ACF urges striking health workers to resume work

THE Arewa Consultattive Forum (ACF) has called on the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) to call off its nationwide strike to prevent further loss of lives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chairman of the Sokoto State chapter of the forum, Amb. Bala Sokoto, made the appeal in Sokoto on Monday.

“This unfortunate strike which had lingered on for so long should please be called off immediately by the national body of the union,” he urged.

Sokoto spoke at a mediation meeting between the state executives of the forum and those of the Union.

“We know that many of our people are suffering because of the strike just like other Nigerians.

“We are aware of the skeletal services being offered by the senior management staff and students of health institutions, but feel that this is nowhere near satisfactory services for the care of our teeming sick everyday,” he added.

Sokoto also said that the forum was aware with the concern shown by the striking workers.

He expressed optimism that the consultative meeting would come out with a reasonable understanding with the union.

“ACF is a non-partisan organisation interested in the unity, general well-being and development of the north and Nigeria at large.

“We invited JOHESU to discuss amicably with them so as to see how we can broker peace between them and the Sokoto State Government.

The former envoy said that the intervention was purely in the interest of the Nigerian masses and humanity at large.

The state Chairman of JOHESU, Mr Aminu Umar, commended the ACF for the intervention.

“Consultations are on to call off the strike but this timely intervention will help in exerting more pressure on the two parties to amicably resolve the impasse soon,” Umar said.

He explained that the union was not having any problems with the state government, but the nationwide strike was for a collective responsibility.

“I think that health workers in Sokoto state are among the best paid in Nigeria but we have to obey the directive of our national body,” he explained. (NAN)