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NARD demands rescue of doctor abducted seven months ago

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued a two-week ultimatum to the government for the unconditional release of its member, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped seven months ago at the Senior Staff Quarters of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.

NARD said industrial harmony could not be guaranteed if Popoola’s release was not secured within two weeks.

The ultimatum was contained in a communique issued on Tuesday after NARD’s National Executive Council meeting in Katsina.

The NEC meeting, with the theme ‘The Nigerian economy and its impact on residency training: Challenges and opportunities for a robust healthcare system,’ held between July 22 and 27, 2024.

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The communique was signed by the association’s President, Dr Dele Abdullahi; Secretary-General, Dr Christopher Anaduaka; and the Public and Social Secretary, Dr John Egbe.

Our correspondent gathered that Popoola was abducted on December 27, 2023, at about 1 am within the Senior Staff Quarters at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.

She was abducted with her husband, a Squadron leader, Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew who stays with them, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy.

After several negotiations with the kidnappers, the husband was released on March 8, 2024, but the doctor and Abdul-Mugniy were not released.

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It was also gathered that since the incident, the abductors had called severally at will and occasionally to allow some family members to speak to the captives, and they were spoken to last on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, to prove that the doctor and her husband’s nephew were still alive.

The NARD expressed its anguish over the situation and called on the government to secure the doctor’s release without further delay.

“The NEC seriously frowned on the alarming increase in insecurities: Kidnapping and assault on doctors, threaten our very existence.

“The NEC observed with despair that our dear colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, and her nephew are still held in captivity for over seven months in inhumane conditions. The NEC decried their failing health while under captivity and the little to no efforts by the security agents to salvage the situation.

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“The NEC decried the nonchalant attitude of the Kaduna State government to the travails of our colleague and her nephew.

“The NEC gives an ultimatum of two weeks for the unconditional release of our colleague held captive for seven months, failure of which industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed,” the association said.

NARD also lamented the casualisation of doctors with consequent jeopardy to their welfare, and the government’s failure to implement the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure arrears for all its members.

It said, “The NEC demands immediate implementation of consequential adjustment of minimum wage along with the implementation of the new minimum wage. The NEC demands an expedited resolution of issues on 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 MRTF and all outstanding arrears.

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“The NEC appreciates the government for the quick payment of 2024 MRTF albeit noticed that some centres and individuals are yet to receive payment.

“The NEC decries the unresolved outstanding issues of MRTF 2023, 2022, and 2021. The NEC observed with appreciation the promise made by the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, to pay an extra month’s salary every month to clear the 21 months owed salaries arrears of the ABSUTH Staff,” the communique read.

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FEC approves ₦47.9tn 2025 budget

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a proposed national budget of ₦47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

This was part of the Medium-Term Expenditures Framework, MTEF, for 2025 to 2027 and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

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“And equally, the fiscal objectives were conservative, because we want to ensure that we study the course much as we believe the projections will be exceeded.

“The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the MTEP is ₦47.9 trillion, with new borrowings of ₦9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025,” Bagudu said.

“We need to sustain the market deregulation, commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate, and to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the petroleum industry act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.

“The Federal Executive Council approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the physical strategy paper, and it will be submitted to the National Assembly.

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“This is in addition to bills that are already at the National Assembly, the economic stabilization bills and tax reform bills, which we believe we will have a very, very strong growth in 2025.”

During the meeting, the FEC approved its submission to the National Assembly as required by the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The framework projected a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6 percent, an exchange rate of $75 to the naira, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. [Channels TV]

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Nigeria to get 6,000 power generation by December-Power Minister vows

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed his unwavering optimism that the government will successfully meet its ambitious target of generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2024, despite the numerous challenges currently affecting the power sector.

The Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, conveyed this assurance at the fourth edition of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s annual workshop, themed “Ending the Talk, Moving the Action,” held on Thursday in Abuja.

Nigeria’s power generation currently ranges between 3,500 and 4,000 MW for a population of approximately 200 million people. For instance, on Thursday, the country’s power generation was 3,556.38 MW as of 8 am.

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Earlier this year, Adelabu pledged that power generation in Nigeria would reach 6,000 MW by the end of the year, citing improvements in the sector over the past year.

However, the frequent collapse of the nation’s electricity grid and the vandalisation of towers have raised concerns about the stability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and its ability to achieve the target.

In his goodwill address, the Special Adviser emphasised that the minister’s primary focus remains on achieving the goal of increasing generation and ensuring its efficient distribution to consumers.

Tunji said, “The minister aims to achieve what seems to be an intractable goal—improving generation and ensuring that what is generated reaches the final consumers. There are challenges, but they are surmountable.

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“The minister has promised that by December this year, we will reach 6,000 megawatts; yes, we still hope to get there.

“We are confident that we will get there, but we are aware of the current issues with grid collapse. Efforts are being made to resolve these problems. Day and night, teams are being dispatched to address the various issues, and we remain hopeful that we will achieve the 6,000 MW target by December.”

The Director of Renewable Energy, Sunday Owolabi, also reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring 24-hour power supply for Nigerians.

Owolabi, another representative of the minister, stressed that the government’s policies are focused on resolving the challenges facing the country’s electricity transmission, distribution, and generation sub-sectors.

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“We are fully committed to transforming the country’s power sector. We are focused on ensuring that our policies are practical and sustainable. We are resolute in ensuring power supply for every Nigerian.

“The government remains fully committed to transforming Nigeria’s power sector through meaningful and actionable reforms.

“We are focused on ensuring that our policies are not only visionary but also practical, impactful, and sustainable. From the ongoing efforts to address infrastructure gaps, enhance power generation, and improve transmission networks, to vital reforms in distribution and the full implementation of the electricity market, we are resolute in our mission to improve power supply for every Nigerian.”

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Just in: Wike sends FCDA Executive Director on indefinite suspension

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has suspended the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad indefinitely.

According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.

The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, in the FCDA.

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Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike has revealed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the construction of houses for judges in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor said the project is part of the government’s plan to provide secure housing for judges and strengthen the judiciary’s independence.

Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, the former Rivers Governor clarified that the housing project is not his personal initiative.

Wike explained that the housing scheme was included in the 2024 budget, approved by the National Assembly, and is not his personal decision.

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He added that judges currently live in rented homes, which could make them vulnerable.

He compared this to similar projects he carried out as Rivers State governor and expressed surprise at the criticism, especially from legal professionals.

Wike insisted the project is lawful and should be welcomed as a step in the right direction.

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