The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve outstanding welfare issues or face a nationwide strike.

The decision followed the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Sunday. A communiqué was jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi.

Key Demands

• Payment of 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) still owed to many doctors.
• Settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25%/35% CONMESS salary review.
• Clearance of other longstanding salary arrears.
• Payment of 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.
• Recognition and restoration of postgraduate membership certificates issued by the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

State-Level Concerns

NARD also condemned the Kaduna State Government for failing to honour agreements with doctors at ARD Kaduna and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.
It criticised the Oyo State Government for ignoring the plight of doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, where an indefinite strike has been ongoing.

Government Praised in Part

The doctors, however, commended state governors who have fully paid the 2025 MRTF, saying such compliance shows commitment to workers’ welfare.

Ultimatum Ends Sept 10

“The E-NEC extends the ultimatum by a final 10 days to all relevant government agencies to meet these demands. Failure to do so within this period (expiring on Wednesday, 10th September 2025) will leave the NEC with no other option than to embark on a nationwide strike action,” the communiqué warned.

The Lagos State Government says it will commence the second phase of repair works on the Ogudu–Ifako Bridge (inbound Island) on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that alternative routes have been mapped out to ease movement for motorists during the period.

Alternative Routes

Oshodi-bound motorists from Lagos–Ibadan Expressway/Toll Gate → use Ojota Slip Road → connect Ikorodu Road (inward Anthony, by Taxi Park).

Victoria Island-bound motorists → Ojota Slip Road → Ikorodu Road (inward Anthony, by Town Planning Way) → Gbagada → Third Mainland Bridge → Lagos Island.

Motorists from Ikeja & environs → proceed via Maryland → Ikorodu Road/Funsho Williams Avenue → Eko Bridge → Outer Marina.

Government Appeal

Osiyemi said the second phase of repairs follows a review of the initial traffic management plan used during the first phase of the project.

“The partial closure of the bridge is a necessary part of the maintenance programme. Motorists are therefore urged to be patient and bear with the temporary inconvenience in the interest of improved road infrastructure,” he stated.

He also urged drivers to maintain lane discipline, cooperate with Traffic Management Officers, and plan their trips in advance to minimise congestion.

The bridge maintenance is part of a wider effort by the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to sustain critical road infrastructure and improve traffic flow in the state.

The Federal Government has signaled that it could pursue the extradition of Simon Ekpa once he completes his six-year sentence in Finland for terrorism-related crimes.

On Monday, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland found Ekpa guilty of several offences, including links with a terrorist group, incitement to commit terrorism, aggravated tax fraud, and breaching Finland’s Lawyers Act. The court ruled he should remain in custody.

According to the verdict, between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa campaigned for Biafra’s independence through unlawful activities. He was accused of leveraging social media influence and internal disputes within the separatist movement to boost his role.

The judgment noted that armed factions formed under the movement were designated as terrorist groups. The court said: “Ekpa equipped the groups with weapons, explosives and ammunition through his contact network. He also urged and enticed his followers on X (formerly Twitter) to commit crimes in Nigeria.”

The case was heard over 12 sessions between May 30 and June 25, 2025, with a panel of three judges unanimously convicting him.

FG’s position

Reacting to the development, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told PUNCH: “The Nigerian government will assess the situation and take decisions in the best interest of the country.”

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), added that further action would follow after Nigeria officially receives and reviews the judgment.

A government statement described the conviction as “a watershed moment – not only for the countless innocent Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods have been brutally disrupted by the reign of terror incited and financed by Ekpa and his collaborators—but also for the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Finland.”

The FG said the ruling validates Nigeria’s stance on the matter and proves extremists will face justice. It urged Ekpa’s supporters to drop their weapons, stressing that peace and unity remain the priority.

Defence, security reactions

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, hailed the outcome as “a landmark victory in the global effort to combat terrorism and violent extremism.”

Through a statement by Brig-Gen. Tukur Gusau, he added: “The conviction reinforces the principle that those who incite violence and fund terrorism will be held accountable, regardless of their location.”

IPOB distances itself

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) disowned Ekpa, saying he never held any position in the group or its armed wing, ESN.

“Ekpa created his own parallel contraptions: ‘Biafra Government in Exile,’ ‘Biafra Liberation Army,’ and ‘Biafra Defence Force’ — entities repudiated and condemned by IPOB,” its spokesperson Emma Powerful said.

The group insisted the Finnish court had already cleared IPOB of any association with him, urging the global community, including the EU and Finland, to ensure this is not misrepresented.

Other reactions

The Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) called for peace, saying the judgment should reduce tension in the region.

Its leader, Goodluck Ibem, urged: “We call on all agitating parties, both at home and abroad, to embrace dialogue, constructive engagement, and non-violence. The South East is in desperate need of peace, development, and unity—not bloodshed and fear.”

IPOB’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, welcomed the conviction, calling it a warning against “fraud, violence, and false claims of self-determination.”

According to him, Ekpa misled followers with false promises of imminent independence, turning the region into “a theatre of violence and exploitation.” He concluded: “No legitimate struggle can be built on lies, fraud, and violence. Ala-Igbo’s future must never again be left in the hands of impostors seeking personal gain.”

Credit: The Punch