..NMA, health workers commend governor for improved infrastructure, recruitment, staff welfare, training, accreditation

Staff of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT), Parklane, on Friday staged a solidarity march in support of the re-election of Governor Peter Mbah in the February 2027 governorship election, declaring their satisfaction with the administration’s interventions in the health sector and pledging to mobilise support for his return for a second term.

The march, which attracted senior and junior members of staff, interns and representatives of various unions in the hospital, was part of a series of activities, including medical outreaches and a football tournament, organised from October 21 to celebrate the governor’s achievements in the health and education sectors.

The procession, which commenced at the hospital premises and terminated at Okpara Square, Enugu, featured solidarity songs and expressions of support for the Mbah administration, with the participants describing the governor’s interventions as transformative for the state’s healthcare delivery system and the welfare of medical personnel.

Speaking during the event, the Chief Medical Director of ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Prof. Bertrand Ngwu, said the activities were organised to appreciate Governor Mbah for what he described as unprecedented investments in healthcare infrastructure, human capital development and workers’ welfare.

He listed the administration’s interventions to include massive recruitment of health personnel, continuous training and retraining of medical workers, upgrading of hospital infrastructure, and the payment of pensions and gratuities to retired workers.

Ngwu further highlighted the upgrading of departments and professional units across the hospital, including Medicine and Surgery, Radiography, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Nursing, as well as the strengthening of internship and residency training programmes, attributing the improvements to the governor’s visionary and innovative leadership.

He also recalled the establishment of four new campuses of the Schools of Nursing in Awgu, Nsukka, Oji River and Parklane, describing the expansion as part of the administration’s deliberate effort to strengthen the supply of skilled healthcare professionals across the state.

“We in Parklane dedicated today and tomorrow to appreciate our Governor for choosing health and education as his top priorities. Parklane today is manning the entire Enugu health sector professionally. Hospitals that run Accident and Emergency residency training programmes rely on our facility. There are two gigantic twin six-storey buildings and a seven-storey building at ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, currently being remodelled and raised to international standards under this administration,” he said.

The CMD also commended the administration for its interventions in maternal and child healthcare, the transformation of neonatal wards, refurbishment of the Children’s Emergency unit and the provision of modern equipment for operating theatres.

He particularly highlighted the Medical Residency Training Fund, noting that Enugu was among the few states investing in the programme, and said the administration’s support had helped the hospital secure several professional accreditations.

“That is why we, the staff of ESUT Teaching Hospital, say we are strongly behind Mbah in the coming election,” he added.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State Chapter, Dr. Chima Edoga, commended Governor Mbah for his sustained interventions in the health sector, noting that the improvements had significantly changed the working environment and professional prospects of medical doctors in the state.

Edoga recalled that the hospital previously experienced a steady exodus of medical doctors, but said the trend had been reversed under the present administration, with doctors now choosing to remain at Parklane and even medical personnel from federal teaching hospitals seeking employment there.

He described the solidarity march as a deliberate expression of appreciation by the medical community, adding that the governor had consistently demonstrated sensitivity to the needs and demands of doctors, particularly those working in tertiary healthcare institutions.

“As an association, we are so grateful to the Governor because he has always been sensitive to the yearnings, needs and demands of medical doctors working in the state, especially in the tertiary health institution. So, today we have come out en masse to walk from Parklane down to Okpara Square, which is symbolic, to express our joy and happiness with His Excellency and to tell him that we are happy with what he is doing,” he said.

Edoga expressed confidence that another four years under Mbah would enable the governor to consolidate and expand the gains already recorded in the sector.

Speaking on behalf of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Dr. Achi Ifeoma described Governor Mbah as an answered prayer for health workers, citing his responsiveness to their demands and his commitment to improving their welfare.

She said the union, which she described as the largest among the various labour unions in the hospital, had resolved to stand firmly behind the governor, adding that the solidarity march was also an opportunity to acknowledge the administration’s willingness to address issues raised by workers.

She assured that the union would mobilise its members in support of Mbah’s re-election in 2027.

The solidarity march ended at Okpara Square, where the hospital workers reiterated their support for the governor, describing the improvements in healthcare infrastructure, professional development and workers’ welfare as reasons for their endorsement of his second-term bid.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on Friday reportedly booed by some worshippers and other Nigerians shortly after observing Juma’at prayers at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Abuja.

Several video clips circulating on social media showed groups of youths chanting slogans against the President as his convoy departed the mosque.

A witness who attended the prayers told PREMIUM TIMES that the protest may have been triggered by restrictions imposed on worshippers ahead of the President’s visit.

The witness, who requested anonymity, said Tinubu arrived at the mosque at about 1:49 p.m., by which time access to the premises had reportedly been restricted.

According to the source, security operatives prevented people from entering the mosque after the President’s arrival. Roads leading to the facility were also blocked, while some security personnel reportedly mounted the perimeter fences as part of the security arrangements.

The restrictions allegedly continued after the prayers, with some worshippers prevented from leaving until the President’s departure.

The witness said the situation angered some of those affected, prompting them to express their frustration through chants directed at the President.

Some were heard chanting, “Ba mayi, ba ma so,” a Hausa expression loosely translated as “We do not support you,” while others shouted, “Tinubu Must Go,” a slogan associated with opposition to the President’s re-election bid.

Another source at the mosque also attributed the incident partly to the security arrangements, which were described as excessive and inconvenient to worshippers.

“People were stopped from entering the mosque after the President had entered. Several people were stuck outside,” the source said.

The source added that some worshippers were also prevented from leaving until Tinubu departed, alleging that the booing started from the area where people had been barricaded.

The incident comes amid growing political activities and opposition mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Presidency were unsuccessful, as Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to calls seeking his reaction as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, during the Friday service, the Chief Imam of the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque, Area 1, Garki, Rabiu Suleiman, delivered a sermon focusing on lessons from Surah Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the Quran.

The Imam urged Muslims to uphold the oneness of Allah and seek steadfastness in their faith.

He also prayed for peace, the President’s good health and greater wisdom, asking Allah to guide Tinubu in leading Nigeria towards prosperity.

Suleiman further acknowledged the President’s contributions to the renovation of the mosque.

Tinubu was accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

The presidential election is scheduled for January 2027, with Tinubu expected to face significant opposition from prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

It would be recalled that on the eve of the 2023 general elections, Tinubu, who was then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), observed Friday prayers at several mosques, including Berger Mosque, the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, and the National Mosque in Abuja.

However, no similar incident of public booing was reported during those visits.

The Archbishop of Awka Diocese discontinues legal action against two top Anglican leaders, raising hopes of an amicable settlement and restoration of unity within the Church of Nigeria.

The Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has withdrawn his lawsuit against the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, and the Dean of the Church, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, in a development that could pave the way for an amicable resolution of the dispute.

The withdrawal is seen as a significant step towards resolving the disagreement through dialogue and reconciliation rather than prolonged legal confrontation.

The development was conveyed in a Notice of Discontinuance/Withdrawal of Suit filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division, in Suit No. A/371/2026.

In the notice dated Friday, November 13, 2026, and signed by the plaintiff’s counsel, Chief B.E.I. Nwofor, SAN, Archbishop Ibezim formally notified the court of his decision to discontinue and withdraw the suit to allow room for an amicable resolution of the dispute.

The suit was instituted against Ndukuba, who is the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, and Enyindah, who serves as the Dean of the Church of Nigeria and chairman of the visitation team to the Diocese of Awka.

The legal dispute arose from the constitution of a visitation team by the Primate, which Archbishop Ibezim had challenged on grounds of its legality.

Specifically, the Awka diocesan bishop questioned the constitution of the team by the first defendant in a letter dated June 17, 2026.

However, his decision to withdraw the case signals a possible shift towards dialogue and mutual understanding among the senior Church leaders.

The development is expected to create an opportunity for the parties to address their differences through the established structures of the Church and work towards restoring cordial relationships.

It could also help ease tensions within the Anglican Communion, particularly at a time when unity, institutional stability and confidence in the Church’s leadership remain important considerations.

Disagreements involving senior clerics can have wider implications for the Church, its clergy and congregation. Consequently, an amicable resolution would be significant in preserving the unity and spiritual integrity of the institution.

Nevertheless, the Notice of Discontinuance does not disclose the specific terms of any proposed settlement or indicate whether the parties have already reached an agreement.

It also remains unclear whether a formal reconciliation process has commenced or what arrangements may be adopted to resolve the substantive issues that led to the litigation.

The withdrawal, however, marks an important development in the dispute, with attention now shifting to whether the parties can translate the decision into a lasting and mutually acceptable settlement.