The Bauchi State Union of Volunteers and Temporary Health Workers has given the state government two weeks ultimatum to address their plights or their 2,897 members will be forced to go on an indefinite strike.
The health workers who are agitating for either permanent or temporary employment by the Bauchi State Government warned that if their problems are not addressed within this period, they will withdraw their voluntary services which they render in public health facilities across the 20 local government areas of the state.
The State Chairman of the Union, Yusuf Fada, who gave the ultimatum at a press conference held on Tuesday at the Cikin Fada Primary Health Care Center in Bauchi, lamented that their members head over 100 healthcare facilities across the state without monthly allowances and employment for over a decade.
According to him, although they, as volunteers, raise funds among themselves to purchase medical consumables and drugs to render free medical services to hard-to-reach areas of the state, yet, the government has not encouraged them by offering any of them employment in the health sector.
Fada, who was flanked by other executives of the union, said that the state government made five promises to the union since 2019 but none has been fulfilled to date.
He explained that they spoke to the Bauchi State governor before the election that brought him into office during his manifesto on the plights of their members who render services to vulnerable members of the society and healthcare facilities/hospitals across 20 LGAs of the state and pleaded with him to intervene when he wins.
“His reply was that he will casualize the services of volunteer health workers within 100 days in office when he becomes the governor of Bauchi state. After 365 days in office without fulfilling his promises, we sent many letters of reminder to the governor’s office, SSG’s office and Chief of Staff, but there was no response.
“Thereafter, we decided to conduct a peaceful protest in good faith, we were well organized for the planned peaceful protest on 2nd March, 2020, but on 1st March, 2020 we received a call from Chief Security Officer to the governor inviting us to have a dialogue with the government at the Government House, Bauchi, around 8:30pm between our officials and the then commissioner of health, Dr. Aliyu Maigoro,†he said.
According to him, during the meeting, the CSO assured them that they will take their plight to the governor as soon as he comes back adding that at the end of the dialogue, Maigoro “promised that His Excellency will remove the embargo on employment and recruit health workers around June to July 2020 and give 70% to 80% consideration to our members for the job slots.†He also promised that the state government will engage 450 members of our union in the Malaria Consortium Programme.
“He pleaded with us to suspend our planned peaceful demonstration promising to submit names of our members across to the governor. We fulfilled our own side of the promise by suspending the planned peaceful demonstration but to our total dismay, none of the promises made during the meeting that was summoned by the officials of the government has been fulfilled.â€
Fada said that with all these promises made by the government several times without any fulfilment, “we are becoming hopeless†especially considering that for over 10 years now, there has been no single official employment in the health sector, no replacement for over 10 years despite the exodus of health workers through retirement every month, increase in mortality rate recorded for many years.
Regrettably, government, politicians and NGO’s have built over 150 new healthcare facilities approximately within these 10 years, without employing new hands.
“With these issues as facts have shown, we are giving two weeks notice to the Bauchi State Government to pay attention to our plight or we will be forced to withdraw our services across all health facilities in the state by embarking on an indefinite strike. We are going to withdraw the services of 2,897 members of our great union in public healthcare facilities across 20 LGAs of the state.
“We do not intend to embark on strike, however, we have no any other option than to go for it after the expiration of the two weeks notice beginning from tomorrow (Wednesday), if the Govt fails to take the needed action and do the needful,†he vowed.
The Commissioner of Health, Samaila Dahuwa, in a swift reaction, said that the state government was looking into their plight with a view of employing them, as the state government was not unmindful of what they are going through.
He said, “They are volunteers meaning, they chose to volunteer not that someone asked them to. However, they are making great contributions to the health sector in Bauchi State. Nobody would be happy to get to the point of lacking manpower to the extent that people will volunteer.
“Volunteers are allowed to work so that when the government wants to employ workers, they will have an edge and be considered first. We plead with them not to withdraw their services but they should continue since they have volunteered. They should also know that the government is working on their issues and they will soon be addressed.â€
Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking group, has signed an agreement for a €100 million long-term credit facility over 9 years with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The facility affirms joint Ecobank Group and EIB targeted support for business investment across Africa, with particular support for the sectors most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ade Ayeyemi, Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Group, said: “At Ecobank we are fully committed to providing a range of initiatives that support the growth and success of Africa’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and create employment opportunities. This informed the credit facility that we have just secured from the EIB which we believe will deliver real impact in our joint mission to develop SMEs across Africa. The €100 million facility will support the recovery of African SMEs from the COVID-19 pandemic while also helping to provide them with the impetus to grasp the immense growth opportunities from the African Continental Free Trade Area vast single market. We thank the EIB for its focus and commitment to the continent.â€
Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President, European Investment Bank, said: “The EIB, as part of Team Europe, works with leading banks and financial partners across Africa to enhance private sector access to finance. This latest cooperation with Ecobank Group will help companies to better tackle challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, unlock economic and social opportunities, especially for SMEs and women-owned and women-run enterprises, across Sub-Saharan Africa in the coming weeks.â€
The facility is split into three regional facilities: West & Central Africa, Eastern Africa, and Southern Africa. Funding will be provided through Ecobank affiliates, for investment projects undertaken by private sector companies. The EIB made the facility available through its COVID-19 Rapid Response Facility, for private sector entities active in eligible productive sectors, with fewer than 3,000 employees.
The EIB loan will also be accompanied by technical assistance under the AWRI (African Women Rising Initiative) program of the EIB with gender finance focused training and capacity building for lending to women entrepreneurs, closely aligned with the Ellevate by Ecobank initiative which supports women-focused businesses across the continent. Ecobank Group and EIB both recognise the importance of ensuring access to finance by female-owned and female-focused businesses, in particular during times of economic and investment uncertainty related to COVID-19. Ecobank Group and EIB are also working on a €15 million “SME Access to Finance†Risk Sharing Facility Agreement granted by the EU’s European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD), that will support loans to SMEs worth €95 million.
This facility agreement follows on from the EIB’s signing of a €12.5 million loan to Ecobank Malawi in December 2020, to improve access to finance for SMEs in Malawi’s agricultural sector to expand, upgrade and modernise their equipment.
American Base Nigerian Musician Jimmy Sugarcane keeps doing it for the culture. His ability to fit well with Nigerian sound has made him unique and a household name in Chicago United of America and fast expanding to all Africa.
Kate Middleton is celebrating the very exciting news that her loyal long-time stylist, Natasha Archer, and her royal photographer husband, Chris Jackson, have welcomed their second child together just days before Christmas.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, Chris made the announcement by sharing an adorable picture of his eldest son, Theo, gently stroking his baby brother's head whilst he slept inside a bassinet.
He wrote: "When you come downstairs in the morning looking for Eddie the Elf and find a new baby brother.â€
Congratulatory messages follow thereafter, like: "Congratulations, Chris & Natasha!! A Christmas baby.â€
A rare "walking" handfish has been spotted for the first time in 22 years
The handfish which is native to only Australia was spotted off the Tasmanian coast.
The species has over-sized "hands" on which they "walk" along the seabed in addition to swimming, hence it's name.
The handfish was last sighted by a diver off Tasmania in 1999 and has only been seen four other times since the
Since then government placed the species as endangered as animal scientists feared for it's survival but Australian researchers say they have found it again, on a deep sea camera recording in a marine park.
The new recording shows the fish in deeper and more open waters than it had lived in previously.
Scientists had thought the fish was a shallow water species that lived in sheltered bays - but it has now been found at a depth of 150m (390 ft) off Tasmania's wild south coast. Pink handfish are one of 14 types of handfish seen around Tasmania, the island south of the Australian mainland.
Advertisement
"This is an exciting discovery and offers hope for the ongoing survival of pink handfish, as clearly they have a wider habitat and distribution than previously thought," said lead researcher and marine biologist Neville Barrett, an associate professor at the University of Tasmania.
In February, Barret's team had dropped a baited camera on the seabed of the Tasman Fracture Marine Park to survey the coral, lobster and fish species down there.
The protected park is known for having a long crack in the earth's crust that has allowed marine life to be found in depths of over 4,000m.
A research assistant trawling through the footage in October says she spotted the peculiar creature among the crowd of larger animals attracted to the bait.
"I was watching one of our rough videos and there was a little fish that popped up on this reef ledge that looked a bit odd," said Ashlee Bastiaansen from the university's Institute of Antarctic and Marine Studies.
[ads id="ads2"]
"I had a closer look and you could see its little hands," she told the ABC.
The recording shows the 15cm fish emerge from a ledge after being disturbed by a rock lobster.
"In that time it's given us a really great head-on piece of imagery ... to absolutely categorically identify the species and measure its size," Associate Prof Barrett told the ABC.
"We're quite excited to be able to use the range of techniques now and really see how important these deeper habitats are for such a rare species."
Fans were ecstatic as sensational singer Victor Anthony, also known as Victony, stood on stage for the first time since his injury in April following an accident.
This happened in the early hours of Saturday during Flytime Entertainment’s ‘A Decade of Davido‘ performance.
Victony was involved in a tragic vehicle accident on April 25, 2021, and has been confined to a wheelchair since then after undergoing a major operation.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, the musician rose from his wheelchair and joined Mayorkun in performing his hit track “Holy Father.â€
The event’s organizers posted a video on their official Instagram page that recorded the scene.
“For the first time, I want to do Holy Father properly, okay? On my feet!†Victony stated before rising.
The artist rose from his seat to perform amid applause and with the help of Davido and another person on stage
While this happened, Davido screamed, “Jesus is good.â€
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has died at the age of 90.
The death of the anti-apartheid activist and veteran of South Africa’s struggle was announced today by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He released a statement on Sunday, expressing: “on behalf of all South Africans, his profound sadness at the passing today of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutuâ€.
Â
“President Ramaphosa expresses his heartfelt condolences to Mam Leah Tutu, the Tutu family, the board and staff of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Elders and Nobel Laureate Group, and the friends, comrades and associates nationally and globally of the iconic spiritual leader, anti-apartheid activist and global human rights campaigner.â€
Â
“The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated SA.
Â
“Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead.
Â
“A man of extraordinary intellect, integrity and invincibility against the forces of apartheid, he was also tender and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice and violence under apartheid, and oppressed and downtrodden people around the world.â€
Â
Archbishop Tutu, the last surviving South African laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize, passed away in Cape Town.
He won the Peace Prize for his work in trying to reconcile warring communities during apartheid.
The Hollywood actor appeared completely
bloated at a baseball game over the weekend, fans can't believe what they saw
First, it was Ricky Martin, who said his swollen face was due to an allergy due to a
cleansing treatment on his face, and now it was Tom Cruise's turn, who looked
swollen and aged so much while attending a baseball game during the weekend,
some believe he has undergone cosmetic surgery.
According
to the Page Six site, the 59-year-old "Risky Business" star appeared
more bloated than usual while attending Game 2 of the NL Division Series
between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Giants. Francisco, on Saturday.
Photos
and videos of Cruise smiling in the stands and waving to fans as he enjoyed the
game circulated on social media with several Internet users noticing such
changes.
"What
about the puffy squirrel cheeks?" one person tweeted. "What did the
same doctor Wayne Newton do to his face?" someone else wrote.
“@TomCruise,
what have you done to your beautiful face?!!!! I was so disappointed when I saw
you in the stands at the Dodgers game! STOP putting garbage in your face, please!!!!
"begged a fan.
“Tom
has done something to his face or he has gained some weight. But that's our
Tom! "added a fourth person.
"What
the hell is going on with his face?? Do you have an allergic reaction?
"joked another netizen, alluding to what Ricky Martin indicated that
recently happened to his face.
“He still looks great for his age. He is
almost 60 years old, "said another." He did not expect the hair plugs
of the 80s. He must wear some of that hair thickener and a lot of makeup for
public appearances, "wrote another.
[ads id="ads2"]
Others,
however, defended the “Mission: Impossible†student, saying that he is simply
aging naturally.
Yesterday, we reported that the actress and the rapper were spotted on a dinner date in Miami.
Despite previous reports that Julia Fox wasn’t sure how she felt following her Miami date night at Makoto Bal Harbour with Kanye West Page Six has since shared that the Uncut Gems actress and Ye are officially an item, with a source even referring to them as “kindred spirits.â€â€Julia and Ye are dating,†an anonymous close source said to the podcast host told the outlet exclusively. They both just got out of their former relationships, and they’ve helped each other recover immensely.
Also, HNHH reported that Fox recently slammed her own ex, Peter Artemiev, as a “dead beat alcoholic drug addict,†father.
I just don’t want my son fucked up cuz he feels like his dad was absent or loved alcohol and partying more than him, she wrote in a post on social media ahead of Christmas.
As a mother anyone could understand that. TAKE CARE OF YOUR KIDS MEN!!! AND OTHER MEN, HOLD DEAD BEAT DADS ACCOUNTABLE!!! It’s damn near 2022 how can u say u care about women and mothers and single mothers and ur out here enabling the behavior!!!
Former US President Donald Trump has been hit with two new federal lawsuits from law enforcement officers who were at the US Capitol on January 6.
The two complaints, one filed by a US Capitol Police officer and another by two members of the DC Metropolitan Police,  join six other civil suits that have been filed against Trump, the rioters or others for their alleged role in encouraging the Capitol attack.
The latest cases accuse Trump of directing assault and battery; aiding and abetting assault and battery; and violating local Washington, DC, laws that prohibit incitement of riots and disorderly conduct. ‘
They also allege that Trump directed the assault that left the injured and emotionally traumatized.
The cops also brought claims under the Ku Klux Klan Act, a Reconstruction-era law that has been cited in other January 6 lawsuits against Trump and his allies.
“On information and belief, Defendant Trump agreed and conspired with his followers to stage an attack on the Capitol to prevent Congress and Vice President Mike Pence, by force, intimidation, or threat, from discharging their duties of certifying the winners of the 2020 presidential election,†the lawsuit brought by Capitol Police officer Marcus Moore says.
According to his lawsuit, Moore went temporarily deaf after hearing flashbangs detonated by the rioters as he was entering the Capitol during the attack. While he was posted in front of the House chamber doors, he was crushed against the wall by the rioters, the lawsuit said, adding that “insurrectionists threw fire extinguishers, poles, and other objects, and struck the officers with their fists.â€
He suffered from physical injuries, including persistent tinnitus, as well as depression, the lawsuit said.
The Metropolitan Police officers who brought the other suit — Bobby Tabron and DeDivine K. Carter — also say they suffer injuries from that day. Their lawsuit said that Tabron — who broke his wrist among other injuries — suffers from insomnia, as well as slightly slurred speech and slower thinking from a concussion after rioters repeatedly hit his head. Tabron was posted behind a set of bike racks near the Capitol, where he was struck with flag poles and bats, according to the lawsuit.
He engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the rioters, who “called him a n***er and shouted at him that he’d be nothing without his badge,†according to the lawsuit.
Carter, while he was on the west side of the Capitol, was repeatedly struck by the rioters, including when he was attempting to help a fellow officer who had been punched, according to the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, he and Tabron were both for a time attacked by rioters while they were assembled by the ceremonial entrance to the Capitol that Carter now calls “the tunnel of death.â€
“For what felt like hours, Carter was struck, hit with poles, and crushed from every direction,†the lawsuit said.
Both officers suffered the effects of the chemicals sprayed on them by the rioters, the lawsuit said, and Carter repeatedly vomited on himself after he was sprayed with bear spray “more times than he could count.â€
When Tabron returned home that night, “the chemical smell soaked into his skin was so potent, even his wife’s eyes burned.â€
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this on Friday in a statement.
Ayodeji Gbeleyi
Ayodeji Gbeleyi has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.
His appointment was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.Â
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari approves Ayo Gbeleyi as Chairman, Federal Mortgage Bank’.
A Chartered Accountant and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Gbeleyi is a renowned financial expert who once served as Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State as well as a player in the aviation sector.
He replaces Adewale Adeeyo who passed on recently.
Grammy award-winning artist, Burna Boy is teasing fans with the snippet of yet to be released hit single.
Odogwu previewed the song at a club in Lagos yesterday. Apparently, the song is a collaboration between himself and fast rising singer, Victony. Recall Victony tweeted about recording a masterpiece with Burna Boy late last year.
Though, Burna Boy is yet to reveal when the jam will be released or the name of the single, we suspect the uptempo song is something along the lines of “Bum Bum Dey Different Sizeâ€.
From his friends’ reaction and the beat, we can confidently say it is going to be a banger when it finally drops.
The arrest of Skitmaker, De General, Over Small Pinch of Weed is a Waste of Taxpayers’ Money – Comedian Basketmouth
Comedian, Basketmouth, has berated operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, for arresting skit maker, Sunday Joshua aka De-General, over what he described as a â€pinch of weedâ€.
NDLEA operatives stormed DGeneral’s home in Lagos on Wednesday January 12, and arrested him. A video of the operatives manhandling him after they invaded his home to arrest him was shared online.
In a statement released, NDLEA said illicit drugs including 200 sachets of 225mg Tramadol and 1.5kilograms of cannabis sativa were recovered from the skit makers house.
In a video shared on his Instastories, Basketmouth said Nigeria has bigger issues to contend with than arresting the skit maker. He said the NDLEA operatives know those who carry weed and that they should have â€small shame†and stop embarrassing people.
Here we come with a new style never seen before! This new series is a celebration of Ankara – a fashion staple that remains a constant in our wardrobes, despite fashion’s revolving door of trends. Every week we will share the most fabulous styles we spot to celebrate the creativity of these stylish folk we feature, inspire your next look, and for your viewing pleasure.
(08179210216) Call or Chat with us on WhatsApp to place an order or make any of the dresses in this article. we are known as a big brand in making Gowns, Wedding dresses and gowns, Aso Ebi, Kaftans and Agbada. our head office is in Abuja, NG.visit our store at www.emmanuelsblog.store
In every wedding, event, occasion, Asoebi outfits always stand out. Africans are known to be fashionable with their outfits. If Ankara fabrics are used, or if lace, satin or a combination of these materials, every style worn by Nigerians always stand out all the time.
There are different asoebi styles and materials that go with different events. The suits go with weddings for men, and long or short dresses for women. In some cases, entire families step out in matching outfits, from father to children, to mark a special event.
The unique style for everyone is made possible through the efforts of a designer. Getting one is not as difficult as it can be. To get in touch with a skilled designer, search for them online and on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to make proper arrangements and enquiries before you do business with them.
Vonita teams up with Marlian Music signee, Lyta to bless fans with a new sound of her hit single – “SHAKARAâ€.
Adaeze Vonita Pearl Aku, known professionally as Vonita; born in Imo State, is a Nigerian Independent artiste, singer, songwriter, actor and script writer. She had her primary and secondary education in Owerri Imo state and bagged a B.s.c in economics at Imo State University.
She released her hit single entitled ‘Shakara’ in April 2021, a song for every woman because it depicts the beauty of a woman and how she is to be treated by a man.
“Vonita†collaborates with popular musician “Lyta†to share the music video titled; “Shakara“, a remix of her original single. This video was produced by J’snare, and directed by Gidfilmz. She’s called the wonder-woman because of her creativity and versatility. All her songs can be found on major online platforms like Boomplay, Audiomack, Pandora, iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, etc,
This artist is ready to show the world what she’s capable of by having various versatile melodic vibes.
Talented Singer and songwriter, Oluwa frosh resurfaces with the official visual of his motivational single titled â€Glory 2 Gloryâ€Â Featuring Yungsam. The song was produced by Monster Maff, The Crispy visuals were shot in Nigeria and directed by DirectorBimz.
The new visual serves as a follow-up to his previously heard EP, “Off Townâ€. The song “Glory 2 Glory†is an amazing number that is a must for your playlist.
Rochas Okorocha, senator representing Imo west, says President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to look into the criminal charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission had, on Monday, filed a 17-count charge against the former Imo governor before a federal high court in Abuja.
The charge against Okorocha came hours after he formally declared his intention to run for president.
According to the EFCC, the former Imo governor allegedly conspired with others, including a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and five companies, to steal N2.9 billion public funds.
Don't be left stranded by the next Facebook outage. Click image to subscribe!
Speaking with journalists at the state house on Thursday, Okorocha said the charges by the commission are “trumped-up to distract himâ€, adding that a competent court has delivered a judgment restraining the EFCC from prosecuting him.
Okorocha also said he visited Buhari to ask for his intervention on the anti-graft agency’s planned prosecution and to seek the immediate release of his international passport still being held by the EFCC.
According to him, it is the responsibility of Buhari as president of Nigeria to ensure that justice is served on all citizens, including him.
“The president said he would take up the matter, especially when he saw the judgment,†he said.
“He said, he’ll take up the matter and find out what is actually happening. And I hope he will do so. And I believe he will do that.
“One of the duties of a president is to protect the law of the land. And when an issue comes to an issue of judgment the duty is incumbent on the government of the day to ensure that justice is done.
“I came to demand justice that he should prevail and as the custodian, as the leader of our nation, he should be made to know that such is going on.
“I didn’t come here to say I don’t want to be investigated by the EFCC. That’s not the issue, that there’s a judgment on the ground.
“There’s judgment and there’s an order of the court that I’m asking Mr President, who appointed the EFCC to recall that there was the law that established the EFCC. And if that law is good to make somebody EFCC, that law should be obeyed, too.â€
When asked if he believes his suffering was planned by his opponents, the former governor of Imo said: “I suspect so.â€
“Why I say it is politically-motivated means that some people are instigating the EFCC to do this, which is wrong. All I’m asking from the EFCC is to please obey the law,†he added.
“And you cannot refuse to obey the law on one side, and then go for the law on the other side. So, if EFCC obeys the law, it will be the best thing they can do for the image of the EFCC and the image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“But as to who particularly, the person must be such a coward who doesn’t want to expose himself. And there are people like that who wouldn’t want to expose themselves but stay under, doing all kinds of things.
“My suspicion at this point is immaterial. What is more important is that the EFCC should obey a simple court judgment and court order, as the case may be.â€
Controversial billionaire rapper, Kanye West has lamented about his 8-year-old daughter, North West’s presence on TikTok.
In an Instagram post shared Friday, Ye included a screenshot of the official @kimandnorth TikTok account to call out his estranged wife.
“Since this is my first divorce I need to know what I should do about my daughter being put on [TikTok] against my will?†the Donda 2 artist said in the post, notably tagging Kim Kardashian.
During a recent interview, Kanye expressed similar thoughts on TikTok and his daughter’s presence on the platform.Â
In the interview, he explained that he never gave permission for North to join TikTok or wear makeup. Â