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BREAKING: Medical practitioners vow to begin nationwide strike on Thursday

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As the 21-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government draws to a close on July 23, the Nigerian Medical Association has warned it will ground medical services nationwide if the government fails to meet its demands.

Its President, Prof Bala Audu, who confirmed thison Sunday, noted that the association was prepared to take decisive action should the government fail to respond adequately to its demands.

Prof Audu stressed that the association’s demands were critical to the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the welfare of medical professionals across the country.

The NMA had, on July 2, issued an ultimatum in protest against a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on revised allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service, which the doctors kicked against for violating prior agreements.

The association issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw the circular and meet its other demands to avert industrial action in the health sector.

“We have made our position clear. The ultimatum ends on July 23, and if the Federal Government does not address our demands, we may have no choice but to proceed with a strike,” he said.

According to him, the circular contains provisions that were not mutually agreed upon and which undermine the remuneration and welfare of medical professionals.

“We have rejected that circular outright. We expect that any new directive affecting our members should be the outcome of mutual consultation, not something imposed,” he stated.

Prof Audu disclosed that the NMA had been engaging with the Federal Government to avert a crisis.

“The last meeting happened two weeks ago and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate; the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako; the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Hospital Services, and the representative of minister of labour were at the meeting, and some affiliate of the NMA were present, and I was part of that meeting as well.

“However, he felt that we should go for a further meeting, and another meeting was slated for last week, unfortunately, in the week, we lost the former President Muhammadu Buhari, so the meeting couldn’t be held.

“However, the next meeting is supposed to happen between us, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which issued a circular that we feel is obnoxious, and we have rejected it. We would also meet with the Ministry of Finance and representatives from the Ministry of Health,” he added.

The NMA president expressed concern that time was running out, adding that unless the meeting was held within the next few days, the association may be left with no other alternative but industrial action.

“We expect that after the funeral ceremonies, government stakeholders will reconvene with us, hopefully by Monday. Otherwise, the 21-day ultimatum still stands.

“If the government fails to prioritise this matter, a strike may be inevitable,” he added.

The Katsina State NMA branch, in a communique issued after its State Executive Council meeting, expressed “grave disappointment” and “unequivocal condemnation” over the circular.

The meeting, held in Katsina, on Saturday, noted that “NMA Katsina State branch hereby rejects National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission’s (NSIWC) circular (SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646) dated 27th June, 2025 on review of allowances for medical/dental officers in the federal public service and demands urgent government withdrawal action and fulfillment of all the demands.

”The communique, made available to newsmen on Sunday, was jointly signed by the Chairman, NMA Katsina, Dr Muhammadu Sani and Secretary, Dr Yahya Salisu.

The association warned that it could not guarantee non-disruption of health services if their demands were not met.

Health

Lagos Shuts Down YABATECH Sewage Plant Over Unauthorized Waste Discharge

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The Lagos State Government has sealed the sewage and wastewater treatment facility at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) following allegations that the institution was discharging raw, untreated sewage into the environment in violation of state environmental laws.

The enforcement action was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), operating under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, after the college reportedly ignored multiple warning letters and failed to address long-standing environmental compliance issues.

Announcing the development, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the college’s actions constituted a serious breach of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017. The law explicitly prohibits the discharge of untreated wastewater or sewage into public drains, canals, or any part of the natural environment.

“The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed off the non-functional sewage and wastewater treatment facility of Yaba College of Technology due to its illegal discharge of raw sewage into the environment,” Wahab said in a statement.

He described the situation as a major public health risk, noting that untreated human waste contributes to the contamination of water sources, the spread of waterborne diseases, and general environmental degradation. Wahab emphasized that institutions, whether public or private, are not exempt from compliance with environmental laws and standards.

“Illegal discharge of wastewater not only endangers the health of residents but also undermines our efforts to maintain a sustainable, safe, and flood-resilient Lagos. The state government has zero tolerance for environmental infractions and will continue to enforce compliance,” the commissioner said.

#ZeroToleranceLagos Campaign

The sealing of YABATECH’s facility forms part of the state’s ongoing #ZeroToleranceLagos campaign—an initiative aimed at holding individuals, businesses, and institutions accountable for environmental violations. According to the Ministry, the campaign is designed to protect public health, improve environmental quality, and reduce pollution across Lagos.

Officials from the Wastewater Management Office said they had repeatedly engaged YABATECH’s management before resorting to enforcement. Technical guidance and timelines for achieving compliance were provided, but the institution allegedly failed to take corrective action.

Broader Enforcement Actions Across Lagos

In a related development, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has continued its crackdown on environmental violators across the state. On Thursday, the agency sealed 11 establishments in the Ikorodu area for various infractions, including persistent noise pollution, improper waste disposal, and failure to obtain necessary environmental permits.

The affected businesses include bars, hotels, lounges, and industrial facilities. Among those sealed are Zero Square Bar & Lounge, Limpex Resources, Starex Poly, Skipper Nigeria Ltd, NDO Hotel & Suites, Beechwood Guest House, Embassy Lounge, and A-Star Pencil.

The enforcement operation targeted several key areas in Ikorodu, such as Agodo Gas Line, Odogunyan Industrial Layout, Ita Oluwo Junction, Haruna, Ipakodo Road, and Ebute.

LASEPA stated that the crackdown is part of a broader effort to promote environmental responsibility and ensure that all sectors adhere to the state’s environmental protection framework.

Commitment to Sustainable Development

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to creating a healthier and more livable environment for its residents. Officials say that environmental compliance is central to the state’s climate resilience agenda and a critical step toward achieving its goals for a cleaner, greener Lagos.

Commissioner Wahab urged all public institutions, private companies, and individuals to align with the state’s environmental policies, warning that non-compliance would attract strict penalties, including fines, facility closures, and potential legal action.

“Lagos is committed to enforcing all existing environmental laws. Institutions must lead by example, and no one is above the law when it comes to protecting our environment,” Wahab added.

The situation at YABATECH serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental negligence and the growing resolve of the Lagos State Government to ensure strict enforcement of environmental standards across the state.

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JUST IN: Doctors in FCT Commence Indefinite Strike Over Outstanding Issues

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The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration on Monday began an indefinite strike on Monday.

This was disclosed in a communique issued by the ARD-FCT on Monday, signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, and General-Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong.

The association had embarked on a seven-day warning strike last Monday to press home its demands, following months of unresolved negotiations with the FCTA.

Details later.

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Health

Overworked RSUTH Resident Doctor Slump, Dies on Duty

What happened is that he was on call in the Emergency Room. Afterward, he went to the call room to rest, and it was there that he died. Unfortunately, he was the only one attending to the patients.

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Dr Oluwafemi Rotifa, a young resident doctor at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) collapsed and died after a gruelling 72-hour call duty.

Ohibaba.com reliably gathered that the deceased doctor, fondly called Femoski by colleagues, was a former President of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association, PUMSA, and was registered with the United Kingdom’s General Medical Council, awaiting placement abroad.

The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, who confirmed Rotifa’s death, said that the deceased doctor had been on continuous call duty for three days in the Emergency Room before he retreated to the call room to rest.

It was there that he slumped and later died, despite efforts to resuscitate him in the Intensive Care Unit.

“What happened is that he was on call in the Emergency Room. Afterward, he went to the call room to rest, and it was there that he died. Unfortunately, he was the only one attending to the patients.

“The overuse of manpower strained his health and led to this painful death. It was a death on duty,” Osundara lamented.

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