The Oyo state council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if their demands are not met in 14 working days.

The council in a letter addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday, May 2, 2024, stated that the resolution was made after its state executive council meeting held on Tuesday on issues affecting the welfare and career progression of nurses working with the state government.

The letter titled, ‘Notification of 14 days ultimatum,’ was signed by the council’s Chairman, Adeyemi Samuel, and Secretary, Aina Emmanuel.

The demands of the nurses border on shortage of staff, correction of the wrong notional date on promotion letters, and implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure, among others.

According to the nurses, the ultimatum which began on May 2, 2024, will end on May 21, 2024; and the indefinite strike will commence on May 22, Wednesday midnight if their demands are not met.

Nigeria is experiencing a massive exodus of healthcare workers, including nurses, and midwives. Poor remuneration, rising insecurity, inadequate diagnostic facilities, unconducive work conditions, and economic conditions are some of the reasons for the mass exodus.

In October 2023, the President of NANNM, Michael Nnachi told our correspondent that almost every week, nurses and midwives send applications to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, either to leave the country or be relieved of their duties.

In 2022, Nnachi said over 57,000 nurses migrated from Nigeria for greener pastures abroad within a period of five years spanning from 2017 to 2022.

He said the mass exit leaves the remaining nurses overworked.

“It’s pertinent to note that all these issues have been for a very long time and several letters have been written for the government to come to our aid without a positive response. Hence, we would be compelled to commence an indefinite strike at the expiration of our ultimatum if the following requests/prayers are not granted.

“Our prayers include – Mass recruitment of Nurses and Midwives/Nurse Educator into Hospitals Management Board, Primary Health Care Board, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho and Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences, Eleyele, Ibadan, to address the gross shortage of staff to improve health care delivery in the state.

“Correction of the wrong notional date on the promotion letters issued to our members. Adoption and implementation of the 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment circular for Nurses and Midwives working with the Oyo State Government.

“Financial implementation of 2018 to 2022 promotion for Nurses and Midwives working in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomosho. Adoption and implementation of Enhanced Hazard Allowances for Nurses and Midwives Working in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomosho, Oyo State College of Nursing Eleyele-Ibadan, Oyo State College of Health Technology Eleyele-Ibadan and Primary Health Care Development Board/LGA,” the letter read in part.

They also demand the adoption and implementation of lateral conversion/career progression for Nurses and Midwives on GL12 and above who have possessed degree certificates in Nursing Sciences, the payment of withheld January/February 2011 salaries to the nurses that are yet to be paid, and the payment of uniform allowance to all Nurses and Midwives in the service of Oyo state in line with public services rule.

President William Ruto has appointed Fatuma Ahmed as the first female commander in the Kenyan Air Force.

Ruto made the appointment on Thursday in a series of military promotions and changes following the death of the country’s defence chief in a helicopter crash.

Ahmed first made headlines in August 2015 when she was promoted to brigadier, a post no woman had held in the male-dominated Kenyan military.

According to Standard Media, a local newspaper, the new air force commander joined the armed forces by “accident”.

The report said she was returning home from secondary school after completing final examinations in 1983 and passed by a stadium near the military offices conducting a recruitment exercise.

After making inquiries, Ahmed joined the military the following year as an officer cadet.

She is also the first female soldier to attain the rank of a major general after being promoted from brigadier and appointed assistant chief of the defence forces in charge of personnel and logistics.

Ahmed replaces John Omenda who has been promoted to vice chief of the defense forces and the rank of lieutenant general.

Ruto also appointed Charles Kahariri as the nation’s new defence chief.

Kahariri previously served as his predecessor’s deputy who was about to mark 40 years of military service before his death.

Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for environment and water resources, says the state has uncovered apartments under the Dolphin estate bridge where tenants pay N250,000 in annual rent.

Wahab disclosed that 86 rooms partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container, were discovered by an enforcement team of the Lagos ministry of environment.

In a post alongside videos posted on X on Wednesday, the commissioner said the illegal structures have been destroyed.

“A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities, were discovered under the Dolphin Estate bridge,” the commissioner wrote.

“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”

18 individuals squatting illegally under the bridge leading from Dolphin Estate were arrested yesterday 30th of April, 2024 by the officials from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps @LAGESCOfficial (KAI).

The illegal shanties have been dismantled this morning.… pic.twitter.com/S4GfcC4RXp

— Tokunbo Wahab (@tokunbo_wahab) May 1, 2024

Commenting on the incident, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, special adviser on environment to the Lagos governor, said 33 persons have so far been arrested by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC).

“The bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10. Squatters there have been paying an average rent of N250k p.a,” he said.

Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI). pic.twitter.com/59gvP9buOi

— Kunle Rotimi-Akodu (@rotimi_akodu) April 30, 2024