News
NARD Begins Nationwide Strike Over Kidnapped Doctor, Halts Medical Services
On Monday, August 26, 2024, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) initiated a nationwide 7-day warning strike across all its centers. This strike is in response to the ongoing captivity of one of their colleagues, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been held by kidnappers for over eight months.
Dr. Dele Abdullahi, the President of NARD, announced this development in a formal statement, explaining that the decision was taken during an urgent virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council, which took place on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Abdullahi made it clear that the industrial action would be comprehensive, halting all medical services, including emergency care, for the entire duration of the strike.
Dr. Popoola, who works as a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was abducted along with her husband and nephew nearly eight months ago.
While her husband was released in March, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity, a situation that has deeply concerned both NARD and the wider medical community.
The doctors are demanding her immediate release, alongside improved security measures to protect medical professionals, particularly in high-risk areas.
The strike is intended to draw attention to these issues and pressurize the government to act swiftly. With no medical services being rendered during the strike, including emergency treatments, the situation could have significant implications for patients nationwide.
NARD has emphasized that the strike is a necessary step in the face of increasing insecurity and the government’s perceived lack of urgency in securing the release of Dr. Popoola.
The association further stressed that the safety of health workers must be prioritized to prevent similar incidents in the future.
News
‘He Was a Giant’ — President Tinubu Mourns Veteran Actor Olu Jacobs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to late Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs, recalling his contributions to the creative industry and his impact on Nigeria’s cultural identity.
In his tribute, Tinubu described Jacobs as a giant of the Nigerian creative industry and said “He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts. His remarkable body of work will continue to speak to generations yet unborn.
“The nation recognises the enormous contributions of Nigeria’s creative practitioners to the country’s cultural identity, global image and economic development. Olu Jacobs played a big role in creating this identity.”
News
Deji Adeyanju Demands Action From Tinubu Over Counterfeit Products
Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs and consumer products in Nigeria.
Adeyanju also called for the removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, as well as the heads of other regulatory agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“Nigerians are being exposed to dangerous products daily, from fake and substandard medicines to unsafe consumer goods, with reports of drugs being sold wholesale in the open under the hot sun. No responsible government should expose its citizens to such risks and expect mortality rates not to rise.”
Adeyanju also called out NAFDAC over what he described as failures in regulating the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products in the country.
It can be noted that various counterfeit products continue to circulate in Nigerian markets, while NAFDAC has also reported seizures and destruction of counterfeit, expired and substandard products.
News
‘Two Hours on the Road’ — Lagosians Groan Over Kara Bridge Traffic
Lagosians have lamented heavy traffic caused by ongoing construction work at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Government announced that repairs on the damaged expansion joints at Kara Bridge would begin on September 8, 2026. The project, initially scheduled to begin in August, was delayed to allow further traffic management planning due to concerns over its impact on motorists.
Since work began, traffic around the Kara area has become heavy, with Lagosians sharing updates on social media about spending two hours or more on the road.
Some commuters say the delays have made their 9-to-5 routines difficult, with several hours spent travelling to and from work.
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