News
JOHESU suspends nationwide strike after 84 days following agreement with FG
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has called off its nationwide strike, ending an industrial action that kept public health services disrupted for 84 days.
Union leaders reached the decision on Friday after an expanded emergency meeting of the national executive council (NEC) in Abuja. They met to assess the outcome of Thursday’s conciliation talks with the federal government at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
JOHESU launched the indefinite strike on November 15, 2025, accusing the federal government of repeatedly failing to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and neglecting long-standing welfare and systemic concerns in the health sector.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the union said it suspended the strike to give room for the execution of the agreements reached with the government.
“After exhaustive deliberations, the expanded NEC unanimously voted to suspend the ongoing nationwide strike and allow for the implementation of the FG–JOHESU terms of settlement,” the communiqué said.
The union thanked Nigerians for their patience and acknowledged the hardship caused by the shutdown of health services. It said a breakdown of trust and persistent injustice forced the strike, urging authorities to act more responsibly to avoid similar crises.
JOHESU leaders revealed that negotiations intensified in January, with review meetings held on January 15 and 22 with officials of the Federal Ministry of Health. During those sessions, both sides exchanged proposals aimed at resolving the dispute.
The breakthrough came on February 5, 2026, when an emergency conciliation meeting took place following a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Under the agreement, the federal government committed to capturing funding for the CONHESS adjustment in the 2026 Appropriation Act. Officials also agreed to withdraw the “no work, no pay” directive and immediately pay January 2026 salaries owed to JOHESU members.
JOHESU also secured assurances that authorities would not victimise or sanction any worker who joined the strike.
The union represents thousands of health and allied workers nationwide, including members of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, and non-academic staff unions in teaching hospitals and research institutions.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it will sustain salary payments for up to 12 months to families of personnel who die in the line of duty.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, approved the welfare initiative as part of measures to strengthen support for families of fallen personnel.
A credible NAF source who pleaded anonymity disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.
He said the policy, which provided a special extension of salary payments to the spouses or next of kin of NAF personnel killed in action, would help cushion the impact of their loss.
He explained that, in line with existing public service rules, salary payments normally cease upon the death of a personnel member.
According to him, the new initiative will see salaries of personnel killed in the line of duty continue for up to 12 months from the date of death, or until all death benefits are fully processed and paid, whichever comes first.
The official said the initiative was designed to prevent financial hardship for bereaved families during the period of administrative processing of death benefits.
He added that the CAS had also approved additional welfare packages for officers, airmen and airwomen of the service.
“These measures are aimed at cushioning the prevailing economic pressures and reinforcing the NAF’s commitment to the wellbeing of its personnel.
“These initiatives are also part of a broader welfare reform agenda anchored on the understanding that the wellbeing of personnel and their families is a strategic enabler of combat effectiveness.
“Enhanced welfare drives effective warfare, ensuring that no airman is left unequipped, untrained or unmotivated,” he said.
The source further said that the initiatives reaffirmed the NAF’s resolve to honour the sacrifices of fallen heroes, support the families they left behind and sustain a motivated and mission-ready force.
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has directed the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to distribute rice across all states of the federation in support of citizens observing the ongoing Ramadan and Lenten seasons.
The initiative is intended to strengthen national unity and demonstrate compassion during a period that holds deep spiritual significance for both Muslims and Christians.
A statement issued by the Director-General, Renewed Hope Ambassadors and governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma explained that “under the directive, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors will coordinate the distribution through their nationwide grassroots network to ensure that families across Nigeria benefit from the intervention during this holy season when both Muslims and Christians are fasting.”
According to the statement: “It is worth noting that a similar intervention was carried out during the last Christmas season, when rice was also distributed to support Nigerians celebrating the festive period.
“This continued effort reflects the administration’s consistent commitment to standing with citizens during important religious and cultural seasons.
“Both Christian and Muslim communities will receive rice as part of the nationwide distribution effort, reflecting the President’s commitment to inclusivity, solidarity, and shared national values.”
Commenting on the initiative, Governor Uzodimma said the programme underscored the President’s belief in supporting citizens during this period of fasting while strengthening interfaith harmony.
He said: “This initiative reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to unity and compassion. Ramadan and Lent are seasons that remind us of sacrifice, charity, and care for one another. Through this distribution, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors will ensure that families across Nigeria feel the spirit of togetherness during this sacred period.”
The statement concluded by saying that the distribution will be carried out across nationwide through the state, local government, and ward structures of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to ensure broad reach and transparency.
The Police Command in Osun says it has arrested two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) in connection with a shooting incident that left a driver dead in Osogbo.
This was contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Sunday.
Ojelabi explained that the two officers of the NCS were arrested in connection with a shooting incident that occurred at Dada Estate Area, Osogbo, on Sunday.
“The suspects were reportedly chasing suspected tokunbo (foreign-used) vehicles when the incident occurred.
“Meanwhile, the driver of the said ash-coloured Toyota Corolla, one of the vehicles being chased by the Customs officers, was shot and confirmed dead by a medical doctor at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital,” he said.
The command’s spokesperson said that the corpse of the yet-to-be-identified victim had been deposited in a morgue.
Ojelabi said several items were recovered from the scene, including a Beretta pistol with breech number 125024, 11 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one expanded 9mm shell.
Other items recovered were a white Toyota Corolla with Lagos registration number AAA 400 GQ, and an ash Toyota Corolla with registration number GFQ 0982.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had ordered a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He assured members of the public that anyone found culpable would face the full wrath of the law.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that can aid the investigation.
Troops Bust Terrorists’ Tax Collection Scheme in Yobe
NAF approves 12 months salary payment for families of fallen personnel
Tinubu directs nationwide distribution of rice for Ramadan, Lent
-
News22 hours ago2027: Gov of Bauchi reportedly planning to abandon PDP for APC this week
-
News22 hours agoUK-bound 74-year-old grandad arrested at Abuja airport with 11kg cocaine in balloons+Photos
-
News22 hours agoWatch how NDLEA operatives politely educate grandpa nabbed with cocaine (Video)
-
News19 hours agoMidnight fire engulfs Jos main market destroying ten shops
-
News5 hours agoUK releases programme for President Tinubu’s State visit
-
News21 hours agoNPA wins Champions Newspaper’s “Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025”
-
News15 hours agoRep Dasuki dumps PDP, joins ADC
-
News21 hours agoJournalists are professionals deserving Respect- IGP Disu