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Doctors Protest for Abducted Colleague, Demand Immediate Release or Face Strike

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The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) has joined the growing number of medical professionals demanding the release of their abducted colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola.

Dr Popoola, an ophthalmologist with the National Eye Center in Kaduna, was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. Although her husband was freed in March, Dr. Popoola remains in captivity.

During a peaceful protest dubbed the “Freedom Walk,” ARD members made their voices heard. Dr Adeyemi Famous, speaking on behalf of the association, urged both the federal government and the Kaduna State government, alongside security agencies, to intensify their efforts to secure the release of Dr Popoola and other medical professionals held captive across the country.

Dr Adeyemi stressed that the situation has reached a critical point, warning that if Dr Popoola is not released unharmed, the association is prepared to take more drastic action, including an industrial strike.

He pointed out that this is not an isolated incident, as a growing number of doctors—estimated between 10 to 15—have been abducted in recent times.

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“Doctors are becoming an endangered species in Nigeria,” he noted, highlighting the alarming threat faced by healthcare professionals in the country.

The doctor-to-patient ratio in Nigeria is already stretched thin, with just one doctor for every 10,000 patients, a stark contrast to the ideal ratio of one doctor per 600 patients.

This shortage of healthcare workers places immense pressure on the few doctors available, leading to burnout.

According to Dr Adeyemi, this unsustainable work environment is a major factor driving doctors to leave Nigeria for better opportunities abroad, along with poor salaries, inadequate hospital facilities, and worsening insecurity.

The safety of medical professionals, he emphasized, is paramount not only for their well-being but for the overall quality of healthcare in Nigeria.

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“We cannot afford to lose more doctors, whether to abductions or other forms of violence,” he said.

He reiterated the call for Dr Popoola’s immediate release, urging the Nigerian government and its security agencies to take swift and decisive action.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have issued a two-week ultimatum for Dr Popoola’s release, which is set to expire at the end of this week.

Should the government fail to act, the associations are prepared to embark on an indefinite strike, a decision they would rather avoid but feel compelled to make if necessary.

In response to the protest, the Chief Medical Director of Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Professor Kayode Olabanji, commended the doctors for their peaceful approach.

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He expressed deep concern over the rising rates of kidnapping and other security challenges plaguing the country.

Professor Olabanji called on the government to address the root causes of insecurity, not just for the safety of medical professionals but for the benefit of the entire population.

The ongoing abductions of doctors and other healthcare workers have not only heightened concerns within the medical community but also underscored the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare and security systems.

Many fear that if the trend continues, it could lead to a further exodus of skilled professionals, leaving the country’s already fragile healthcare system in even greater jeopardy.


 

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Teenage Girl Sues JAMB After Being Forced to Remove Her Hijab Before UTME Exam

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A teenage girl, Lawal Hameedat Adenike, has filed a lawsuit against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the PEFTI Centre after allegedly being forced to remove her hijab before sitting for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The suit was filed by her mother and legal representative, Basirat Ojo, who spoke to journalists in Abuja about the distressing incident. Ojo explained that on April 25, 2025, at the PEFTI CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, her daughter was told she could not take the exam unless she removed her hijab, which she wears as a religious obligation. Ojo described the experience as humiliating and emotionally distressing for her daughter, adding that it was a clear violation of her rights.

The lawsuit is seeking a public apology from both JAMB and PEFTI, to be published in two national newspapers. Additionally, it calls for compensation for the rights violation and a court ruling that any policy requiring female candidates to remove their hijabs is unconstitutional.

Lawal’s lawyer, Qousim Opakunle, emphasized that the case is based on constitutional rights. He argued that the directive violated Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, especially for minors who are vulnerable to such injustices.


 

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JAMB 2025: Nigerians Cry Out as Students Get Shockingly Low Jamb Scores

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Many Nigerians are expressing deep concern over the poor performance recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), following the release of the results by JAMB on Friday. Social media has since been flooded with reactions from worried parents, students, and education stakeholders, many of whom believe the scores don’t reflect the true efforts of the candidates.

One user, Oluwaseun, took to X to voice his frustration, sharing a screenshot of a student named Egbaze Victoria who allegedly scored 295 in last year’s UTME but shockingly got 132 this year. “Something is seriously wrong with these results,” he wrote. “These scores don’t reflect the abilities or track records of these students.”

Another user, Chukwuma Pius, also shared his frustration, claiming JAMB sent his daughter a result that doesn’t belong to her. “This is heartbreaking,” he said. “As a retired teacher, I know what she’s capable of. The result they sent cannot be hers.”

These complaints come after JAMB disclosed that over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200 this year, sparking widespread calls for an investigation into the entire process. Reacting to the controversy, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi described the outcome of this year’s UTME as worrisome and emphasized the need for urgent reforms in the education sector.


 

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JAMB Withholds Over 39,000 UTME Results Over Exam Malpractice

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JAMB has officially released the results for the 2025 UTME, but not without controversy. According to the board, results of 39,834 candidates have been withheld over suspected exam malpractices.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made the announcement at the board’s headquarters in Bwari, explaining that investigations are ongoing. He also revealed that around 80 individuals are currently under scrutiny for various exam-related offences, with Anambra State topping the list of those being investigated.


 

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