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JUST IN: Resident doctors suspend protest

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned protest and picketing of the Federal Ministry of Health, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation as well as all Federal and State tertiary health institutions nationwide.

The decision was taken after a long meeting with the Federal Government, which lasted into Tuesday night.

After meeting with the Executive arm of the Government, which was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Health Dr Salma Anas, among other government officials and the leadership of the National Assembly, the National Executive Council (NEC) of NARD decided to shelve their planned protest with the view of reviewing progress made towards their demands in 72 hours.

The President of NARD Dr. Emeka Orji confirmed this to The Nation in a chat.

He said: “The planned protest slated for tomorrow (Wednesday) has been suspended. We will review again in 72 hours.”

A few days ago, the doctors’ association announced it would begin a national protest and picketing from Wednesday by 10:00am.

NMA President Dr. Uche Ojinmah, in a statement, further admonished the government to eschew all punitive responses in the interest of industrial harmony.

He said: “The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) as the umbrella body for all doctors in Nigeria is the mother association to the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and hence as a matter of policy must protect/promote her interest.

“It is our belief that this avoidable labour dispute has gone on for far too long to the detriment of the common Nigerian citizen.

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“We hereby call on our Government to quickly conclude measures to resolve all areas of disagreement and eschew all punitive responses in the interest of industrial harmony.

“NMA also calls on NARD to extend a gesture of goodwill towards the Government in the interest of our suffering patients and fellow citizens.

“Let’s put aside all obstacles (contrived or real) towards speedy resolution of this dispute for the love of the Nation. A better Nigeria is a tangible reality if we all do right by this nation.”

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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Health

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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