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MDCAN rejects bill proposing 5-year mandatory service for doctors

Published

1 year ago

April 9, 2023

MDCAN rejects bill proposing 5-year mandatory service for doctors

The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has rejected a bill seeking to make it mandatory for fresh medical graduates to provide services to Nigeria for up to five years before receiving full registration and license to practise.

The association, in a statement on Saturday signed by its president, Dr Victor Makanjuola and the secretary-general, Dr Yemi R. Raji, said the bill being proposed by the House of Representatives was discriminatory and not in the interest of the people.

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It stated that while passion and concern for the health of Nigerians demonstrated by Abiodun Ganiyu Johnson in proposing the bill as panacea for physician brain drain is commendable, the bill was, however, “misdirected, ill-informed and poorly thought through.”

The association said the bill had a possible effect of doing the exact opposite – aggravating the exodus – which it has been working with the executive arm of government to mitigate.

It stated, “It is pertinent to state that none of the suggestions of the inter-ministerial committee on brain drain and bonding of health workers has been implemented till date.”

MDCAN rejects bill proposing 5-year mandatory service for doctors

News

British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria

Published

5 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Nigeria has stirred up disquiet at the British High Commission in Abuja, as their presence went unacknowledged by relevant officials.

Despite the couple’s arrival in the populous nation and various welcoming activities, including meetings with military authorities and dignitaries, the British High Commission’s social media handles remained silent on their visit.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, clarified in an interview that the visit was in a private capacity and not arranged or facilitated by the commission. Hence, they were not representing the UK government’s work during their time in Nigeria.

During their visit to Kaduna, Prince Harry emphasized the importance of sports in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers, focusing on meeting with Nigerian armed forces veterans.

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The couple’s decision to step down as senior royals in 2020, amidst frustrations over media intrusion and restrictions on developing their brand, “SussexRoyal,” was highlighted. They retained their titles but relinquished their royal highness status and Harry gave up his military titles.

Allegations surfaced regarding Prince Harry’s absence from a flight that carried other royal family members to visit Queen Elizabeth II before her passing. Reports suggest an argument ensued due to Harry’s insistence on bringing Meghan Markle to Balmoral, causing him to miss the flight.

The visit to Nigeria served as an opportunity for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to engage with wounded veterans and promote rehabilitation efforts, despite the absence of official acknowledgment from the British High Commission.

British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria

News

Soldiers killing: Okuama returnees collapse on seeing destroyed homes

Published

5 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

Soldiers killing: Okuama returnees collapse on seeing destroyed homes

On returning to Okuama-Ewu community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, following the withdrawal of the Nigerian Army, many residents, particularly mothers, collapsed upon seeing their homes in ruins.

A report by Vanguard which visited the community revealed a distressing scene as some residents experienced a sudden rise in blood pressure upon witnessing the extent of the destruction, requiring hours to recover. Amidst the chaos, returning villagers expressed bewilderment and sorrow over their situation.

Sixty-five-year-old Maria Adam, who fled Okuama-Ewu in March only to return in May, described her shock, saying, “On arrival when I saw the level of destruction, I fainted and was revived because I suffered hypertension.” She recounted the loss of her belongings and appealed for government assistance, expressing uncertainty about rebuilding their lives.

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Similarly, Vero Joseph, a 68-year-old farmer, shared her dismay upon seeing the devastation, stating, “On arrival at the community and seeing the devastation, I fell terribly sick; nothing is left here.” She detailed the destruction of homes and essential items, emphasizing the challenges of starting anew but expressed a preference for returning to her hometown over seeking refuge elsewhere.

Fifty-two-year-old farmer Florence Ekiroro collapsed at the jetty overwhelmed by the realization of their homelessness, saying, “I collapsed at the jetty because we have become homeless.” She described the loss of essential belongings and rejected the idea of relocating to an IDP camp, citing the unfavorable conditions compared to their community.

Victoria Paul, a 58-year-old trader and farmer, recounted her ordeal, stating, “On arrival and seeing the gravity of damages, I fainted but was revived.” She lamented the destruction of her provisions business and personal belongings, despite finding solace in her community and beginning fishing to sustain her family.

Grace Okoye, a 55-year-old trader and farmer, expressed deep distress over the loss of her possessions, including her children’s academic documents and savings. She said, “On return, I feel very distressed and because everything I have had been destroyed. What pained me most were my children’s results and my building. I lost my boxes of wrappers and N200,000 cash in the house.

”I only escaped with the wrapper on my waist, which is what I have also returned with. Only God can assist me in start all over but one cannot run away from my community. I cannot stay in another town, I am happy to be back, and I have mastered staying here. I cannot compare here with the forest; it is my home. ”At night, we sleep in the church here, we have started fishing and that is how we are managing now.

Grace added, “Our youths caught some of the thieves. While we were away; they were busy harvesting our produce and immediately the army left, they came to scavenge. We have yet to hear from the government since returning.”

The Okuama returnees also called on the state government, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and others to come to their aid to help them pick up the pieces of their lives after all that happened to them.

Soldiers killing: Okuama returnees collapse on seeing destroyed homes

News

Fuel scarcity will be over soon, says Senate leader

Published

6 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele

Fuel scarcity will be over soon, says Senate leader

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele provided reassurance to Nigerians that the ongoing fuel crisis will soon be resolved, expressing this commitment during an interview at the Oil Technology Conference in Houston, Texas.

Bamidele emphasized the legislature’s dedication to addressing fuel scarcity and long queues at filling stations, highlighting plans to engage additional private-sector entities in constructing new refineries.

“The Senate is working to ensure that more private-sector players are licensed to own and operate refineries. This is to support other smaller ones that are springing up in several parts of the country.

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“In addition to licensing new refinery operators, the Federal Government and Senate are working to ensure that the existing refineries are turned around with repairs and replacement of parts carried out where necessary,” he said.

Bamidele said the Senate had received an assurance from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited that two of its refineries in Warri and Port Harcourt would come on stream before the end of the year.

He also noted that the commitment to licensing new refinery operators and revitalising existing refineries remained vital for increasing domestic oil production.

Opeyemi maintained that the focus was to ensure that Nigeria meets its OPEC production quota.