The World Health Organization, WHO, has urged United States President, Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw the country from its membership.

Recall that the president, shortly after assuming office, yesterday, had signed an executive order to withdraw the country from the global health body.

He cited a string of reasons for his action, among which included WHO’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its alleged failure to adopt urgently needed reforms.

Trump further alleged that while WHO demands what he referred to as “unfairly onerous payments” from the United States, China pays less.

Reacting to the action of the United States President, the World Health Organization, said it hopes “the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”

The WHO’s reaction read:” The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization. millions of people around the globe.”

The WHO’s reaction read:” The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.

“WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.

“The United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHO’s work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board.

“For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats.

“Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO.

“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries.

This work continues. “We hope the United States will reconsider, and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe. “

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has approved the payment of the new minimum wage of 80,000 Naira to 45,000 verified public service workers, effective November 2024.

This decision comes after the submission of the report by the Committee on the Implementation of the New Minimum Wage/Personnel Verification

The payment will commence at the end of this month and will be backdated to November 1, 2024.

Governor Eno expressed his appreciation to the Committee for their hard work and requested them to extend their verification exercise to retired workers’ pension schemes.

The Nigerian Communications Commission has approved requests from network operators for tariff adjustments in response to rising operational costs, marking the first change in rates since 2013.

The decision, announced in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, on Monday, allows for a maximum adjustment of 50% to current tariffs, significantly less than the over 100% proposed by some operators.

The NCC said it is exercising its authority under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and emphasised that the new tariffs would remain within the limits outlined in its 2013 Cost Study.

According to the commission, the adjustments will also adhere to its 2024 Guidance on Tariff Simplification, ensuring transparency and fairness in implementation.

“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.

“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews.

It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.

“Tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators.

The approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised,” the statement said.

The NCC noted that the adjustment was necessary to sustain investment in infrastructure and innovation, benefiting consumers through improved services, better network quality, and wider coverage.

“This decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors,” Muoka stated, adding that the commission prioritised balancing consumer protection with industry sustainability.

While recognising the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses, the NCC mandated operators to implement the new rates transparently and educate consumers on the changes.

Operators are also required to demonstrate measurable improvements in service delivery as part of the adjustments.

“Recognising the concerns of the public, this decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

“The NCC has prioritised striking a balance between protecting telecom consumers and ensuring the sustainability of the industry, including the thousands of indigenous vendors and suppliers who form a critical part of the telecommunications ecosystem.

“The NCC recognises the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments.

To this end, the commission has mandated that operators implement these adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers. Operators are also required to educate and inform the public about the new rates while demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery,” it added.

The commission underscored its commitment to fostering a resilient and inclusive telecommunications sector.

“Beyond protecting consumers, the commission’s actions are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry, support indigenous vendors and suppliers, and promote the overall growth of Nigeria’s digital economy,” the statement added.

The NCC assured Nigerians of continued engagement with stakeholders to maintain a telecommunications environment that protects consumers while enabling the ecosystem that drives connectivity across the nation.