…says the union yet to take a decision on suspending the strike.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times reports that the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions Sector, has dismissed claims by Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate that it has suspended its ongoing seven-day warning strike.
The iNews Times had earlier reported that the Minister announced the strike had been called off following a closed-door meeting with union leaders in Abuja.
However, the association has firmly denied this assertion, stating that the industrial action remains in full force.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, the National Public Relations Officer of NANNM-FHI, Omomo Tibiebi, clarified that the union is yet to take a decision on suspending the action, and described the minister’s statement as premature and inaccurate.
“The strike has not been suspended. Earlier today, the NANNM executives had a meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and it was the minister who went to the press to say the act was called off,” Tibiebi said.
“He wasn’t the one that called the strike in the first place, so he has no right to call off the strike. So, the strike is still on,” he added.
Tibiebi further noted that a final decision will be made after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for Saturday.
“There will be a National Executive Council meeting by tomorrow (Saturday), and that’s when a decision will be made, and we would know if what the Federal Government has promised is good enough for us to suspend the strike,” he stated.
The warning action, which began earlier in the week, has seen nurses across federal health institutions withdraw their services, citing long-standing grievances including poor working conditions, delayed promotions, and inadequate welfare.
As of press time, hospitals under the affected institutions continue to experience service disruptions, while the public awaits the outcome of the upcoming NEC meeting.
