Finally, Nigeria's Longest Serving Medical Director Ordered To Leave Office (Photo)

The Federal Government has ordered Dr Angela Uwakwan, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, to immediately proceed on her annual leave. In a statement said;

The directive was part of the resolution reached at the end of the reconciliatory meeting involving the Management of Federal Medical Centre Owerri, representatives of the Federal Ministries of Labour and Productivity and Health, Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that workers of the centre had accused Uwakwan of alleged gross financial misconduct and high handedness. The meeting resolved that she should proceed on her leave, pending the recommendations of a fact-finding committee constituted to investigate the case. According to the resolution, a copy of which was made available to the news Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, the meeting was convened by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, to resolve the current industrial action at the health institution. 

It stated that the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) shall assign an officer to oversee the functions of FMC, Owerri, while the committee carries out its assignment. The meeting further resolved that the FMoH would be responsible for the financial implication of the committee’s assignment, excluding the expenses of the representatives of the unions. 

The statement said that the unions at FMC, Owerri, shall suspend their ongoing strike or before Wednesday and that no member of staff or trade union leadership would victimized for participating in the strike. It charged the committee to examine other issues that would strengthen the operations of the centre. 

NAN reports that the resolution was signed by Mr Linus Awute, the Permanent Secretary, FMoH; Mr Ogbonna Chimelu, President NUAHP; Mr Danjuma Kurau, Director (Human Resources), FMoH, and Mr Adeniyi Abraiu-Alam, President of NANNM. The committee has one month to complete its work. 

(NAN) JAN/EAL/NKO