The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has debunked allegations by members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) that there is a deliberate plot to exclude their members from the ongoing race for the position of Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the MDCAN, in a press statement, alleged that an advertisement approved by the chairman of the governing council of the university, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe, which listed a PhD as a compulsory requirement for anyone seeking the position, was intended to bar them from the contest.
They argued that their medical fellowship is equivalent to a PhD in their field and should be accepted as a requirement for the role.
Subsequently, members of the organisation, consisting of clinical lecturers from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), went on strike, crippling the institution.
In response to their concerns, the Unizik management, in a press release signed by Dr. Emma Ojukwu, Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor on Public Relations, called on members of MDCAN to approach the National Universities Commission (NUC) to ascertain whether their medical fellowship is equivalent to a PhD. The university also appealed to them to return to work, as their strike action is negatively impacting healthcare delivery.
Ojukwu stated in the release: “On September 12, 2024, the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, headed by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Amb. Greg O. Mbadiwe, MFR, approved an advertisement for the position of Vice-Chancellor of the university. The advertisement clearly stated that an applicant must have a PhD in a relevant field.
“The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has since raised the issue of being excluded. They argue that the advertisement should be withdrawn and a new one published that includes either a PhD or a Medical Fellowship.
“The Governing Council of the university, in its 131st regular meeting held on Thursday, September 26, 2024, considered the issue of the PhD requirement for applicants for the position of Vice-Chancellor of Unizik and decided that MDCAN should send a delegation of its members to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to ascertain if a medical fellowship is equivalent to a PhD degree.
“The Council insists that if the NUC writes to confirm this, the medical fellowship will be considered equivalent to a PhD for the purpose of appointing the substantive Vice-Chancellor.
“It is therefore surprising that efforts to resolve the matter by communicating the position of the Governing Council to MDCAN have yielded little response. Various allegations and sponsored write-ups have surfaced online to portray the university’s Governing Council, headed by Amb. Greg O. Mbadiwe, MFR, in a negative light.
“The Council restates clearly that it is committed to creating a level playing field for all staff of the university to aspire to any position, including the office of the Vice-Chancellor.
“The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, assure all staff of inclusion and urge MDCAN to engage in dialogue instead of withdrawing their services, which is adversely affecting our health sector.
“The Governing Council, therefore, calls on MDCAN to resume work in the interest of the students, promising to resolve the outstanding issue amicably.”
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