The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCTA), Abuja, has officially called off its warning strike after intervention from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

In a statement released on Friday evening, the President of the Association, Dr. George Ebong, confirmed that the FCTA had met the doctors’ demands under Wike’s leadership.

This followed a strike action that began on Wednesday, which had seen doctors suspend services at all FCTA-owned hospitals due to unpaid salary arrears and other unresolved issues.

Dr. Ebong shared that members had begun receiving alerts for the six months’ salary arrears owed to them.

He also highlighted other significant resolutions, including the approval for the immediate payment of outstanding accoutrement allowances, the approval of medical residency bonding for two years, and the employment of new doctors and health workers to address the severe shortage in the sector.

Additionally, the Minister’s intervention ensured the immediate payment of owed locum doctors and health workers.

With these issues addressed, Dr. Ebong announced that doctors would resume work on Saturday, January 25, 2025, and expressed gratitude for the Minister’s swift action, which prevented a more prolonged shutdown of healthcare services in Abuja.

However, he urged the Minister to resolve other pending issues, such as hazard allowance payments, the rehabilitation of healthcare facilities, and the upgrading of post-part 2 doctors to consultant cadre, to prevent future strike actions.

On behalf of the doctors, Dr. Ebong expressed appreciation for Wike’s intervention and reiterated their commitment to supporting the Minister’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” in transforming the healthcare sector in Abuja into a model for others to follow.

He also called for a visit to district hospitals to see the challenges faced by frontline health workers firsthand.

Emeka Odogwu has been re-elected as the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council.

The highly contested election, held at the NUJ Secretariat in Awka on Friday, drew over 300 members and witnesses from across the state.

Dr. Odogwu, a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, faced off against Mrs. Ngozi Obileri of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS Chapel), who had served as his vice in the previous administration.

After a keenly contested race, Odogwu emerged victorious with 173 votes, while Obileri secured 40 votes.

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dr. Stanley Onunkwor, also announced that several other positions in the new Executive were uncontested.

Comrade Beatrice Onuchukwu, of the Correspondents’ Chapel, was the only candidate for Vice Chairman, while Dr. Okechukwu Onuegbu, of the Correspondents’ Chapel, ran unopposed for Secretary.

Comrade Chinyere Vera Ogbuagu, from the State Information Chapel, was the sole candidate for Assistant Secretary.

In the contest for Financial Secretary, Grace Onwukwe of the State Information Chapel emerged victorious without opposition. Chibuzo Wisdom Obidike, representing ABS Chapel, won the position of Treasurer with 168 votes, defeating Comrade Ogemdi Ozoemena, who garnered 45 votes.

The newly elected officers were sworn in by Barr. ES Nonyelu in the presence of numerous NUJ members and esteemed guests.

Comrade Eze Adiuku, the Zonal Secretary of the NUJ South-East Zone C, praised the peaceful conduct of the election and congratulated Dr. Odogwu and the new Executive members.

He also encouraged the members to unite and provide full support for the newly elected leadership, reinforcing the importance of cooperation in advancing the Union’s interests.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Odogwu expressed gratitude to the Electoral Committee, voters, and observers for ensuring a smooth process.

He also thanked the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, and other key figures for their unwavering support of the Union.

Odogwu promised to prioritize the welfare of members and continue strengthening the Union during his second term.

Hon. Afam Ogene, the Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, and Chief Ebuka Onunkwor, the Labour Party senatorial aspirant for Anambra South, were present to commend the media for their role as the conscience of society and to reaffirm their support for the NUJ’s mission.

In a special session before the election, Chief Akai Egwuonwu, a philanthropist and APGA senatorial aspirant, emphasized the critical role of the media in societal progress and pledged to remain accessible to both the public and the press, should he be elected to the Senate.

He also shared his plans to address key challenges in the Anambra South Senatorial Zone, highlighting his commitment to public service.

The event was attended by various dignitaries, including the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Emeka Humphrey Nwafor, NUJ National Vice President Comrade Emma Ifesinachi, and Comrade Tita Nze, Assistant National Secretary of NUJ.

Certificates of return were presented to the new executives, and oath of office administered to them.

A 32-year-old man, Sunday Abilewa, has been accused of strangling his 68-year-old father, Abu Abilewa, in Isua Akoko, located in the Akoko South East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The incident occurred after the younger Abilewa reportedly asked his father to buy him a new motorcycle, a request which was denied.

This led to an argument, during which Sunday allegedly strangled his father.

The tragic event took place on December 31, 2024, around 5pm, at the Eberi quarters in Isua Akoko.

Inspector Abdulateef Suleiman, the police prosecutor handling the case, shared the details during a hearing at the Akure Division of the Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Suleiman noted that despite the deceased’s wife attempting to intervene and save him, her efforts were unsuccessful due to Sunday Abilewa being under the influence of hard drugs at the time of the attack.

The defendant was subsequently arrested and charged with murder, which violates Section 316 of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol.II, Laws of Ondo State, 2006, and is punishable under Section 319.

The prosecutor requested the court to grant permission to gather witnesses for the case and asked for the defendant to be remanded in custody while awaiting advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Magistrate Funke Akinboboye did not take the defendant’s plea but ordered his remand in custody pending the DPP’s advice.

The case was adjourned to February 25, 2025, for further proceedings.

Simon Ekpa, 

President Bola Tinubu has praised the Finnish government for its role in the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, saying his administration will not condone actions that threaten Nigeria’s unity and peace.

Tinubu made the remarks when he received the Letters of Credence from Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, at the State House in Abuja on Friday.

The President expressed gratitude for the Finnish authorities’ swift response, which he said helped protect the nation’s integrity and prevent actions that could have harmed the country’s peaceful coexistence.

“I must thank you for your role in safeguarding human rights with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible. We have faced difficult times, and we must not promote terrorism,” President Tinubu stated, highlighting the need for national cohesion.

He reaffirmed his commitment to stability and cooperation to foster national development.

The President emphasized the importance of the rule of law in maintaining Nigeria’s democratic values, adding that the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, had kept him well informed on the issue.

During the ceremony, Tinubu also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued.

He acknowledged the EU as a key trading partner and expressed a desire to further strengthen economic ties, urging the Ambassador to support efforts to enhance digitalization and automation in Nigeria’s public services.

The Finnish Ambassador praised President Tinubu for his bold economic reforms and noted that bilateral relations between Finland and Nigeria had improved, particularly in light of the Ekpa case, which had strained relations in the past.

President Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s ongoing reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity, thanking Finland for its humanitarian support in the Northeast and expressing hope for continued cooperation.