The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has denied a report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which accused Nigerian doctors and other medical professionals of receiving bribe from patients before treatment.
It also said the allegation is aimed at denting the image of Nigerian doctors and other medical professionals.
DAILYPOST recalls that recently a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), stated that 42 percent of health workers received bribes to speed up the procedure and 15 percent also took bribes to make the finalisation of the procedure possible.
The report titled, “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends Third survey on corruption as experienced by the population”, was presented by the Data, Analytics and Statistics Section of the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, while the survey implementation, fieldwork, data preparation was done by the NBS.
MDCAN, in its reaction, said the NBS’s report is false and is an attempt to denigrate, dent the image and reputation of members of the noble profession before the public in the country.
The association in a press statement signed by the President Prof. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed made available to journalists in Jos the Plateau State Capital on Wednesday, dismissed the allegation of bribe taking.
Adding that even though Nigerian doctors are among the least paid in the world, they are hard working and will not condescend so low to demand for bribe from patients before treatment.
The Association argued that the report is like giving a dog a bad name purposely to hang it and was done in a bad taste because they are not the only workers that work in health institutions either public or private.
According to him, “To us this unfounded allegations is baseless and totally unacceptable.
“We are demanding for a total retraction of the so call report which is meant to portray Nigerian doctors in a bad light.”
He also demanded that, NBS should avail them access to the methodology and the geographical area they have covered to warrant this conclusion.
“These are some of the issues we felt that their conclusion is grossly unfair to Nigerian doctors despite our hard work and resilient to remained in the country to practice.
Mohammed explained that in most health institutions in the country, doctors are the minority, stressing that the patients and their relatives come to the health facilities to see the doctors, but doctors hardly constitute up to 20 to 30 percent of the population of workers in most of the health institutions.
He further explained that by the time the patients are seeing the doctors in their consulting rooms with face-to-face contact for the first time, they would have gone through layers of other health and non health workers.
“Where then will the doctors be discussing and demanding bribe with the patients as alleged by NBS.
MDCAN also argued that there is no place that do not have bad eggs, but to labelled the hard working and long-suffering Nigerian doctors who shunned greener pastures abroad to stayed back to serve in the country and be painted with allegation of bribery is unfair and very unfortunate.
MDCAN for stated that, it is important that if there are people that are demanding and taking bribes from patients and their relatives in health facilities in the country, such group of health workers or non-health workers must be identified so that they will be punished by relevant authorities.
The association added that there are different groups of trained health professionals like doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory scientists Pharmacists working in hospitals as well as non health professionals.
MDCAN further explained that in hospitals, there are also different cadere of staff ranging from the security personnel stressing that if any group is desirous of conducting such an important research they should have stratified the different categories of workers instead of lumping them as doctors, nurses and midwives.
“All what we are doing in the country is sacrifice, it is not that we can not move out for greener pasture , but we decided to be patriotic and remained in the country despite so many challenges.
“We are the one that shoulder the responsibilities of those doctors who have left the shore of this country. To wake up one day and labeled Nigerian doctors as corrupt and bribe taker is discouraging.
“As law abiding citizens, we want to give NBS the benefit of doubt so that they can also avail to us their methodology and raw data.
“If we discovered that their methodology is right and have significant samples and proportion of Nigeria covered that allowed them to arrived at this conclusion, we can now look inward to see how we can make amend,” he stressed.
The statement maintained that, if the methodology and sample size are not enough to make this far-reaching conclusion, they will, seek for retraction of the report so that they can tender a written apology in both print and electronic media.
Medical, dental consultants deny receiving bribes, accuse NBS of attempt to dent doctors’ image
Medical, dental consultants deny receiving bribes, accuse NBS of attempt to dent doctors’ image
UI students protest electricity rationing, tuition hike
The students of the University of Ibadan have staged a protest to express their grievances over the schedule of 10 hours of electricity supply on campus and a hike in tuition.
The protest started in the late hours of Tuesday and has continued on Wednesday with the students baring placards at the front of the university gate.
On Tuesday, an internal memo was addressed to the Chief Engineer (Electrical) by the Director of the Works and Maintenance Department, O.A Adetolu, that electricity should be rationed and made available to students for 10 hours daily.
The memo reads, “Effective immediately; the vice chancellor has approved a 10-hour daily electricity supply on campus as follows. Day time: 8 am – 2 pm, Night time 10 pm – 2 am. Kindly adhere to the approved schedule.”
The students’ union president, Aweda Bolaji, in a voice clip obtained by our correspondent, stated that the recent policies by the management were not satisfactory and an inconsiderate action.
He said,” The injustice that has been melted upon us as students of the University of Ibadan is getting too much. The university cannot ration electricity to students in this 21st century. On this basis, if you are a student, join students massively as we demonstrate peacefully against the injustice that is being melted by both the miserable government and unconscionable management.”
Bolaji in a statement also sought the reversal of the new electricity schedule and tuition increment.
“There will be neither lecture nor transportation within the school premises on the 17th of July, 2024. The Mass action will continue on July 17 starting from 5 am. The Union officials will make available all union resources, including the Aluta Jet and Public Address System, and the Student Union officials must be present to join the mobilization effort towards this.
“The School authority in association with maintenance must withdraw the memo on electricity rationing, dated 16th of July, 2024, and in addition, there must be constant power supply within the school effective immediately.
“There must be a total reversal of all fees and not a reduction. Those who have paid must be refunded The Students’ Union condemns the ongoing victimization of three Students of the University of lbadan; Aduwo Ayodele, Olamide Gbadegesin and Nice Linus, who embarked on a peaceful protest on the 13th of May 2024 and such, call for an end to the victimization,” Bolaji said.
FG mandates MDAs to remit 5% contractors’ retention fees to CBN
The Federal Government through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has mandated all FG-owned Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to remit five percent retention fees deducted from contractors’ payments at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
A memo signed by the Accountant General of the Federation, OluwaToyin Madein, tagged OAGF/CAD/026/Vol.V/896 said the move became necessary following complaints over non-payment of retention fees by MDAs upon completion of projects by contractors.
The memo dated June 27, 2024, was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; all ministers, Special Advisers, Service Chiefs, Foreign Missions among others, and obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday.
The According reports that a retention fund is a form of security provided for any construction contract as limited security for the due performance of the contractor’s obligations under the contract.
At the completion of the project, the contractor gets a percentage of the total fund, and when a final certificate indicating that the contractor has fulfilled all obligations the remaining balance is paid to him.
The retention fund constitutes a 5 per cent deduction from the total contract sum kept in a separate account by the ministry and paid to the contractor after six months of the completion, verification and certification of the project(s).
Upon completion, the contractor applies through the procurement department of the ministry which then writes to the permanent secretary for consideration and approval to the Ministry of Finance for payment
In 2022, contractors that have executed contracts with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development appealed to the ministry and the Federal Ministry of Finance to resume the payment of their retention funds
The ministry then cited a lack of funds.
Speaking in the memo, the OAGF said, “Following the incessant complaints from contractors over non-payment of their retention fees by Ministries, Departments and Agencies and further to the Treasury Circulars, Ref. Nos. OAGF/CAD/026/V.III/116 -TRY/A9&B9/2017, it has become necessary to issue these guidelines.
“The five percent (5%) retention fees deducted from contractors’ payments shall henceforth be remitted to the retention fees account domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The purpose is to safeguard the funds, pending the expiration of the six (6) months defect liability period, after which the MDA could apply for the payment of the money to the contractors).
“MDA shall in their request for payment, prepare and attach a schedule of executed contracts as of 31st December on which retention fee has been deducted in line with the relevant contract agreements, using the attached format.
“The completed schedule must be certified by the Accounting Officer and the Director/ Head of Finance and Accounts and forwarded to the Sub-Treasury of the Federation.
“Henceforth, MDAs requests for fresh funds for payment of retention fees to contractors will no longer be entertained.
“Furthermore, compliance to the provisions of this circular will henceforth be verified during inspections carried out by the Treasury Inspectorate Department.”
‘UNIMED in ruins’ – Group demands sack of Vice-Chancellor, Prof Fatusi
A group, the Coalition of Ondo State Indigenes Against Corruption, COIAC, has called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to shine a searchlight on the alleged unethical activities of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, UNIMED, Ondo town, Prof Adesgun Fatusi.
During a protest at the Governor’s Office, the group disclosed that the university, under the leadership of Fatusi, has been gasping for survival over alleged corruption and highhandedness.
According to the protesters, being stakeholders in the state, they would not allow the institution to be left in ruins.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Feyi Emmanuel said that due to the
urgency of the issue, they came all the way from Ondo town to Akure, the state capital, to express their displeasure over the state of the university and to inform the governor over the development.
While emphasising that the institution at present was in a sorry state, Emmanuel said, “UNIMED is our institution of pride in Ondo State. It is the foremost leading institution in the country in the field of medicine and other relevant medical courses.
“We are sorry to report that an institution Prof. Fatusi inherited has become a sorry state. The institution needs to be rescued from the grip of Fatusi. Prof. Fatusi’s only mission is to leave the school in ruins.
“Our demand is simple. Fatusi must go. He has wrecked and crippled the institution financially. Mr. Governor, we urge you to urgently intervene and sack Fatusi.
“He has rendered our people jobless by ensuring that 70 percent of UNIMED staffers are non-indigenes. We demand that the financial status of UNIMED be investigated because we know UNIMED is in bankruptcy. UNIMED council members are all contractors. He is an administrative vampire and lacks managerial ability.”
Reacting to the development, the spokeswoman of the institution, Isaac Oluyi, described the allegations as spurious and attributed them to the handiwork of detractors who lacked understanding of how universities work all over the world.
“This is the first specialised university of medical sciences in Nigeria that has grown by leaps and bounds under Professor Adesegun Fatusi with visible evidence in terms of accomplishments.
“We invite the whole world to come and see for themselves. Results do not lie. The footprints of Professor Fatusi in terms of remarkable achievements are there even for a blind man to see.
“How can anybody say that a university ranked as the 4th best university among the state-owned universities in Nigeria under Fatusi is in ruins? This is completely laughable!”
‘UNIMED in ruins’ – Group demands sack of Vice-Chancellor, Prof Fatusi
Central Africa: Fresh facts emerge in case involving alleged spy, Martin Figueira
Fresh facts have emerged over the recent arrest of Martin Joseph Figueira, a Belgian national of Portuguese origin in Zemio by the Central African Defense and Security Forces.
During subsequent interrogations and investigations, it was revealed that the man, Figueira, had been employed by a non-governmental organization operating in the Central African Republic.
Figueira was allegedly involved in espionage activities.
Following his arrest, a judicial inquiry was opened by the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Bangui to investigate the case.
The investigation suggested that Martin Figueira was collecting information and had connections with various rebel groups that were compromising security in several Central African regions.
Military expert, Sylvain Nguema, in a statement said correspondence between Figueira and CPC spokesman Mohamadou Bello Saïdou indicated that Figueira had been in communication with Central African armed groups.
“In an audio message, Figueira promised to send Bello 100 euros, apologizing for not being able to send more at that time.
“In another conversation, Figueira informed Bello that he had not been able to buy a smartphone in Portugal but found a shop in Bangui with a wide selection of simpler phones. He then asked the rebel spokesman who could come to his hotel to collect the phone.
“The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected.”
Central Africa: Fresh facts emerge in case involving alleged spy, Martin Figueira
Police foils attempt to raze Delta INEC office
Police operatives in Delta State on Tuesday foiled an attempt by some unidentified youths to destroy an area office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Warri.
According to reports, the young men, armed with weapons and containers filled with substance suspected to be fuel, chanted war songs and made moves to force their way into the local INEC premises, while its officials were out for delineation of electoral units and wards, in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.
READ ALSO: Tension as Police ban Abuja Shi’ite procession over security concerns
Political sources hinted that while the Warri indigenous Urhobo and their Ijaw counterparts were in support of the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on the delineation of electoral units and wards in the Warri federal constituency, the Itsekiri were alleged to have opposed the exercise.
Recall that INEC officials had last Wednesday visited Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State for the commencement of the wards/units’ delineation.
The commission’s officials visited Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of the Gbaramatu Kingdom and began a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency.
The post Police foils attempt to raze Delta INEC office appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
48,000 farmers to get free fertilizer in Kebbi
No fewer than 48,000 farmers are to benefit from free fertilisers as well as agricultural implements provided by the Kebbi State Government.
The state governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, announced this on Tuesday at the launching of agricultural inputs by the State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, Kebbi State Cares Coordinating Unit.
He said the exercise is under the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fadama III Implementing Unit
“This was in fulfillment of my campaign promises, assuring that under my administration no farmer would be left behind.
“100 trucks of assorted fertilizers would be distributed to the people of the state free, and 110 trucks of fertilisers would also be distributed to the Local Government Areas in the state free-of-charge”
The governor then urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs given for mass food production.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abba Sani-Kalgo, highlighted the importance of the programme and commended Gov. Idris for the support and assistance to the ministry.
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BREAKING: EFCC, Yahaya Bello’s lawyers in war of words in open court, judge walks out
The planned arraignment of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State on alleged N82 billion fraud charges took a dangerous dimension on Wednesday when two senior advocates engaged in a war of words during the proceedings.
The two lawyers are Abdulwahab Mohammed, standing for Bello, SAN, and Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, standing for the federal government.
Trouble started when Mohammed announced his appearance for the former governor and left out his colleague, Adeola Adedipe, SAN.
However, the federal government counsel opposed the exclusion on the grounds that Adedipe should be included in the proceedings until discharged by the court.
Adedipe interrupted the argument of the federal government lawyer, insisting that he was not prepared to be part of the proceedings.
At this stage, Mohammed interjected and announced that Adedipe had filed a notice of withdrawal from the proceedings.
As Justice Emeka Nwite was about to deliver a ruling on the contentious appearance matter, Bello’s lawyer stood up and requested to be allowed to stay outside the proceedings if the court proceeded with the ruling.
Fuming with anger, Mohammed openly called Pinheiro, SAN, a rough lawyer who takes delight in misleading the court.
His attempt to make further abusive remarks about the federal government lawyer was aborted, but Mohammed refused to apologise, insisting that he would leave the court should the judge go ahead with the ruling.
When tempers rose beyond control, Justice Emeka Nwite, out of anger, abruptly brought the proceedings to an end by walking straight into his chamber.
At the time of this report, tension was still high in the courtroom.
BREAKING: EFCC, Yahaya Bello’s lawyers in war of words in open court, judge walks out
Anambra varsity, tech firm partner to drive AI inclusion among students
The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State and Bredhub-UBTECH, have announced a partnership to drive Artificial Intelligence and robotics inclusion for the students and other community members of the institution.
To achieve this, both parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for “Artificial Intelligence and Robotics education”, to equip students and other members of the institution to experience Robots and also learn to programme them.
During the MoU signing ceremony at the office of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, on Tuesday, the importance of equipping the young ones with artificial intelligence to align with its disruptive change, identifying problems and driving solutions with the innovation was highly emphasised.
Speaking during the ceremony, the vice-chancellor noted that the students and the community environment have a lot to gain from the exercise, as it is one of the things the school can do to equip society and the young ones for the disruptive change taking place globally.
She said, “I feel very excited about this partnership because this is the kind of disruptive change we want to create in this university. When we came into this institution, we wanted to add education and social spice to what we are doing and I am a bit fulfilled that this exercise will drive the process.
“The school has to key into this innovation because there are many things to learn. We want, not just the students, but the entire school community and the outside environment, including children out there to key into this. It is one of the things we can do to help change the society and the young people.
“We need to keep the young people busy by changing their psyche so that they become more productive and responsible to the community. We are going to use both the internal and external publics of the institution to drive this exercise because it is something we are going to find both rewarding and fulfilling.”
Earlier, in his speech, the Managing Director/CEO of Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Agbata, described the partnership as a phenomenal change that is about to happen to the university, adding that it would enable the institution to have access to technology that is currently disrupting the whole world.
Agbata, who advocated the review of educational curriculum to allow ICT, noted that the university system plays a very important role in energising the Anambra tech drive that the governor is aiming to achieve, adding it is no coincidence that the exercise is flagging off at the institution.
Also speaking, the Managing Director/CEO, Bredhub-UBTECH, Michael Ahamefule, described the partnership as a great opportunity for both the institution and the firm as it has opened the window for innovations to commence.
Ahamefule said, “Training the students of the institutions on AI and robotics will have a significant impact on their future careers and the wider society. It will prepare them for the future job market. AI and robotics are increasingly being adopted across industries, and training students in these areas can prepare them for the changing job market.
“The world has moved away from analogue and we are in the fourth revolution. It is a way of equipping them with innovations to enable them to identify problems and proffer solutions using technology. This opportunity will give our students the leap they need to join the revolutionary world.
“By training students in higher institutions on AI and robotics, we can empower them to shape the future and address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
“The signing of the MOU is the formal agreement and partnership to collaborate and work together with the institution towards equipping the students and the university community on AI and robotics.”
After the MoU signing ceremony at the VC’s office, students of the institution were allowed to experience AI and Robots and also learn to program them.
The robotics demo was done at the Faculty of Social Sciences, where a handful of students, who were in attendance, expressed delight at the experience of handling and programming robots.
One of the students from the Department of Political Science, Ifeoma Okeke, said, “It is a memorable experience. I learnt how to use the tools to identify and solve problems and I believe this will help the students greatly in accessing the technological innovations they need in proffering solutions in our various fields.”
FG warns 22 states of five-day massive flooding
The Federal Government has predicted that 94 towns are at risk of a five-day flooding beginning Tuesday, July 16, and ending on July 20, 2024.
The Minister of State of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, disclosed this to The According on Tuesday.
Salako said the identified locations and their environs would likely witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flood within the prediction period.
He listed the concerned states as Adamawa State (Gbajili, Ganye); Abia State (Eziama, Arochukwu); Anambra State (Onitsha); Akwa Ibom (Uyo, Upenekang, Oron, Edor, Eket, Obianga, Etinan); Bauchi State (Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi); Bayelsa State (Letugbene); Borno State (Maiduguri); Cross River State (Ikom, Calabar, Itigidi, Akpap); Nasarawa State (Udeni, Tunga); and the Federal Capital Territory (Abaji, Bwari).
Other are Jigawa State (Miga, Ringim, Dutse, Hadejia); Kano State (Gezawa, Gwarzo, Kano, Karaye, Wudil, Sumaila); Kebbi State (Gwandu, Jega, Kangiwa, Gauri-Banza, Ribah, Sakaba, Saminaka, Kamba, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Argungu, Bagudo); Katsina State (Bindawa, Jibia, Kaita, Katsina, Daura, Funtua); Kwara State (Kosubosu); Niger State (Ibi, Bida, Kontagora, Mashegu, Minna, New Bussa, Katcha, Rijau, Wushishi); Plateau State (Jos, Mangu); Rivers State (Port-Harcourt, Onne, Okrika, Bori); Sokoto State (Makira, Goronyo, Isa, Silame, Sokoto, Wamako); Taraba State (Gembu, Beli, Garkowa, Gasol, Serti, Donga, Duchi, Gwarzo, Gun gun Bodel); Yobe State (Gashua, Gasma, Damaturu, Geidam, Kanama); and Zamfara State (Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Shinkafi, Bukkuyum, Majara, Gummi).
Salako, however, urged stakeholders in the country to mitigate the flooding.
On whether the Cameroonian government had notified the ministry of when it would open floodgates of the Lagdo Dam, the minister stated that it was the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation that manages dams.
“If there’s going to be any issue around the Lagdo Dam, they will inform the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, but I’m not sure they have had any information because if they have any information, they usually also transmits such information to us at the federal level,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State government has disclosed its readiness to avert any possible flooding across the state this year.
The Commissioner for information, Sambo Danchadi, while speaking with one of our correspondents, said the state government, through one of the Sokoto Emergency Management Agency, was working round the clock to maintain a safe environment.
Also speaking, the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at the Sokoto Emergency Management Agency, Mustapha Umar, said the agency had carried out sensitisation and awareness programmes in flood-prone areas.
He said, “We even had an evacuation plan, the National Emergency Management Agency asked us to submit our plan and designated areas in case of flood and we have collated that and submitted it to them already.
“We have done a lot in terms of dishing out information to the people and creating awareness for them on dangers involved with flood,” he added
Also, the Bayelsa State Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control said it would continue the task of clearing natural drains within Yenagoa and its environs to mitigate the impact of this year’s flood.
The chairman of the directorate, Walson Omuso, noted that the chairmen of the Rural Development Authorities were locating higher grounds for the erection of makeshift relief camps.
Omuso, however, said the agency was not embarking on any fresh moves in reaction to the flood warning by the Federal Ministry of Environment, which named Bayelsa among the states to be affected by flooding between now and July 20.