President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ensure that members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors currently on strike return to work without delay.

The directive was made public by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, following the total and indefinite strike declared by NARD on Saturday.

Salako opened the briefing with an apology to Nigerians affected by the strike, saying, “we would like to express our regrets and unconditional apology to Nigerians, especially those who needed to access health care in the last 48 hours, who could not do it as a result of the strike action by NARD.” He added that the President had “expressly directed that we do everything possible and legitimate to ensure that the resident doctors are brought back to their duty posts as soon as possible.”

According to the minister, the government has been in discussions with NARD leadership to address the underlying issues. He disclosed that the striking doctors tabled 19 demands, and the ministry has been working through them individually.

Salako traced the dispute to a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission in July, which he said triggered disagreements among health workers. Some unions opposed the directive while others supported it, prompting the ministry to call for a review. “We approached the National Salaries and Wages Commission and the Presidential Committee on Salary Increase, and the circular was therefore withdrawn,” he explained.

He stated that the ministry initiated a Collective Bargaining Agreement process in August involving all major health unions, including the Nigerian Medical Association, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, and the Joint Health Sector Unions. However, two contentious issues emerged during negotiations.

“One of the disputes was between groups advocating relativity in remuneration and others insisting on parity,” Salako said, adding that both positions were “mutually exclusive.” The second dispute concerned the appointment of some non-doctor health workers as consultants in 2020, which led to discontent among doctors. These issues, he noted, resulted in a temporary suspension of the CBA meetings.

To resolve the impasse, the ministry engaged an external industrial relations expert to mediate. Salako confirmed that the negotiator met with all unions and submitted an interim report. He stressed that the NARD strike commenced despite CBA rules discouraging industrial action during ongoing negotiations, noting that government ministers, including the Finance and Labour Ministers, engaged the doctors last week.

Responding to concerns over manpower shortages and long work hours, Salako highlighted recent government recruitment efforts. He said that in 2024, 14,444 health workers were employed across 64 federal tertiary hospitals, including 908 consultants and 3,064 resident doctors. He added that approvals have been granted for the recruitment of 23,059 health workers in 2025, of whom 868 are consultants and 2,629 are resident doctors.

The minister also disclosed that Tinubu has approved raising the retirement age for clinical workers to 65 years, pending completion of administrative processes.

On financial matters, Salako said the government had released N21.3bn to clear arrears, stating that “at least 60 per cent of NARD members have received an alert,” and pledged to ensure payment to the remaining 40 per cent. He added that N11.995bn had been processed for other arrears, while N10bn was paid to health workers in August and another N10bn to resident doctors via the Medical Residency Training Fund.

He urged journalists to verify improvements in health facilities since May 2023, assuring that Tinubu remained committed to strengthening the sector. “There is no slow progress,” he said. “What is happening is that we’re taking our time to ensure that everything we need to take on board is taken on board, so that whatever solution we agree on will be a sustainable one.”

Salako emphasised that all cadres in the health sector are interdependent, stating, “The health sector is teamwork. No professional in the health sector can work independently of others.”

Two individuals arrested during a raid on the Abuja home of former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, remain in detention.

Operatives had stormed the residence on Saturday, October 25, 2025, arresting his younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, as well as his driver. Sylva, a former Bayelsa governor and prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, was reportedly out of the country when the operation took place.

Sources familiar with developments said Sylva initially planned to return to the country, but cancelled his trip after learning that several suspected coup plotters had been picked up.

His media aide, Julius Bokoru, had confirmed the raid in a statement last week, denying Sylva’s involvement in any coup plot and accusing the military of destroying property during the operation. Bokoru alleged that some political actors were engaging in mischief because they viewed Sylva as a threat to their ambitions.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Sunday, Bokoru confirmed that the two detained aides were still being held. When asked if they had been released, he responded, “Not that I know of. As of last night (Saturday), they had not been released. I would have known if they were released.”

Pressed on why there had been no public call for their release despite no incriminating evidence reportedly found during the raid, he said, “I believe some lawyers are on the matter already.”

Earlier, on October 4, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, had disclosed that 16 officers were in custody for violating military regulations and acts of indiscipline. However, SaharaReporters alleged that the officers, ranging from Captain to Brigadier-General, were being detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency over a suspected plan to topple the government and were apprehended at various locations nationwide.

Meanwhile, Niger Delta stakeholders, including former agitators, have condemned what they described as a smear campaign against the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, a former aide to Sylva.

After an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt on Sunday, the Critical Ex-agitators Stakeholders Coalition urged traditional rulers, political figures and regional leaders to support Ogbuku and resist efforts to destabilise the NDDC.

The coalition’s spokesman and Pioneer National Secretary of the First Phase Ex-Agitators, Nature Kieghe, called for unity, warning against “the pull-him-down syndrome,” saying “a house divided against itself can never stand.”

Kieghe highlighted Ogbuku’s record, stating that he is the first NDDC boss to introduce a needs assessment model that aligns projects with community priorities. He listed initiatives such as the Light Up Niger Delta project, which he said has boosted security and economic activities in rural areas.

“We cannot continue to fight ourselves and expect meaningful development,” Kieghe stated. “These stones being thrown at Dr Samuel Ogbuku are uncalled for. This is the time for all Niger Delta leaders to support him and encourage the good work he is doing.”

He also noted improvements in contractor payments, describing Ogbuku as prudent and suggesting critics were envious of his achievements. Kieghe added that the NDDC completed 311 projects across the nine states in the third quarter of 2024 alone, including infrastructure, renewable energy and water projects.

According to him, the commission has expanded youth empowerment schemes, revived its scholarship programme and launched an agricultural initiative aimed at food sustainability in the region. He further noted that most Niger Delta states now have NDDC office complexes “for faster and more effective service delivery.”

Kieghe urged regional leaders to guard against external influences and expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting Ogbuku’s leadership, saying, “He has changed the narrative of the NDDC, and we appeal to you to continue to give him all the support he needs.”

The founder of one of Nigeria’s most renowned live bands, Akin Shuga, Akinloye Tofowomo, has passed away.

Information obtained by The Eagle Online indicates that Tofowomo died in New Brunswick, Canada after undergoing surgery.

The family confirmed his death in a statement issued on Monday. The statement, signed by Femi Dare on behalf of the family, noted that Tofowomo was born on January 6, 1975.

According to the statement, “It is with profound solemnity and total submission to the will of God, that the family of Akinloye Tofowomo (Akiin Shuga) — revered music icon, Grandmaster, and Managing Director of Shuga Limb Foundation and Shuga Entertainment, Nigeria’s most prestigious live band — announces his passing in New Brunswick, Canada.”

The tribute described him as a cultural pillar in the music industry, adding, “Akinloye Tofowomo was more than a musician; he was a custodian of rhythm, culture, and the spirit of performance. Across more than three decades of excellence — on stage and in mentorship — he redefined what it meant to lead a band with grace, mastery, and purpose. To countless admirers at home and abroad, he was both an inspiration and an institution: a true king in his art.”

The family appealed for privacy as they mourn, stating, “As the family comes to terms with this immeasurable loss, they humbly request privacy and quiet reflection at this deeply difficult time. They wish for the space to find closure and to honour his life in the intimacy of loved ones and cherished memories.”

They added that memorial arrangements will be announced later, saying, “Further details, including dates and arrangements for memorial observances, will be communicated in due course.”

Expressing gratitude to the public, the family stated, “The family extends heartfelt appreciation to all who have reached out with prayers, tributes, and kind words. Akinloye Tofowomo’s legacy — through the Shuga Band and Shuga Entertainment — will continue to live on.”

Tofowomo is survived by his wife, children, siblings, and mother. “May his noble soul find eternal rest,” the statement concluded.

Tofowomo, popularly known as Akiin Shuga, was a Nigerian singer, songwriter and music entrepreneur. He founded the celebrated Shuga Band in 1998 and also established the Shuga Limb Foundation, which supports individuals living with polio.