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NARD sets 24-hour call duty limit for doctors

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has directed its members to stop engaging in more than 24 hours of continuous call duty from today, October 1, 2025.

NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, saying the move is aimed at protecting doctors’ health and ensuring safer care for patients.

“For too long, resident doctors in Nigeria have been overstretched with marathon call hours that take a toll on their health and compromise service delivery.

“From today, Wednesday, October 1, our members will no longer engage in more than 24 consecutive hours of call duty. Marathon call rosters are not tenable because doctors will make mistakes, collapse, or even die. Twenty-four hours are the maximum after, which rest is necessary.

“NARD is charging members to reject rosters that schedule back-to-back 24-hour calls,” Suleiman said.

He explained that the association had repeatedly raised concerns about excessive call schedules, which he described as unsafe and unsustainable.

“Any call roster that comes out, a doctor is only allowed to be on a straight 24-hour call once. After those 24 hours, he should go get rest. Then, the next day or the day after, you can put him on call. But to take a 24-hour call, at the end of that, continue another 24-hour call, continue another for a whole week, for a whole month, is no longer acceptable.

“That is why we are calling on the Federal Government, especially the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to bring out clear guidelines, clear, healthy call roster guidelines, so that this will not happen,” he said.

The NARD president clarified that the directive was not about refusing call duty, but about ensuring limits.

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“We are not saying we are not taking calls. We are taking calls. This is our job. We are delighted to do it, but we will not take it beyond 24 hours. After 24 hours, one needs to go and rest, eat, see their loved ones, refresh, watch a movie, or read a book. Then you now continue the other,” he said.

Suleiman recalled a tragic incident involving a young doctor in Rivers State.

According to him, the doctor had reportedly been on call for three days consecutively before being found dead in the call room.

“Some stories will tell you he had malaria, and he was on some medications. Some will tell you they don’t know what happened, but he was with his colleagues at the end of the three-day call, and then he said, ‘Let me go and rest in the call room,’ and he was no more.

“Even if that is not the direct cause of death, it is a remote contributing factor. You really cannot say that excess workload or burnout is not real. And that is why we are taking this stand,” he emphasized.

He further stated that long call hours were compounded by doctors’ other responsibilities.

“It is not just the call we are taking; we still have regular work that we do. We have patients that are already in the ward, medications that need to be served, and clinics that need to be run. It is not as if you are on call; you are now saying stop all other work,” he stated.

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How I Escaped Being Caught In Benin Republic Following Coup Attempt – Dele Momodu Reveals

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December 7, 2025

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He also revealed that a Beninese friend, Alex Dalmeida, had already arrived to accompany them across the French speaking borders, but was subsequently informed that the road trip had been cancelled.

Media personality Dele Momodu has recounted how a change of travel plans helped him narrowly avoid being caught in the unfolding coup attempt in Benin Republic, describing the experience as a moment of divine intervention.

In a detailed post shared on Saturday, December 6, Momodu explained that he and his travel companion, Rotimi Obey, son of legendary Nigerian musician Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, had planned to travel by road to Accra, Ghana, through Benin early that morning, but a delay caused by missing car documents forced a last minute change to air travel.

In his words, Momodu wrote, “OUR GOD DID THIS FOR US… My friend ROTIMI OBEY, the second son of legendary musician, CHIEF COMMANDER EBENEZER OBEY and I were to head out to Accra, Ghana, by road, this morning. All was set and ROTIMI went to bed early so that we can set out at 5am. But something went wrong. Before going to bed, I asked my driver for the originals of my car documents. He said he had only the copies with him. I searched the Home Office in Victoria Island but I couldn’t find it. I then went to the Penthouse in Ikoyi to check my other office. Still no luck. So, I called ROTIMI at 10:38 PM to give him the decision to fly instead of driving. He agreed.”

He also revealed that a Beninese friend, Alex Dalmeida, had already arrived to accompany them across the French speaking borders, but was subsequently informed that the road trip had been cancelled.

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“Meanwhile, my Beninese friend and mentee, ALEX DALMEIDA, was already in town waiting to accompany us through the French speaking borders. So I called him at 23:02 last night to abort our road trip,” Momodu added.

Momodu said flight arrangements were secured shortly before midnight, and it was only when they arrived at the airport that they became aware of the political crisis unfolding in Benin Republic.

“I called PRECIOUS, my travel consultant, to check available flights. She got us tickets at 11:15PM. It was at the airport we received the news of the coup in Benin Republic… We barely missed it by the whiskers…,” he wrote.

Quoting early reports on the takeover, Momodu added, “Soldiers led by Lieutenant Pascal Tigri announce that they have taken over the country. They have suspended all political parties and announced the closure of land, sea and air borders. Benin is one of West Africa’s most peaceful countries.”

He further noted the political backdrop to the upheaval, stating, “The Benin’s President changed the constitution just last month to allow him extend his presidential term, this morning the military has overthrown him.”

He wrote: “OUR GOD DID THIS FOR US…

My friend ROTIMI OBEY, the second son of legendary musician, CHIEF COMMANDER EBENEZER OBEY and I were to head out to Accra, Ghana, by road, this morning. All was set and ROTIMI went to bed early so that we can set out at 5am. But something went wrong. Before going to bed, I asked my driver for the originals of my car documents. He said he had only the copies with him. I searched the Home Office in Victoria Island but I couldn’t find it. I then went to the Penthouse in Ikoyi to check my other office. Still no luck. So , I called ROTIMI at 10:38 PM to give him the decision to fly instead of driving. He agreed.

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Meanwhile, my Beninese friend and mentee, ALEX DALMEIDA, was already in town waiting to accompany us through the French-speaking borders. So I called him at 23:02 last night to abort our road trip.

I called PRECIOUS, my travel consultant, to check available flights. She got us tickets at 11:15PM. It was at the airport we received the news of the coup in Benin Republic… We barely missed it by the whiskers..

“Soldiers led by Lieutenant Pascal Tigri announce that they have taken over the country. They have suspended all political parties and announced the closure of land, sea and air borders. Benin is one of West Africa’s most peaceful countries.”

“The Benin’s President changed the constitution just last month to allow him extend his presidential term, this morning the military has overthrown him.”

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Benin Republic Govt Provides Fresh Update On Attempted Coup, Says Plotters On Run, Some Arrested

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December 7, 2025

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He added that some members of the group have already been arrested after security forces stopped the attempted takeover.

According to a new update from Nigeria’s Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, authorities in Benin Republic have confirmed that Colonel Pascal Tigri, the leader of Sunday’s attempted mutiny, is now on the run.

According to him, “The latest report from the Benin Republic said Colonel Pascal Tigri, the leader of the mutineers who seized the country’s National TV on Sunday, is on the run.”

He added that some members of the group have already been arrested after security forces stopped the attempted takeover.

Benin’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, appeared on national television to announce that the situation had been brought under control.

He explained what happened on Sunday morning.

He said, “Early on Sunday morning, 7 December 2025, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny aimed at destabilising the state and its institutions.

“Faced with this situation, the Beninese armed forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic. Their response allowed them to retain control of the situation and foil the attempt.

“The government therefore urges the population to go about their activities as normal.”

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Terrorism: French President, Emmanuel Macron Reveals Details Of His Phone Call With Tinubu

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3 hours ago

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December 7, 2025

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The French President, Emmanuel Macron revealed that he spoke with Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu.

France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, has disclosed that he has spoken with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

According to Macron, the conversation centered around the threat of terrorism in Northern Nigeria.

He affirmed to Tinubu that the French people stand in solidarity with the African nation.

Macron also made it clear “no one can remain a spectator” in the fight against terrorists.

He wrote on X: “I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria, @officialABAT.

“I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North.

“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement.

“No one can remain a spectator.”

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