The National Executive Council (NEC), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), has declared a 7-day warning strike and demanded the removal of the Pro-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa, in Anambra State.
Recall that the university has been embroiled in crisis over the exclusion of members of MDCAN from the contest for the university vice chancellorship.
The Association, in a communiqué issued and signed by its President, Prof. Aminu Mohammad, and Secretary, Prof. Daiyabu Ibrahim, respectively, at the end of its extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) extraordinary virtual meeting coordinated from Jos, said the strike will take effect from Monday, November 18, 2024, adding that it will affect all services rendered by its members in all Nigerian universities and public hospitals in the country.
It also demanded that the federal government should immediately relieve Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe from his position as pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, for his insubordination and refusal to enforce the Ministry of Education’s directive nullifying the recent appointment of the Vice Chancellor of the university.
The MDCAN further expressed dismay that the affected appointees are still parading themselves as the pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council and vice chancellor, respectively.
The Association further wants a review of the retirement age of medical consultants to 70 years to address the current shortfall of critical manpower for training, research, and healthcare services in the country.
The NEC frowned at the failure of the government to universally implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for Clinical Lecturers in all Nigerian Universities, which aims to mitigate the current shortfalls in the emolument, entry level, and pension contribution of her members.
The communiqué further called on the Federal Government to develop an all-inclusive prototype of advertisement for the Office of Vice Chancellor.
They argued that the advertisement for the Office of Vice Chancellor, as recently issued by Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, should serve as a guide for future selection of the university’s vice chancellors in the country.
The MDCAN further demanded the harmonisation of payment of emoluments of medical lecturers with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) in order to ensure universal applicability of CONMESS to all medical and dental officers.
It further resolved that NEC would reconvene at the expiration of the 7-day warning strike notice to reassess the situation and progress made to enable them to take the next line of action.
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