Convoke National Dialogue Now to Save Nigeria, Okowa Tells FG
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Convoke National Dialogue Now to Save Nigeria, Okowa Tells FG Declares there are too many voices of anger calling for justice in the affairs of the nation Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba government to convoke a denominational thanksgiving required urgent but realistic pretend that all was well with voices without further delay. national dialogue “to enable service to commemorate approach that would ensure the country as "there are too He expressed dismay that Delta State Governor, Dr. Nigerians talk to one another the 30th anniversary of the lasting solution to the various many voices of anger calling the nation was still paying lip Ifeanyi Okowa has expressed on the way forward in tackling creation of Delta State, held at challenges threatening to tear for justice, fairness and equity service to its status as a federal worry about the various the issues threatening to wreck St. Peters Anglican Cathedral, the nation apart. in the affairs of the nation," system, as too much power challenges confronting the the nation's ship.” Asaba, yesterday, Okowa said The governor said that the while urging the government country, calling on the federal Speaking at an inter- that the state of the nation federal government should not to take steps to listen to the Continued on page 5 FG Orders Stoppage of Striking Doctors' Salaries… Page 5 Saturday 28 August, 2021 Vol 26. No 9637 www.thisdaylive.com T N250 R U N T H & R E ASO Secondus Resumes, Stopped from Attending National Caucus Meeting Ploy to stop him from presiding over NEC meeting on zoning unfolds Caucus endorses October 30 for National Convention Chuks Okocha in Abuja Chairman of the opposition Caucus meeting of the party. Secondus from parading Secondus and the PDP. satisfi ed after reading the Peoples Democratic Party Justice O. Gbasam of the himself as chairman and But last Thursday, Justice affi davit of the respondents Following a favourable court (PDP), at the national Degema Judicial Division member of the PDP, sequel Nusirat Umar of the Kebbi that an interim order should ruling last Thursday, Prince headquarters of the party vacation court, Rivers State to the consideration of an ex State High Court ordered be granted on the purported Uche Secondus yesterday in Abuja, but was prevented had, few days back, granted an parte application fi led by two Secondus to return to his resumed as the National from attending the National interim injunction restraining members of the party against position, saying she was Continued on page 5 Obasanjo: It’ll Cost Nigeria More to Break up Than to Remain One Says those who don’t want to see the country’s continued co-existence will fail Charles Ajunwa secession agitations, fueled by perceived injustice and Former President Olusegun worsening security situation, Obasanjo yesterday reiterated across the country. his support for a united The Buhari government Nigeria, saying the cost for has been battling with Nigeria not to continue existing secessionist groups, including “is much more than the cost the proscribed Indigenous to make Nigeria to continue People of Biafra (IPOB), to exist.” led by detained Nnamdi Obasanjo, who spoke during Kanu; as well as the Yoruba the book launch and 85th Nation secessionist group, birthday celebration of his spearheaded by Prof Banji Eminence, Sunday Mbang, Akintoye and Sunday former Prelate of the Methodist Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho. Church Nigeria, held in Lagos, But Obasanjo, who was the declared that those who did convener of the programme not want to see the country’s in honour of Mbang, assured continued co-existence would the respected Christian leader fail. that the enemies of Nigeria The former president’s would not win. declaration is coming amid Continued on page 5 Irabor: Armed Forces Reviewing CELEBRATING MBANG@85... L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Sunday Mbang; and Akwa Ibom Operations in Trouble Spots... Page 10 State Governor, Udom Emmanuel; during the launch of a book on the memoirs and 85th birthday celebration of Mbang in Lagos…yesterday 2 SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 2021 • THISDAY SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾˜ͺ˜ͺͺ 5 PAGE FIVE FG Orders Stoppage of Striking Doctors' Salaries Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØÌßÔË doctors that are on strike salary arrears ranging from still owe its members several Laws of the Federation of members commenced. and on any health worker seven to 19 months. months’ salaries. Nigeria, (no work, no pay), "Consequent on the above, I The federal government that may join the strike The striking doctors The communiqué, signed states in part: "We are in am directed to inform you to has commenced the subsequently. had earlier refused to by the president of NARD, receipt of a letter from the commence the implementation implementation of the no Resident doctors under sign a Memorandum of Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi Minister of Labour and of the no work, no pay, policy work, no pay rule on striking the auspices of the National Understanding brokered said after a critical appraisal Employment informing on the striking doctors, with doctors with effect from Association of Resident by the Minister of Labour of the issues affecting their the minister of the laws effect from Monday August Monday August 2, 2021. Doctors (NARD) had vowed and Employment, Chris members, as well as the governing the ongoing strike 2, including other health In a letter dated Friday, to sustain the ongoing Ngige and the President of exparte injunction obtained by the members of National workers that may embark August 27 and signed by nationwide industrial action Nigerian Medical Association against it by government, Association of Resident on strike subsequently. the Director of Hospital until their demands were (NMA), Prof. Innocent Ujah, the association decided to Doctors (NARD) and the "You are to compute the Services Department in met by the federal and state which gave specific timelines continue the strike. need to immediately apply financial implications of the the Federal Ministry of governments. for addressing the doctors' However, a letter addressed the provisions of section 43 no work, no pay rule from Health, Dr. Adebimpe The doctors, who are demands. to the chief medical directors (1) (a) of the Trade Union Act the salaries of the resident Adebiyi, it directed all the protesting the alleged In a communiqué issued at and managing directors on special provisions with doctors and any other health Chief Medical Directors and non-implementation of the the end of the meeting of the of federal tertiary health respect to payment of salaries worker that participated in Managing Directors of federal Memorandum of Agreement National Executive Council institutions, titled : "Re- Law during strikes and lock outs, the strike, using the attached government's tertiary health it reached with government in (NEC), held in Benin-City, and Principles Concerning the known in labour parlance as template and forwarded to institutions to commence December 2020, said that the Edo State, NARD expressed Right to Strike; Application "No work, no pay" with effect the IPPIS office, through the the implementation of the federal government and some disappointment that Abia, of Section 43 (1) (A), of the from Monday, August 2, 2021 Federal Ministry of Health no work, no pay rule on the states owed their members Imo, Ekiti and Ondo states Trade Union Act Cap T8, when the strike by NARD for implementation." CONVOKE NATIONAL DIALOGUE NOW TO SAVE NIGERIA, OKOWA TELLS FG is still concentrated in the government, and I believe opinion leaders in the different are one people though with own pace; we may not all Quoting from the Bible, centre against the principles that it is not right and it is parts of Nigeria and speak different ethnic groups and be able to grow at the same Mogekwu said that the future of true federalism. time for more powers to be truth to ourselves." we have come to realise that pace and we must realise this was bright for the state, as He likened the nation to devolved to the states and Nevertheless, the governor we can only do better if we as a nation," he stated. long as Deltans continued to the human body with many more money and resources congratulated all Deltans work together as one state. Bishop of Anglican Diocese put their trust in God in all parts, which needed to be given to the states. on the occasion of the 30th "I thank our past leaders of Asaba, Rt. Rev'd Justus their ways. healthy for the whole body "Nigeria will be better for anniversary of the state's for laying a solid foundation Mogekwu, in his sermon said He pointed out that politics to function properly, saying it if we restructure, but the creation, noting that the state for the development of the Delta was a microcosm of without integrity has been the that it could not be well with greatest challenge we have is had come thus far because state which we have been Nigeria because of the diverse bane of Nigeria's development the nation, "if it is not well as a result of insecurity and God's presence had been building upon. ethnic groups in the state, and urged politicians to stop with the component parts." it is pushing many people with it. "We thank God because that but stated that in spite of the cross-carpeting from one He cautioned against more into the poverty line. Okowa recalled that when foundation is truly strong. diversity, the people lived political party to another. building the nation for the "As a country, we are the state was created in 1991, Today in Delta we can look together in unity, love and The thanksgiving service elite and the rich while the troubled and there are so it was greeted with cautious round and find that there are peace.