By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for medical doctors and other healthcare professionals in Nigeria, extending it from 60 to 65 years.

The announcement was made by the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Mannir Bature, in a statement released on Wednesday. He also confirmed that the president has sanctioned the allocation of funds to clear outstanding arrears owed to healthcare workers.

Policy Implementation and Final Approval
Dr. Bature revealed that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has been directed to formally present the approval to the Council on Establishment through the Office of the Head of Service for final ratification.

According to him, the policy shift was conveyed by Prof. Pate during a key meeting with NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, alongside major stakeholders in the health sector.

Payment of Outstanding Salary Adjustments
In addition to the retirement age extension, the minister confirmed that payments related to adjustments in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) would soon be disbursed.

Dr. Bature noted that President Tinubu has authorized updates to both the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) to reflect the new minimum wage implementation.

“The necessary funds have been secured, and disbursement to beneficiaries will commence soon,” Bature stated.

He emphasized that the corrections are in the final stages, ensuring long-awaited financial relief for doctors and healthcare professionals. This policy update is expected to positively impact members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), leading to better remuneration and improved healthcare service delivery across the country.

Implications for the Healthcare Sector
This development is seen as a strategic move to address brain drain in the healthcare sector by improving working conditions and financial incentives for medical professionals. With the new retirement age and salary adjustments, the government aims to retain experienced personnel, enhance healthcare services, and ensure a more sustainable workforce in the medical field.

The implementation of these reforms is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, fostering better motivation and productivity among healthcare workers nationwide.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Lagos State Traffic Management Authority officer has sustained severe injuries after being hit by a fully loaded trailer due to reckless driving

This was made known in a statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, on Wednesday.

The officer was said to be on his way to official duty when the trailer, registered in Bauchi State, lost control while speeding along the Ogba corridor, resulting in a collision.

The impact was said to have caused a serious fracture to the officer’s right leg and hand, ultimately leading to an emergency amputation at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

The statement disclosed that the trailer driver fled the scene but was swiftly apprehended by security operatives from Ojodu Police Station, working in coordination with LASTMA officials.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has unequivocally condemned the egregious recklessness of a fully loaded trailer driver, whose imprudent speeding and subsequent loss of vehicular control culminated in a devastating accident at the Ojodu Berger axis of Lagos.

“The tragic incident transpired while the LASTMA officer was en route to commence his afternoon duty, underscoring the perilous consequences of careless driving on public roads.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the ill-fated trailer, bearing Bauchi State registration number KTG 33 ZZ, originated from Agidingbi by Oba Ogunji Road en route to Omole Junction in the Ogba corridor when the driver, operating at an alarmingly high velocity, lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a catastrophic collision.

“The sheer impact of the crash inflicted severe trauma on the LASTMA officer, leading to a grievous fracture of his right leg and hand. Upon emergency medical assessment at the Surgical Emergency Centre of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), attending specialists determined that the extent of the injuries necessitated an immediate amputation of his right leg.

“In a brazen attempt to evade justice, the culpable trailer driver absconded from the scene. However, through the concerted efforts of security operatives from Ojodu Police Station, in collaboration with vigilant LASTMA officials, he was swiftly apprehended.”

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, has visited the hospitalised officer at LASUTH, and condemed the incident.

He emphasised that such a calamity could have been averted had the driver exercised due diligence and adhered to fundamental road safety protocols.

“He admonished trailer and truck operators, alongside all motorists, to uphold a heightened sense of safety consciousness, stressing the inestimable value of human life,” the statement added.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Naira yesterday appreciated to N1,595 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,610 per dollar on Monday.

Thus the Naira has recorded N45 week-on-week, WoW appreciation from N1,640 per dollar Tuesday last week.

Though the Naira was stable at N1,499 per dollar in the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), yesterday, it however recorded N27.3 WoW appreciation from N1,526.3 per dollar last Tuesday.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate narrowed to N96 per dollar from N113.7 per dollar Tuesday last week.

The Naira has been on the upward trend since Thursday January 23rd, when it appreciated to N1,665 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,670 per dollar on Wednesday January 22nd.

Similarly, the Naira in the official market appreciated on Thursday January 23rd, to N1,548 per dollar from N1,553 per dollar on Wednesday January 22nd.

Since then, the Naira had gained N75 and N54 in the parallel and official market respectively.

Currency traders attributed the upward trend of the Naira to weak dollar demand occasioned by the Chinese New Year holiday.

It was also gathered that banks are now honouring customer requests for Personal Travel Allowance, PTA, and Business Travel Allowance, BTA. Previously, most banks seldom honour customers’ forex requests for PTA and