News
Abuja nurses protest new certificate verification guidelines

By Francesca Hangeior
Nurses under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, on Monday, protested against the new verification certification guidelines released by the Nigeria and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
The nurses expressed displeasure over what they described as an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities, asking the council to address nurses’ welfare, salary scale, shortage of staff, and other rights.
The protest monitored by our correspondent was carried out at the NMCN’s office in Abuja.
The NMCN had on February 7, 2024, issued a circular revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives.
The council’s circular was released after The PUNCH reported the deactivation of the verification portal on NMCN’s website since December 2023.
The circular signed by the Registrar of the council, Dr Faruk Abubakar, read in part, “A non-refundable fee per application shall be paid for verification to foreign boards of nursing as specified on the portal. This shall cover the cost of courier services to the applicant’s institution(s) of training, place of work, and foreign board.
“Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years post qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing licence. Any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected outright.
“The council shall request a letter of good standing from the chief executive officer of the applicant’s place(s) of work and the last nursing training institution attended and responses on these shall be addressed directly to the Registrar/CEO, NMCN. Please note that the council shall not accept such letter(s) through the applicant.”
The council also stated that applicants must have active practising licences with a minimum of six months to the expiration date, and processing of verification applications would take a minimum of six months.
It added that the implementation of the guidelines takes effect from March 1, 2024
Meanwhile, on Monday, the nurses and midwives were at the NMCN office singing and wielding placards around the premises .
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “Address unemployment among nurses, address quakery, address nurses welfare, and “#No to verification rules. Stop frustrating the Nigerian nurses, we are going through a lot already, Protect nurses, protect healthcare, NMCN, we say no to the verification rules, NMCN, don’t reduce nurses” among others.
News
China Reaffirms One-China Principle, Commend Support From Nigeria

News
Senator Natasha on FB listed 3 politicians that should be arrested if anything happens to her

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken to her verified Facebook page to raise a serious alarm, alleging that her life is in danger following a reported attack on her family house in Kogi State.
In the strongly worded post, the Kogi-born lawmaker fingered some high-ranking political figures in Nigeria, declaring that should anything happen to her, the Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, and the current state Governor, Usman Ododo, should be held accountable.
“Nigeria Police, I reiterate, should any harm befall me, Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ex Gov. Yahaya Bello & Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi state should be held responsible,” she posted.
Her statement comes, hours after her family home in Kogi was attacked, although details surrounding the incident remain sketchy as of the time of filing this report.
Recall that this is not the first time the Kogi senator is making such allegations against the trio. She made the same statement few weeks ago during her homecoming to Kogi State where she accused the senate president, Akpabio and Yahaya Bello for plotting evil against her.
Senator Natasha has been a vocal political figure and critic of the ruling establishment in Kogi, and this latest development adds to the growing tension in the state and national political landscape.
Authorities are yet to issue an official response to her recent allegations.
News
Emergency Rule: We should be thankful to President Tinubu -Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, saying he wanted the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the oil-rich state.
In a move that has continued to divide opinions, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly following months of political crisis in Rivers State.
But Wike said the president’s move saved Rivers from implosion, arguing that the decision to appoint a sole administrator following Fubara’s suspension was a step in the right direction.
The former Rivers governor said this on Friday in Abuja during a media parley with select journalists.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state.” Wike said.
However, people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him.
“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”
In February, the Supreme Court waded into the months-long political crisis in Rivers State, asking the Martin Amaewhule-led members of the state’s House of Assembly to resume sitting.
The apex court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop releasing funds to the Rivers State government over what it labelled as disregard for court orders. It dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker and asked the governor to re-present the budget to the lawmakers.
After weeks of back and forth between Amaewhule and the lawmakers over the budget re-presentation and moves to impeach Fubara, President Tinubu stepped in.
He suspended Fubara and his deputy and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, citing security reasons. Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as the sole administrator, a step Wike said saved Rivers.
“Mr president came in and saved the situation, saved Rivers people from that calamity and anarchy,” the FCT minister argued.
-
News12 hours ago
Tinubu Remains Engaged In Governance From Europe, Will Return After Easter – Presidency
-
News22 hours ago
Abuja light rail project must be commissioned on May 29-Wike vows
-
News22 hours ago
Just in: Alleged Herdsmen Armed With AK-47 Rifles Take Over Communities In Benue State
-
News12 hours ago
First Lady Convoy Kills Seven-Year-Old Girl In Ondo State
-
News22 hours ago
SEYI Tinubu Speaks On Alleged Abduction, Brutalization Of NANS President Atiku Abubakar Isah
-
Foreign12 hours ago
Trump To Close US Embassies In South Sudan, France, Others
-
News4 hours ago
Emergency Rule: We should be thankful to President Tinubu -Wike
-
News11 hours ago
NJC investigates 18 Imo judges over suspected age falsification