By Laja Thomas
The Lagos State Council  of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ,  has advised striking doctors in the state public hospitals to call off its 3-month old strike in the spirit of the  festive season.

The council in a statement by the Acting Chairman, Mr. Deji Elumoye, at the end of its November, 2010 Congress, weekend, enjoined the striking  medical doctors in Lagos State public hospitals to accept the 75% salary increase offered by the state government  and call off the industrial action in the interest of the suffering masses.

The congress–in-session also urged the doctors to give room for negotiations with the state government.

The congress further enjoined the doctors to consider the plea of all categories of organisations and individuals including the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and civil society groups for them to see reason and return to work in the  interest of the  suffering millions of Lagosians.

who have been denied access to public health care. The congress however, regretted the recent bombing of the residence of the Special Adviser on Niger Delta to the President,  Mr. Timi Alaibe in  Bayelsa state and urged  the security agencies to fish out the culprits, “especially as we are  approaching the 2011 general  elections’’.

The communiqué further said the re-run election in Delta state will be a test case for  the Independent  National Electoral Commission, (INEC),  hence the electoral body should ensure that the forthcoming election  in Delta  is successful by making sure that people’s votes count.

While saying the outcome of the Delta  election would prove the sincerity of INEC, Lagos journalists also canvassed   for stiffer penalties for election riggers.