Nigerian Groups in Americas Resolve Dispute, Unite

By: Michael Mike

The warring charters of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas have resolved their dispute and agreed to unite for a common goal.

A statement jointly signed by the parties and e-mailed to ThisDay on Thursday, said NIDOA’s historic unification took place during an extraordinary Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on November 16 in Bloomington, Minnesota, United States.

The statement read: “In a groundbreaking move, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas (NIDOA) has united under one cohesive umbrella, marking a historic milestone in the organisation’s journey.”

In the statement signed by Bukoka Olaoye and Zee Nagberi (Board of Trustee member; Chika Emmanuel, Brazil; Lillian Alli-Balogun, Canada; Doyin Owobamirin and Collins Ikegwuonu, USA; the members described the unification as a significant achievement to push the progress of the organisation.

During the unification meeting with the theme, “NIDOA: Building A Strong & United Nigerian Diaspora Community,” a peace deal was sealed, bringing all chapters into a single, cohesive body, the statement disclosed.

“After months of dialogue and collaboration, representatives from NIDOA’s chapters across the Americas— including over 20 USA chapter presidents, continental chairs from Canada and Brazil, and past leaders—came together to resolve long-standing divisions within the organization,” it said.

It identified an international mediation expert as key to the success of the November 16 reconciliation.

The unification agreement was formally signed by leaders from both sides, including Mr Zee Nagberi, Mr Bukola Olaoye, Dr. Toni Ogbanufe, Mr Uche Uzoigwe, Mrs. Chinyere Ibezim-Adom, Pastor Doyin Owobamirin, and Mr. Collins Ikegwuonu, the statement explained.
Nigerian Groups in Americas Resolve Dispute, Unite

Zulum approves pay rise for Borno doctors, to match FG level

.. Releases N400m for residency training

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved a pay rise for medical doctors in the state civil service to match the one earned by those working with the federal government.

Governor Zulum announced the approval on Wednesday while delivering his address at the 65th National Council on Health Meeting which was held at Muhammadu Indimi Hall, University of Maiduguri.

The Health Council Meeting hosted for the second time by Borno State was themed, “Aceleating Pathway to Universal Health Coverage Strategies for 2030.”

Zulum directed the state head of service and the commissioner of health to liaise with the relevant federal government agency to bridge gaps in payment between medical doctors working for the state and those with the federal government.

The governor ordered that the pay rise be implemented from the 1st of December 2024.

“Link up with the relevant federal government agency and ensure there is no disparity between salaries of the federal government workers and those working with the state government,” Zulum said.

He added, “As of December 1, medical doctors working with Borno State government will receive the same salary as those working with the federal government.”

The governor also stated that Borno has since complied with the Abuja Declaration, which requires every state of the federation to allocate at least 15% of its annual budget to health care.

“I am proud to share that Borno State has taken significant steps towards meeting the Abuja Declaration. In our recent budget, we have prioritised health infrastructure, increased access to maternal and child health services, and allocated resources for critical disease control programmes,” the governor reiterated.

Governor Zulum also recalled that the state government has paid for the residency allowance amounting to over N300m for doctors working with the state hospitals and over N100m to support the indigenes of Borno working with other health facilities across the country.

In their separate remarks, the minister of health, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate and his counterpart, the state minister, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stressed the need for collaborative efforts to achieve universal health coverage by 2023.

Professor Pate also noted that President Tinubu is committed to upgrading the health infrastructure.

“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is focused on revitalising the health sector to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030 through prioritising training and retraining, infrastructural upgrade and maternal health coverage,” Prof Pate said.

The Shehu of Dikwa, Ibrahim Ibn Umar El-Kanemi, who was repressing the Shehu of Borno, led other Emirs, chiefs, and traditional title holders to attend the occasion.

Others in attendance include heads of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Health, the 36 commissioners of health across the country, UN health agencies and development partners.

Also in attendance were senior government officials, including the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salim Ibrahim Anas, Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uzu Rochas-Anwikah, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom, among other delegates.

Zulum approves pay rise for Borno doctors, to match FG level

YOUR WELFARE, PROTECTION OF NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS MY TOPMOST PRIORITY” – ACTING COAS LT GEN OLUYEDE

By: Our Reporter

The Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has promised to prioritise the welfare of troops of the Nigerian Army(NA) as well as the protection of Nigeria and Nigerians. The Ag COAS made these remarks on Wednesday 20 November 2024, during the official handing over of the Infantry Corps to his successor Major General Abdulkalifa Ibrahim in a regimented ceremony at the Headquarters Infantry Corps Jaji, Kaduna State. You will recall that until his appointment as the Ag COAS on 30 October 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he was the 56th Commander Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army.

Speaking further during the handing over ceremony, Gen Oluyede described his successor as a competent senior Infantry officer and a perfect gentleman whom he he believes will sustain the trajectory of moving the Corps forward. He charged all officers and soldiers of the Corps to give him all the needed cooperation and support to succeed. The Ag COAS expressed gratitude to all officers and soldiers of the NA for their massive turnout and support during the internment of the late COAS Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja and prayed God to grant him eternal rest and continue to give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

While addressing troops of the Infantry Corps at the Major Bulama Parade Ground, the Ag COAS charged all officers and soldiers of the NA to put the unfortunate incident behind them, get back to work and deal ruthlessly with all criminal elements perpetrating insecurity in the country. He reassured them that their welfare would be prioritised. ” I am aware of your challenges and will tackle them head-on. Rest assured that anything that is yours will be given to you, ” he affirmed.

In his remarks, the new Commander Infantry Corps Maj Gen Abdulkalifa Ibrahim said he was delighted to take over command of the Infantry Corps from the Ag COAS, who until a few weeks ago was the Commander Infantry Corps. He appreciated the Ag COAS for moving the Infantry Corps forward through the implementation of laudable initiatives and execution of several infrastructural development projects. He lauded him for his many years of dedicated service to the Infantry Corps, the Nigerian Army, and the nation at large.

Maj Gen Ibrahim pledged to lead the Infantry Corps with integrity, courage, honour, and utmost dedication, embracing best practices in all he will do. “To my brave and dedicated fellow infantry men, both officers and soldiers, I recognise the sacrifices, resilience, and valour that define our infantry tradition. Your selflessness, teamwork, and unwavering loyalty inspire all of us. I urge you all to continue to embrace the Army’s core values of loyalty, integrity, discipline, selfless service, respect for others, and courage in the discharge of your responsibilities, ” he emphasized.

He further urged all officers and soldiers of the Corps to remain diligent, hardworking, and proactive so as to collectively confront security challenges in troubled regions, uphold the Infantry values, and protect the nation with pride. He added that he is open to ideas that would bring the Corps together and make it more cohesive and efficient.

Maj Gen Abdulkalifa Ibrahim is a member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy and hails from Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. In the course of his illustrious career in the NA, he served as acting Garrison Commander in 1 Division, Commander 14 Brigade, General Officer Commanding 7 Division and also commanded the Multi National Joint Task Force Ndjamena, Chad among others. He has attended all courses commensurate to his rank, including the National Defence College Course 23.

He had served previously in Jaji at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry as member Training Team and later as Chief Instructor. He participated in several operations both within and outside the shores of the country, such as Operation Hadin Kai and Operations under the MNJTF. In 2023, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria awarded him the National honour of the Officer of the Order of the Republic (OFR). Similarly, the Chadian Government awarded him the national honor of ‘National Order of Chad’ (NOOC) for his contributions to peace and security in the Lake Chad Basin.

The Acting COAS later inspected ongoing projects in Jaji military Cantonment and paid a visit to the Command Engineering Depot at Rigachukun, Kaduna.

YOUR WELFARE, PROTECTION OF NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS MY TOPMOST PRIORITY” – ACTING COAS LT GEN OLUYEDE