MDCAN calls for removal of UNIZIK Pro-Chancellor, announces 7-day warning strike

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has called on the federal government to promptly dismiss Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe from his role as pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK).

The council cited insubordination and his failure to follow a directive from the Ministry of Education.

A recent letter from the Federal Ministry of Education, signed by R. A. Ilyasu on behalf of the permanent secretary, had nullified the appointment of Prof Bernard Odoh as the vice-chancellor of UNIZIK, located in Awka, Anambra State.

MDCAN has also declared a seven-day warning strike beginning Monday, 18th November 2024, which will affect all services provided by its members in Nigerian universities and public hospitals.

This information was outlined in a communiqué issued in Jos following an extraordinary virtual NEC meeting held on Monday, 11th November 2024.

During the meeting, members discussed their dissatisfaction with the ongoing situation, including Prof Bernard Odoh continuing to act as the vice-chancellor despite the government’s annulment.

Signed by the MDCAN president, Prof Aminu Mohammad, and secretary, Prof Daiyabu Ibrahim, the communiqué further called for the federal government to create an inclusive advertisement template for appointing university vice-chancellors.

They recommended using Ahmadu Bello University Zaria’s recent vice-chancellor recruitment advertisement as a model for future appointments.

MDCAN also criticised the government’s lack of action in extending the retirement age of medical consultants to 70, an adjustment they say would address the shortage of skilled professionals required for training, research, and healthcare in the country.

The NEC expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for clinical lecturers at all Nigerian universities.

They urged that the emoluments of Medical Lecturers be aligned with the “Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS)” to standardise salary and pension benefits across all Medical and Dental staff.

The communiqué noted that NEC would reconvene after the 7-day warning strike to review the situation and evaluate the government’s response to decide the next steps.