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Implement our 15 demands to avoid strike, resident doctors tell FG

Published

9 months ago

January 13, 2026

The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors has urged the Federal Government to conclude the process of reinstating the dismissed resident doctors in Lokoja and to capture and implement outstanding professional allowances in the January budget, among other demands.

In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, the President of NARD, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, expressed hope that the 15 demands of the association being discussed would be implemented this month.

He said, “We hope they will finalise the processes of returning our members to Lokoja. We hope they will capture the professional allowances in the budget and implement them this January. And we hope they will pay this allowance.”

Suleiman further stated that while the government and some stakeholders often wanted the association to focus on a single demand, all 15 items were critical to the welfare of resident doctors and the healthcare system.

He stated, “We don’t have just one demand. We have 15 items at the table for discussion.”

PUNCH Healthwise reports that the association shelved its planned January 12 strike on Sunday after engagements with various government agencies.

NARD had, on November 1, 2025, embarked on an indefinite strike to press home its demands. The strike, which lasted for 29 days, was called off on November 29.

A communiqué issued by the association’s Secretary General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, on January 11, 2026, following a virtual extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, detailed the status of the 15 demands and the progress made through engagements with various government agencies.

The communiqué revealed that regarding the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja crisis, a reconciliation committee comprising the Chief Medical Directors, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and NARD had been established to ensure all members remained at the facility and to broker lasting peace between the Association of Resident Doctors at FTH Lokoja and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria at the same institution.

PUNCH Healthwise reports that tensions had earlier arisen at the FTH, Lokoja, following disagreements involving resident doctors and other medical staff, which led to the dismissal of five resident doctors and strained working relationships within the facility.

Continuing, NARD stated that concerning the outstanding 25 per cent and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure arrears, verified lists had been forwarded to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, while the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment had written to the Federal Ministry of Finance with attention to IPPIS for prompt payment.

Suleiman said, “Verified lists have been forwarded to IPPIS. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has written to the Federal Ministry of Finance, with attention to IPPIS. NARD will continue close follow-up to ensure prompt payment.”

The communiqué noted similar progress on outstanding accoutrement allowances, with the association maintaining close follow-up to ensure payment.

Regarding promotion and salary arrears, the association disclosed that lists had been transmitted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, with the Honourable Minister of State for Finance acknowledging receipt.

The statement read, “Lists have been transmitted by FMoH&SW to the FMoF and Budget Office. Importantly, the Honourable Minister of State for Finance has acknowledged it, and NARD is now engaging to ensure a clear and expedited payment plan.”

On the issue of skipping and entry-level placement, NARD stated that the Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would communicate with Chief Executives of hospitals regarding a clarification issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, emphasising that CONMESS 3 was the recognised entry level.

The association revealed that a multi-stakeholder committee comprising the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Chief Medical Directors, the Nigerian Medical Association and NARD had been constituted to address locum practice and work hour regulation, with preliminary activities commencing ahead of formal inauguration.

Concerning house officers’ welfare, the communiqué stated that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment had intervened, and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would formally engage the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to communicate with IPPIS on salary delays, arrears and issuance of pay advisories.

On membership recategorisation, Suleiman disclosed that a committee chaired by the Director of Hospital Services had been set up to engage MDCN, Chief Medical Directors, postgraduate colleges and NARD.

The association stated that it would work closely with affected centres to ensure salary and allowance arrears in state and private facilities were cleared while ensuring that gains at the federal level were replicated at the state level.

Regarding the professional allowance table, the communiqué revealed that the circular had been released and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had written to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for full implementation, beginning with the January salary.

Suleiman said, “The circular has been released. MoH&SW has written to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for full implementation beginning with the January salary. NARD is following up closely. Assurances have also been given that 18 months’ arrears will be captured in the 2026 Budget.”

The association noted that it would continue to push for the immediate resumption and timely conclusion of negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Following firm commitments from critical stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, IPPIS, Director General of Budget, Chief Medical Directors, the National Assembly, Director General of the Department of State Services, and notably the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the resumption of Total and Indefinite Comprehensive Strike 2.0.

The communiqué stated, “This suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting commencing 25th January 2026.”

In addition, the NARD president told PUNCH Healthwise that 4,700 doctors left Nigeria in 2024 alone, contributing to a brain drain crisis that has seen approximately 15,000 medical practitioners emigrate over the past seven years.

Suleiman noted that data on the number of doctors who left the country in 2025 would become available by the end of January or in February 2026, adding that the continuous exodus of medical professionals was significantly affecting healthcare delivery in the country.

punch.ng

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Belgian parliament to legislate to allow police to enter homes to facilitate undocumented migrant removals

Published

17 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Belgian police will soon be able, in conjunction with the Immigration Office (DVZ), to enter the homes of undocumented migrants who pose a threat to public order or national security. This is set out in a bill drafted by the Belgian Asylum and Migration Minister, Anneleen Van Bossuyt (Flemish nationalist N-VA), and Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (Flemish Christian democrat CD&V), which has now been approved by the House Home Affairs Committee. The proposal still needs to be OKed during a plenary session of the lower house of the Belgian parliament.

Home searches like these are controversial. The aim is to make it easier to deport people residing here illegally and who persistently refuse to cooperate with efforts to facilitate their return.

The new law will make this possible. Following entry into the home, the police may place the person in question – that is, the individual who poses a threat to public order or national security – under administrative detention. However, prior authorisation from an investigating judge is required to enter the home.

Speaking to press agency Belga, Minister Van Bossuyt referred to this as “an historic breakthrough” and had previously said that this “is the final piece in a firm but humane return policy”.

“This is not a witch-hunt against people who have international protection or are simply in the country illegally (..) The law sets out clear conditions, and a search of a home can only take place with the authorisation of an investigating judge.”

(Overly) broad definitions

The bill did, however, attract a great deal of comment and was extensively discussed in parliament.

The opposition, the federal police, investigating judges and lawyers alike were highly critical. They believe that the exact meaning of ‘a threat to public order or national security’ has not been defined clearly enough.

“It will be up to the investigating judge to determine whether someone poses a threat to public order or national security,” says Van Bossuyt. “The judge will independently assess whether that person poses such a threat. That is a crucial test.”

Minister Van Bossuyt finds the debate strange: “The concepts of public order and national security feature in many parts of our legislation. Nowhere is a specific list provided of what they entail.” What is more, according to Van Bossuyt, the Council of State, which vets Belgian draft legislation, has explicitly stated that it is not desirable to define these concepts, as they may evolve over time.

“When the Justice Minister drafts new legislation, she isn’t asked how judges should apply that law, is she?” Van Bossuyt notes.

Van Bossuyt has also tabled an amendment to her own bill: “We have given investigating judges more time to reach a decision, from 5 days to 7.”

She emphasises that their role is not merely reduced to that of a ‘rubber-stamp judge’: “The investigating judge will absolutely not be a rubber-stamp judge, precisely because they play such a crucial role in assessing whether someone poses a threat or not. They will have access to the full case file.”

What about minors?

Another point of criticism concerns the rights of minors. According to critics, these are not sufficiently safeguarded. Government party Les Engagés (Francophone centrist) was only prepared to vote for the bill if greater protection for minors was provided.

“When authorising a search of a home, the investigating judge must determine all the conditions under which that search may take place,” explains Van Bossuyt. “If, for example, children are present, the investigating judge can stipulate that the search must take place during school hours. In that case, the likelihood of children being present is very low.”

The investigating judge may also, for example, require a psychologist to be present during the search, says Van Bossuyt. “So, the possible presence of minors has certainly been taken into account.”

The minister also points to the responsibility of the person who poses a threat to public order or national security: “It is that person who is making life difficult for those children,” says the minister.

Desperately needed, according to Van Bossuyt

Government party, Les Engagés, did not secure all the amendments it had requested, so MP Xavier Dubois boycotted the second reading. However, his group leader, Aurore Tourneur, did defend the amendments in the House Home Affairs Committee.

This enabled the majority to approve the bill after all, with the support of the Flemish liberal opposition party Anders. Although they, too, called for further amendments.

The left-wing opposition parties voted against. The far-right Vlaams Belang abstained. According to MP Francesca Van Belleghem, the law has been “so watered down by coalition negotiations that it will have virtually no effect in practice”.

‘This was a sensitive bill for several government parties: that’s no secret. In practice, there was an absolute need for this,’ concludes Van Bossuyt.

The bill must now be put to a vote during a plenary session, where the law can be definitively approved.

Speaking to Belga, the minister warned local authorities that have already announced they will not permit home visits, such as Leuven. “Be fully aware of what that choice means. If you refuse to implement this law and things go wrong, do not point the finger at the federal government afterwards. Because then you will be jeopardising the safety of your own residents” she said.

Source: VRT.BE

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Trump rules out new Iran attack before US midterm elections

Published

19 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

President Donald Trump ruled out Thursday attacking Iran before the US midterms on November 3, saying Washington was holding “productive discussions” with Tehran.

Trump’s announcement on his Truth Social platform followed a surge in oil prices driven by media reports suggesting potential new US strikes prior to the elections.

“I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both economically and militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect…we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections,” he wrote.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.

The Atlantic magazine reported on Wednesday that the White House had asked the Pentagon to develop options to strike Iranian targets that could be used before the midterms.

The New York Times said Thursday the plans were being developed despite Trump’s “ambivalence.”

The surge in crude oil prices has also been fueled by persistent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic chokepoint for the global oil trade — as well as hostilities between Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

Polls suggest American voters are strongly dissatisfied with fuel prices, which have soared since US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28 triggered the conflict.

Brent North Sea crude, the international benchmark, rallied to as high as $105.88 a barrel on Thursday before retreating to $104.28.

– Putin vows to help –

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Thursday to “do everything” to help end the Middle East war when he met Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian for talks ahead of a regional summit, Russian media reported.

“We are ready to do everything that is in our power to contribute to the settlement of this situation,” Putin said after arriving in Turkmenistan for a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) that starts Friday in the Caspian Sea resort of Avaza.

He added that Iran had made “real efforts to end the war,” according to Russian news agencies.

Russia and Iran have reinforced diplomatic and military links since Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, becoming increasingly reliant on each other.

Trump has repeatedly insisted in recent weeks that the United States has effectively won the Iran war, despite ongoing unrest and a recent security threat that forced the withdrawal of American bombers from a base in England.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted Tehran was “engaged in dialogue, but every time we negotiate with the United States, they attack again”, Iranian state media quoted him as saying at the talks with Putin.

Pezeshkian said the Islamic republic wanted to see a “final framework” to end the war.

But he accused the United States of “trying to impose its policies and views on all countries”.

“If the United States insists on pursuing a unilateral approach, a resolution will not be possible,” he said, according to state media.

– Approaching election –

The midterm elections will shape the final two years of Trump’s presidential term as his Republican Party risks losing its current grip on Congress.

Although Trump is not on the ballot, he is holding numerous rallies in an attempt to limit the damage or even turn the political tide.

Trump has warned he faces a possible third impeachment if Democrats retake the House of Representatives, and the White House is preparing for a slew of investigations into corruption and abuse of power.

The US president also sought to calm a furor on Thursday over his comments at a rally earlier this week that Iran could “take out” the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.

The 80-year-old blamed the “fake and artificial news” for misinterpreting the remarks, which Democrats pounced on.

“In actuality, what I was talking about was that a temporary increase in the price of Gasoline is a small price to pay for Iran not having a Nuclear Weapon and, if you want to see a big price, can you imagine what it would be like if they bombed San Diego and/or Los Angeles?” Trump said on Truth Social.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

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INEC displays voter register, begins PVC distribution ahead of 2027 elections

Published

20 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced the display of the preliminary register of voters and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards across states as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The seven-day exercise, which begins on Friday and runs through October 15, will allow registered voters to verify their details, raise claims and objections, and collect PVCs from the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration conducted between August and December 2025.

In Plateau and Sokoto states, the respective Resident Electoral Commissioners announced that the exercise would take place at Registration Area centres, with PVC collection continuing at INEC offices at the local government level after the display period.

In a statement by the Plateau REC, Prof. Sam Egwu, made available to journalists in Jos on Thursday, the commission said the exercise was pursuant to Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates it to display the voter register not less than 90 days before the general elections.

He said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission, Plateau State, wishes to inform the good people of Plateau State that the commission will commence display of the Preliminary Register of Voters, attend to the hearing of claims and objections as well as collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) simultaneously in all the 207 Registration Areas in the state, from the 9th to 15th of October 2026 (7 days and weekends inclusive). Time is 9 am -3 pm daily.”

The statement asked all registered voters to take advantage of the opportunity to check their details.

“All registered voters are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to carefully check information they provided, such as their names, photographs, date of birth, polling units and other relevant registration details to make necessary claims and objections within this stipulated period as an accurate voter register is important for free and credible elections,” the REC said.

He further disclosed that PVCs from the first phase of the CVR exercise conducted from August 18, 2025 to December 10, 2025, would be available for collection during the exercise.

In Sokoto, the REC, Umar Garba, while briefing journalists on the commission’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, said the exercise was part of INEC’s activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

Garba, who was at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, said the commission was committed to ensuring that eligible voters were given the opportunity to verify their registration details and collect their PVCs.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission will commence the display of the preliminary register of voters for claims and objections, as well as the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards from the 9th to the 15th of October 2026,” Garba said.

He said PVCs relating to lost or damaged cards, transfers, updates and registrations conducted during the second and third phases of the CVR were not yet ready for collection.

Garba said the commission would announce when the affected PVCs became available.

He added that after the exercise at the Registration Area level ended on October 15, distribution would continue at INEC offices in the 23 local government areas of the state.

“This will enable eligible voters who could not collect their cards at the Registration Area level to do so,” he said.

On security, Garba said INEC had continued to take the advice of security agencies into consideration throughout the voter registration process.

“Throughout the registration of voters held recently, the commission took the advice of security agencies very seriously. This contributed to a safe process without any casualties,” he said.

He assured eligible voters that INEC would work to ensure that PVCs were distributed across the state.

On internally displaced persons, Garba said the commission was engaging security agencies to establish the number of IDPs in Sokoto and determine how they could participate in the 2027 elections.

“The commission is always talking with security agencies to ascertain the number of IDPs in the state. We are working to ensure that they vote once they are in official and recognised camps,” he said.

The REC also said INEC would release the total number of registered voters in Sokoto State at the appropriate time.

Source: punchng.com

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