IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Thousands of UK doctors launched a five-day strike early Friday after talks with the Labour government for a new pay increase failed to reach a deal.

Doctors were out on picket lines outside hospitals after negotiations with the government went down the wire late Thursday, without reaching an accord.

The move comes after the doctors accepted a pay rise offer totalling 22.3 percent over two years in September, soon after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour party took power. Resident doctors — those below consultant level — have said they felt they had “no choice” but to strike again to reverse “pay erosion” since 2008.

Starmer on Friday appealed to the doctors, saying patients were being put at risk and the strikes would “cause real damage”. Launching a strike “will mean everyone loses,” Starmer wrote in the Times, highlighting the added strain it would put on the already struggling National Health Service (NHS).

He appealed to the doctors not to “follow” their union, the British Medical Association (BMA) “down this damaging road. Our NHS and your patients need you”. “Lives will be blighted by this decision,” Starmer warned. 

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has conferred the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on the following 57 lawyers:

Theophilus Kolawole Esan

Fedude Zimughan

Ernest Chikwendu Ikejle

Victor Esiri Akpoguma

Leslie Akujuobi Njemanze

Akintunde Wilson Adewale

Preye Agedah

Omamuzo Erebe

Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo

Olumide Ekisola

George Ejie Ukaegbu

Oromena Justice Ajakpovi

Tairu Adebayo

Bawa Akhimie Osali Ibrahim

Suleh Umar

Emeka Akabogu

Godwin Sunday Ogboji

Godwin Aimuagbonrie Idiagbonya

Adeolu Olusegun Salako

Adetunji Oso

Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo

Shuaib Agbarere Mustapha

Adizua Chu-Chu Okoroafor

Olanrewaju Tasleem Akinsola

Amaechi Fidelis Iteshi

Adakole Edwin Inegedu

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya

David Ogenyi Ogebe

Aminu Sani Gadanya

Oluseun Awonuga Adentyi

Ikechukwu Raphael Uwanna

Ayodeji Joseph Ademola

Kelechi Nwaiwu

Lawal Garba Hudu

Ibim Simeon Dokubo

Luka Abubakar Haruna Musa

Shakeer Adedayo Oshodi

Oluwole Tolulope Jimi-Bada

Mubarak Tijani Adekilekun

Chinyere Ekene Moneme

Shuaibu Magaji Labaran

Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh

Augustine Enenche Audu

Ali Dussah Zubairu

Adeyemi Adebambo Pitan

Habeeb Abdulrahman Oredola

Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal

Victor Agunzi

Nkwegu Luke Ogbagaegwu

Bidemi Ifedunni Ademola-Bello

Temilolu Femi Adamolekun

Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude

Adedayo Gbolahan Adesina

Usman Yusuf Zaiyanu

Taiwo Azeez Hassan

Olufemi Olubummi Oyewole

Prof. Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu

These appointments reflect excellence in legal practice and contribution to the development of law in Nigeria. 

Manchester City are set to re-sign English goalkeeper James Trafford for £27m, two years after he left to join Burnley. The 22-year-old City academy graduate signed for the Clarets in July 2023 in deal worth up to £19m with add-ons.

He impressed last season as Scott Parker's side won promotion back to the Premier League, keeping 29 clean sheets across 45 Championship games, and was named in the division team of the year.

City had a buy-back clause for Trafford but also matching rights, allowing them to match any offer from another club. They have done so following a £27m bid from Newcastle and Trafford has opted for a return to Manchester.

The England Under-21 international is expected to sign a five-year contract at Etihad Stadium with the option for another year. 

Suspected IPOB members attacked three communities in Arondizuogu, Imo State, on Friday, killing over seven people and injuring several others. Police have deployed tactical units and say the situation is now under control. 

President Bola Tinubu has approved full allowances and bonuses for the Super Falcons ahead of their WAFCON final against Morocco.

National Sports Commission Chairman, Shehu Dikko, confirmed all entitlements have been disbursed, with similar support promised for D’Tigress ahead of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket. 

Dr. Anthony Idigbe, SAN, has denied reports of his removal as Chairman of The Tourist Company of Nigeria (TCN), stating the board never discussed his ouster at its July 22 meeting. 

He said the session focused on SEC’s forensic audit findings, which sparked backlash from some shareholders. Idigbe blamed the controversy on aggrieved factions unhappy with the audit, accusing them of media manipulation and court avoidance. He reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the Ikeja Hotel Plc leadership crisis and stabilizing governance.