiamila Wades Into Govt, Doctors' Rift
L-R: House Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa; NARD Treasurer, Dr. Yawande Ariyo; Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila; NARD President, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi; Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu; and Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, Rep. Tanko Sununu after a meeting between the House Leadership and NARD executive at the association's secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, 13 April 2012. Photo: Speaker's Media Unit

For the first time in the history of Government/Labour Industrial dispute resolution, the leadership of the House of Representatives led by Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, has met with the leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) at the association’s secretariat over the strike declared by the doctors.

The speaker said the leadership coming to the secretariat to hold the meeting was to appreciate the respect and understanding the association had shown for the speaker and the House to suspend the strike to allow for the resolution of the issues.

He said: “The decision to visit you is a clear message that we are with you because the role of doctors cannot be understated and to thank you for calling off the strike because of what we have done.

“We are here to encourage and thank you for calling off the strike and give you assurances that the House will be there with you, talking with the executive on what needs to be done”.

In its determination to proffer an enduring resolution of contending issues with resident doctors in the country, the leadership of the House of Representatives will next week invite the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, over the issue of industrial action by the doctors, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: Govt To Obaseki: You Lied Over Printed Money

According to Gbajabiamila, the meeting will be over how to secure the commitment of the Minister to the execution of the Memorandum of Action entered into between the government and members of NARD.

While meeting with the executive of the NARD led by the President, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, at the association’s secretariat in Abuja, the speaker assured the doctors that the House would ensure an amicable and acceptable resolution of the contentious hazard allowance issue among others.

The resident doctors had suspended the industrial action that began on April 1, 2021, after 10 days of its commencement.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker noted that though it was impossible to accommodate the hazard allowance in the 2021 National Budget, the House would ensure that it was included in the supplementary budget.

While commending the doctors for suspending the strike on the request of the House, the speaker said, “Even the constitution talks about essential services, but there’s nothing as essential a service than that which seeks to save and protect lives.”

Saying that the House believes that “the labourer must earn his wages,” Gbajabiamila said “We’ll monitor issues being processed, the IPPIS, training fund, hazard allowances which the House championed at the peak of the Covid-19 crisis.

“All the issues will be addressed. We’re looking to come to a reasonable and acceptable hazard allowance as well as the training fund, which when the supplementary budget is introduced, we hope and expect to justify why this should be accommodated

“I think it was an oversight in the last budget, but we will do everything we need to do to see how we can capture that.

“We are inviting Finance Minister next week so that we can talk and see how as best as we can accommodate all these issues and cement the Memorandum of Action”.

On why the leadership of the House had to visit the NARD secretariat for the meeting, the speaker said it was to appreciate the respect and understanding the association had shown for the speaker and the House to suspend the strike to allow for the resolution of the issues.

He said: “The decision to visit you is a clear message that we are with you because the role of doctors cannot be understated and to thank you for calling off the strike because of what we have done.

“We are here to encourage and thank you for calling off the strike and give you assurances that the House will be there with you, talking with the executive on what needs to be done”.

Earlier, the president of the association, Okhuaihesuyi, who expressed appreciation for the visit, said the strike was called off on the heels of the intervention of the speaker and the House.

While thanking the speaker for all his previous interventions, he noted that the association had entered into a Memorandum of Action with the Executive and work had commenced on some of the issues.

Read more authentic news on our social media platforms

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Latest News

BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

Published

on

Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

Continue Reading

Latest News

Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

Published

on

BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

Continue Reading

Latest News

BREAKING: PDP Suspends Anyim, Fayose

Published

on

Anyim and Fayose

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former president of the Senate, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar and Aslam Aliyu were on Thursday suspended from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP made the suspension on Thursday after an extensive review of the affairs of the party, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

The PDP also referred the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time,” the statement added.

 

Continue Reading

Top Stories

%d bloggers like this: