The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected the Federal Government’s threat to deduct seven days’ pay from doctors’ salaries for participating in a recent strike. The strike aimed to secure the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a colleague kidnapped in December 2023.
Dr. Kefas Wida, NARD’s Vice President II, described the government’s threat as “insensitive” and emphasized that doctors are willing to make sacrifices for their colleague’s safe return.
“The life of our colleague is more important than the amount of money they are going to remove from the salaries of the doctors,” Wida stated.
NARD embarked on a seven-day warning strike to demand Dr. Popoola’s rescue, kidnapped at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, almost nine months ago.
The Federal Government responded with a threat to implement the “no work, no pay” policy, but Wida remains resolute.
“Our members don’t care. At the end of the day, if that can be done, then we can succeed in bringing back our colleague,” he said.
NARD prioritizes Dr. Popoola’s safe return over salary considerations, viewing the government’s stance as unsympathetic.
The association remains committed to its demands, with Wida affirming, “We are ready to pursue all our demands.”
The standoff between NARD and the Federal Government continues, with the doctors unwavering in their demands.
The fate of Dr. Popoola and the resolution of this dispute remain uncertain, as NARD stands firm against the government’s pay deduction threat.
