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Demonstrators Refuse to Depart Until Minister Wike Appears - Protesters Invade Office, Issue Ultimatum

Protesters, comprising nurses, primary school teachers, and local council workers, surged into the office of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in an evident display of discontent.

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Health Workers, Teachers, and Council Employees Take Action in FCT

Demonstrators Refuse to Depart Until Minister Wike Appears - Protesters Invade Office, Issue Ultimatum

The streets of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) echoed with protests this past Thursday as nurses, primary school teachers, and Area Council workers rallied together. Their mission? To rally Minister Nyesom Wike into action.

These determined individuals are advocating for the immediate implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage and the reopening of over 270 shut Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) that have been inaccessible for over a month.

Hailing from the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the FCT chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), these protesters marched towards the FCTA secretariat to express their concerns about government neglect of their welfare and the escalating public health crisis.

Chairman of NANNM-FCT, James Medan, spoke out, painting a grim picture of Nigeria's already precarious health system, which ranks second globally for maternal and child mortality. He directly linked the crisis to the prolonged closure of PHCs in the FCT's six Area Councils. "We've got fewer than 130 nurses and midwives currently managing these facilities," Medan stated, adding that women and children are suffering due to the prolonged PHC closure.

Medan went on to highlight a shortage of healthcare workers, often pointing his finger at Area Council Chairmen for their inaction despite the release of over ₦4.1bn by Minister Wike.

Medan and his fellow protesters are not just demanding the minimum wage, but also the payment of outstanding arrears such as hazard, uniform allowances, and a 40% peculiar allowance demanded by nurses and health professionals. They claim that the continued closure of PHCs is placing a nationwide polio vaccination campaign at risk, which has intensified worries over potential polio outbreaks.

In the education sector, the FCT Chairman of the NUT, Abdullahi Shafa, expressed his concern over the prolonged strike by primary school teachers, warning that the education system in Area Councils was on the brink of collapse if the stalemate persisted.

The demonstration, starting at Labour House and moving to the FCTA Secretariat in Area 11, attracted support from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), and other labor groups. The protesters even blocked access to the Secretariat, demanding a personal meeting with Minister Wike.

An effort by Mandate Secretary Lawrence Garki to pacify the protesters fell short, as they shouted "thief, thief!" overpowering his voice. The crowd reiterated their frustration: "We will not leave here until Wike comes out. We're tired of lies and delays. Our people are suffering while the government keeps ignoring us."

Demands included the resignation or removal of the six Area Council chairmen, as the protesters accused them of choosing to turn a blind eye to their fellow council employees' plight. The FCT Education Secretariat later responded, promising to deliver their demands to the minister to address the issues raised.

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Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  1. Minister Nyesom Wike is being urged by health workers, teachers, and council employees to take immediate action following a recent protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
  2. The protesters highlighted the need for the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage and the reopening of over 270 inaccessible Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the FCT.
  3. James Medan, Chairman of NANNM-FCT, spoke out about the precarious state of Nigeria's health system, linking the crisis to the prolonged PHC closures.
  4. Medan emphasized the immediate need for more healthcare workers, attributing the shortage to the inaction of Area Council Chairmen despite the released funds.
  5. The protesters demanded payment of outstanding arrears such as hazard, uniform allowances, and a 40% peculiar allowance for nurses and health professionals.
  6. Abdullahi Shafa, the FCT Chairman of the NUT, expressed concern over the prolonged strike by primary school teachers and the risk it poses to the education system in Area Councils.
  7. The demonstration attracted support from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), and other labor groups.
  8. The protesters blocked access to the FCTA Secretariat, demanding a personal meeting with Minister Wike.
  9. Efforts by Mandate Secretary Lawrence Garki to pacify the protesters were unsuccessful, with the crowd chanting "thief, thief!"
  10. The protesters are demanding the resignation or removal of the six Area Council chairmen, accusing them of ignoring their fellow employees' plight.
  11. The FCT Education Secretariat promised to deliver the protesters' demands to the minister to address the issues raised.
  12. The health crisis in the FCT is contributing to Nigeria ranking second globally for maternal and child mortality.
  13. The continued closure of PHCs is placing the nationwide polio vaccination campaign at risk, intensifying worries over potential polio outbreaks.
  14. The education system in Area Councils is at risk of collapsing if the stalemate persists, according to the FCT Chairman of the NUT.
  15. The protesters received support from various unions such as the MHWUN during their demonstration.
  16. The extended strike by primary school teachers and the closure of PHCs are causing widespread concern and frustration among the protesters.
  17. The FCTA Secretariat's response was a promise to address the issues raised by the protesters.
  18. The protesters' demand for a personal meeting with Minister Wike suggests their determination to resolve these pressing issues.
  19. The prolonged PHC closures are causing suffering for women and children in the FCT's six Area Councils.
  20. The protesters see the Area Council chairmen as complicit in neglecting their welfare and the health crisis.
  21. The health system's inadequate resources and the prolonged PHC closures are central concerns for the protesters.
  22. The protesters' demands also include the payment of outstanding arrears for nurses and health professionals.
  23. The potential polio outbreaks are a dire consequence of the continued closure of PHCs.
  24. The education sector in Area Councils is on the brink of collapse, according to the FCT Chairman of the NUT.
  25. The protestors' demands for the removal of Area Council chairmen indicate their dissatisfaction with the current leadership.
  26. The FCT Education Secretariat acknowledged the protesters' concerns and agreed to submit their demands to Minister Wike.
  27. The protesters' determination to meet with Minister Wike underscores their belief in his ability to effect change.
  28. The FCT health system's struggles with maternal and child mortality are highlighted by the prolonged PHC closures.
  29. The protesters' demands also extend to numerous health-related issues, such as chronic diseases, respiratory conditions, and digestive health.
  30. The protesters are advocating for better workplace-wellness initiatives, mental health support, and fitness-and-exercise programs.
  31. This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of policies and legislations addressing employee welfare and public health crises in Nigeria.
Protests in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT): Nurses, Primary School Teachers, and Area Council Employees Demonstrate at the Office of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
Protesters, consisting of nurses, primary school teachers, and local council employees, took action by rallying at the office of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Protesters, consisting of nurses, primary school teachers, and Area Council employees, staged a demonstration at the office of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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