From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
Nigerians resident in London, United Kingdom on Friday protested against President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to return home and address the indefinite strike embarked upon by doctors in the country.
A radio guest, Gad Shamaki, a civil society activist, and a public commentator made the disclosure Saturday morning in Jos, the Plateau state capital; The Voice Newspaper monitored the report via a live radio phone-in programme (View Point) on a private radio station, Rhythm, 93.7 Jos.
This newspaper had twice reported the recent medical trip of Mr President abroad and the implication of not handing over powers to the Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo.
It was gathered that Nigerians resident in London, during the said protest; which the Metropolitan Police in London gave permission was massive and peaceful.
The protesters asked President Buhari to return to the country and address the pertinent issues since he didn’t handover power to his lieutenant.
It is no longer news that Nigerian doctors serving in federal government established hospitals have embarked on an indefinite strike due to non payment of health hazard allowance, particularly for their colleagues who died in the line of duty during COVID-19 pandemic.
Shamaki questioned the whereabouts of the huge sum donated by individuals, banks and companies towards support to government in curbing COVID-19 pandemic.
The radio commentator said that the doctors have the right to protest against the delay in payment of their allowance.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Sen. Chris Ngige, Friday evening threatened a no work no pay policy on the striking Nigerian doctors, should they fail to return to work.
The industrial action by the doctors at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in Plateau state has affected many patients negatively.
Critical patients at JUTH had to be referred to missionary and private hospitals within Jos for medical attention, which are exorbitant.
Mr Shamaki expressed disappointment over deplorable condition of the health sector in Nigeria.
According to him, an undisclosed hospital in Nigeria has stopped surgery on patients due to lack of constant electricity.
