Activities at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu were disrupted on Tuesday as workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) commenced an indefinite strike over what they described as “obnoxious same-scale promotion” implemented during the hospital’s 2025 promotion exercise.

The protesting workers, who came out in large numbers, marched from the hospital’s Boulevard area to the main gate, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards demanding immediate reversal of the promotion exercise which they said amounted to stagnation and demotion of staff.

The industrial action followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the management of the hospital on April 27, 2026, during which the unions demanded the withdrawal of the controversial promotion policy.

Workers of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu on strike

Addressing the workers during the demonstration, the Enugu State Vice Chairman of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comrade Innocent Ejike, assured the aggrieved staff of labour’s support, insisting that injustice against workers would not be allowed to stand.

“As far as we’re concerned, what is wrong will never stand. If they’re working against you, they’re working against all of us and we’ll never allow that to stand,” he said.

He urged the workers to remain united and disciplined throughout the struggle, stressing that division among workers would weaken their cause.

“There’s no way somebody will go through the rudiments and process of promotion exams and you still keep him in the same position. That is another name for stagnation,” he added.

Also speaking, Chairman Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu, Comrade Chukwuemeka Edwin, said the unions were at the hospital to demonstrate solidarity with their members, recalling a similar experience at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu in 2011.

According to him, workers in the orthopaedic hospital resisted attempts to deny them “skipping” during promotions under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), warning that labour would resist any attempt to revive the policy at FNHE.

“What they did to us then was that people moving from CONHESS 10 to 11 were promoted to the same CONHESS 10, while those moving from 11 to 12 were retained on the same level of 11. We resisted it completely.

“After 15 years of that dark era, we are now seeing the same thing being implemented at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu. It will never happen,” he declared.

Edwin described the implementation of same-scale promotion as “illegal,” insisting that healthcare promotion remained a “no-go area.”

“The only thing that should call you back from this strike is the withdrawal of that letter,” he told the protesting workers.

Chairman of the National Union of Allied Health Workers and Professionals Enugu State Chapter and past Chairman of Trade Union Congress, TUC, in the state, Asogwa Benjamin, said the unions resorted to strike action after exhausting all avenues for dialogue with management.

“After the 21-day ultimatum, we still gave a grace period of two days. So, we are constrained to take up this last option,” he stated.

Similarly, Acting Chairman of NANNM in the hospital, Comrade Ajiri Okezie, insisted that the workers were only demanding their legitimate rights.

“Promotion is not a privilege but a right. We consulted widely before taking this action. Until you hear from us, don’t come to work,” he said.

The Acting Chairman of JOHESU and Senior Staff Association leader, Cletus Nwankwo, also threw his weight behind the strike, describing the workers’ action as justified.

In the April 27 ultimatum jointly signed by leaders of JOHESU affiliates and NANNM in the hospital, the unions accused the management of subjecting workers to “same-scale promotion” during the 2025 exercise.

The unions stated that the exercise was “not promotion but rather stagnation/demotion,” warning that they could no longer guarantee industrial harmony if the decision was not reversed.

The workers anchored part of their demands on a 2017 circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health following a memorandum of terms of settlement reached with JOHESU after a nationwide strike.

In the October 3, 2017 document signed on behalf of the Minister by Dr. W. D. Balami, Head of Department of Hospital Services, the ministry expressly directed federal health institutions that “there should be no same-scale promotion in accordance with the Public Service Rule.”

The document also directed hospitals to pay arrears of “skipping” and other allowances owed to health workers.

Union leaders at the protest argued that the current promotion exercise at FNHE violated the 2017 agreement and contravened established public service rules guiding promotions in the health sector.

As of the time of filing this report, the management of the hospital had yet to officially respond to the allegations and the ongoing strike action.

• Public display of caskets, dancing with caskets, others abolished

The Anambra State Government has introduced strict new legislation regulating funeral rites, effectively outlawing midweek burials and banning the presentation of items such as cows, goats and other expensive gifts during condolence visits.

The law, enacted by the Anambra State House of Assembly, is aimed at regulating burial and funeral ceremony activities in the state.

According to the law obtained by our correspondent on Monday, the state described the move as a major step towards curbing extravagant funeral practices that have long placed heavy financial burdens on bereaved families.

The regulations are also aimed at boosting economic productivity, reducing extravagant spending and stopping prolonged, lavish funeral activities from disrupting working days.

Under the legislation, “No person shall give to the deceased person’s family, as a condolence gift, any item exceeding money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer and one crate of soft drinks.

“All burial and funeral ceremonies are now restricted to Saturdays only. Midweek (Monday to Friday) burials are prohibited. All burial ceremonies must be completed within one day.”

The burial law also contains far-reaching provisions aimed at reducing ostentatious funeral ceremonies across the state, stating that offenders are liable to a fine of ₦100,000, or six months’ imprisonment, or both.

By the law, the common practice of presenting cows, goats, bags of rice and other expensive items at funerals and condolence visits is banned.

The law is intended to remove financial burden and pressure on bereaved families and to curb oppressive practices during burials.

It states, “All burial ceremonies must be completed within one day, while wake-keep ceremonies have been abolished entirely.

“Vigil masses, services of songs and related religious activities must end by 9pm, and no food, drinks, live bands or cultural entertainment may be provided during such events.

“The law also prohibits the erection of billboards, banners and posters of deceased persons anywhere in the state.

“Only directional signs leading to burial venues are permitted, and they cannot be displayed earlier than seven days before the burial date.

“Public display of caskets for advertisement or sale is barred, and dancing with caskets is prohibited.

“Undertakers are limited to six persons during funeral activities.

“Corpses are not to remain in mortuaries beyond two months from the date of death.

“Any corpse kept longer risks being classified as a ‘rejected corpse’ and may be buried in government-designated burial grounds to be established in every community.”

The legislation also seeks to limit excessive spending by making food and drinks optional for guests and banning the sharing of souvenirs during funerals.

“Second funeral rites are prohibited except in legacy-related cases.

“The wearing of uniform attire, popularly known as ‘aso ebi’, is restricted to immediate family members, church groups, ‘umunna’, ‘umuada’ and ‘iyom di’, where applicable.

“To enforce compliance, the state will establish monitoring and implementation committees in various communities to oversee the registration of deaths, approve burial ceremonies and monitor adherence to the law.

“Traditional youth practices deemed disruptive have also been outlawed, including public display of photographs of the deceased, destruction of crops or household property, and unauthorised use of firearms during burials,” it added.

The government’s latest move is aimed at restoring order to burial ceremonies and easing the financial burden on families.

The law also warns against the blocking of roads and streets during burial ceremonies.

Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, was reportedly denied clearance to take part in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary screening in Kogi State after he failed to appear before the party’s screening panel.

According to a screening report from the Kogi State secretariat of the APC obtained by Sahara Reporters, Bello’s name was not among the aspirants cleared for the exercise.

Sources within the APC told Sahara Reporters that Bello stayed away from the screening exercise because of questions connected to ongoing criminal investigations and court cases.

The source claimed the former governor was not cleared because he did not participate in the screening process.

Another source told the publication that one of the questions in the APC senatorial form required aspirants to disclose any ongoing criminal investigation, which may have influenced Bello’s decision not to attend the screening.

The source further alleged that EFCC officials were expected around the party secretariat during the screening exercise, forcing Bello to avoid the venue and travel to Lagos instead.

The development comes as the former governor continues to battle corruption cases filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello is currently facing two separate criminal trials linked to alleged financial misconduct during his time as governor of Kogi State.

One of the cases involves an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charge filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The EFCC accused him and other persons of diverting public funds through private accounts and using part of the money to acquire expensive properties in Nigeria and Dubai.

The anti-graft agency also accused the former governor of criminal breach of trust in the case, which is being handled by Justice Emeka Nwite.

During the ongoing trial, bank officials and other witnesses reportedly gave evidence concerning cash transactions allegedly carried out to avoid financial reporting rules.

Apart from the N80.2 billion case, Bello is also standing trial over another alleged fraud case involving N110.4 billion. In that matter, the EFCC accused him alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu of illegally diverting funds belonging to Kogi State.

Bello is seeking to contest for the Kogi Central Senatorial District seat, but his ambition has continued to generate reactions because of the corruption allegations hanging over him.