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Health: UK Licenses 266 Nigerian Doctors In Two Months

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The General Medical Council which licenses and maintains the official register of medical practitioners in the United Kingdom licensed at least 266 Nigerian doctors in June and July, 2022.

The implication is that at least three Nigerian doctors were licensed per day in June and July 2022 despite the moves by the Federal Government to stop the exodus of doctors and health workers in the country amidst worsening brain drain of the professionals in the country.

It was gathered that the number of Nigeria-trained doctors in the UK currently stands at 9,976.

The figure does not include other doctors of Nigerian origin who did not undergo medical training in Nigeria.

Presently, Nigeria has the third highest number of foreign doctors working in the UK after India and Pakistan.

The country however suffers a shortage of doctors.

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria noted that Nigeria now has over 100,000 doctors who have registered with the council.

Worryingly, Nigeria with a population of over 200 million citizens, indicate the percentage ratio of doctors to patients still falls below the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 1:600.

A poll by NOI in 2018 also showed that 88% of Nigerian doctors are considering work opportunities abroad, but experts say the figure may be higher due to the rising insecurity and economic crunch.

Other popular destinations for Nigeria-trained doctors include United States, Canada, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

It was earlier reported that the Nigerian Medical Association has continued to call on the Federal Government to provide a thriving environment for doctors and health workers to curb the massive brain drain.

Currently, doctors in Nigeria under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors have issued a two-week ultimatum to the government over poor welfare and failure to implement the new hazard allowance rate that was signed in December 2021.

The doctors had gone on strike for close to 60 days in 2021.

Dr Alfa Yusuf, the Publicity Secretary of NARD, in an interview said, “Government should declare a state of emergency on the health care sector, address the challenges, improve remuneration and good working conditions and address security issues.”

When asked about the causes of brain drain, Yusuf said, “Poor remuneration, poor working facilities, insecurities including assault on doctors and burn out from over work, among others.”

Also, the immediate past President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Prof. Ken Ozoilo, said, “It is unfortunate that the government has once again failed to live up to expectations, but this is typical.

“This kind of attitude on the part of government and its agents feeds the notion that the government does not listen to workers unless they are on strike.

“Predictably, we are going into another round of NARD strike at a most difficult time and the government is squarely to blame.

“Brain drain will sadly continue and will get worse. There is no measure put in place by the country yet that is capable of stemming the tide. Even the new hazard allowance fails miserably in this wise as it is a far cry from the demand of health workers.

“The NARD strike is not inevitable, but it is unlikely that agents of government responsible will act on time to avert it.”

Efforts to get the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, proved abortive as calls and messages forwarded to his line remained unanswered as of the time of filing this report.

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Ebonyi Governor Suspends Health, Housing Commissioners Over “Gross Misconduct, Negligence Of Duty”

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The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, and his counterpart in Housing and Urban Development, Francis Ori.

The suspensions occurred on Monday during the State Executive Council meeting in Abakaliki, the state capital.

A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, on Tuesday morning, read, “Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health respectively.”

Reports suggest that the suspensions may be linked to the alleged theft of government property by officials in the Ministry of Health and the reported underperformance of the Housing and Urban Development commissioner, particularly regarding his poor management of the Amaeze Housing Scheme in the Ishielu Local Government Area.

It is also recalled that the governor visited the health ministry’s premises on Saturday night, where six officials were allegedly caught diverting government materials. He subsequently ordered their arrest and prosecution.

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BREAKING: Finally, Port Harcourt Refinery Begins Production

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After multiple delays, the Port Harcourt refinery has begun fuel production.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited confirmed this on Tuesday.

NNPCL spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, stated that truck loading would begin today.

“Port Harcourt Refinery begins production. Truck loading starts today, Tuesday,” Soneye said.

 

More to come…

 

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Driving Excellence In Hospitality And Tourism: Minister Musawa Meets NIHOTOUR’s New DG [PHOTOS]

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The Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., welcomed Dr. Abisoye Fagade, the newly appointed Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), to her office in Abuja. This meeting reflected the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with its parastatal to advance tourism development and drive growth in the creative economy.

During the visit, Dr. Fagade reaffirmed NIHOTOUR’s dedication to its mandate of building a skilled and globally competitive workforce in the hospitality and tourism sectors. He expressed his readiness to align NIHOTOUR’s programs with the Ministry’s strategic objectives to create opportunities for economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable growth.

The Honourable Minister acknowledged NIHOTOUR’s vital role in enhancing capacity building and professional development across the tourism and creative industries. She emphasized the importance of a unified approach to delivering on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes innovation, youth empowerment, and economic transformation.

This engagement signals the beginning of a strengthened partnership aimed at driving the growth, sustainability, and promotion of tourism, hospitality, and the creative economy. By working collaboratively, the Ministry and NIHOTOUR are poised to showcase Nigeria’s unique cultural heritage and position the nation as a leader in tourism and creative innovation.

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