Nigeria considers sanctions against South Africa over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The Nigerian Federal Government has expressed strong displeasure with the South African government's response to renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerian nationals, stating that retaliatory diplomatic measures, including a review of bilateral privileges, are under consideration. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, briefed State House correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, refuting claims by some South African authorities that the attacked Nigerians are illegal migrants. She highlighted that Nigerian passport holders are facing harassment, looting, and burning of their shops, and intimidation of their children in schools, while South African police reportedly fail to intervene. Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized Nigeria's historical support for South Africa's independence struggle, making the current treatment of Nigerians particularly painful. She noted that the attacks specifically target black migrants. When asked about retaliatory measures, the Minister confirmed that such actions are being considered at the highest level of government. The House of Representatives previously recommended a temporary suspension of business permits for South African companies in Nigeria, and the Senate plans to send a delegation to South Africa. President Tinubu has approved five Air Peace evacuation flights for Nigerians, with 1,092 individuals voluntarily registered for repatriation as of June 8. The first evacuation flight, initially scheduled for Jun
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The Federal Government has issued a directive requiring civil servants in human resource roles across ministries, departments, and agencies to obtain approved professional certifications within a year. This initiative aims to professionalize HR management within the Federal Civil Service. A circular from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation grants a 12-month moratorium for officers to acquire recognized certifications. Failure to comply will result in ineligibility for key personnel management positions. The policy outlines certification requirements, transitional arrangements, and conditions for deploying administrative cadre officers to HR roles. Recognized certifications include those from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the Society for Human Resource Management, the Human Resource Certification Institute, and Chartered Professionals in Human Resources. During the transition, officers can remain in their current positions or be deployed to HR-related duties if they provide verifiable evidence of enrollment and progress towards certification within six months. After the moratorium, an approved HR certification will be mandatory for deployment to HR roles in various federal institutions. This directive, effective immediately, is part of ongoing reforms to enhance professionalism and efficiency in public service personnel administration, aligning with global best practic
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Medical specialists at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, have expressed concerns about the scarcity of skilled emergency medicine personnel in Nigeria. They are urging governments and development partners to support specialist training to enhance emergency healthcare delivery. Dr. Dalhat Ibrahim, Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine at ATBUTH, highlighted that the shortage of trained professionals, exacerbated by healthcare worker migration and limited accredited training centers, significantly impacts the quality of emergency healthcare services. Emergency medicine is a relatively new specialty, with ATBUTH being the only center in the North-East offering such training. Dr. Ibrahim emphasized the need for more skilled personnel to improve patient care, reduce mortality, and enhance outcomes. He also noted that inadequate manpower leads to increased pressure on healthcare workers, contributing to workplace stress and potential misunderstandings with patients' relatives. The experts also raised concerns about rising incidents of violence against healthcare workers, describing it as a global challenge. Dr. Ibrahim appealed to the Federal Government, state governments, and donor agencies to sponsor healthcare workers for specialist training, citing the high cost as a barrier for many professionals. Dr. Safiya Tanko, a registrar in the Department of Emergency Medicine, attributed many disputes in emergency units to a lack of public understanding