ARD-NAUTH Seeks Reversal Of Exclusion Of Clinical Lecturers From NAU VC Race
Resident Doctors at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) has urged the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka to reverse the exclusion of clinical lecturers from contesting for the institution’s Vice Chancellor.
The doctors under the aegis of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD)-NAUTH made the call on Wednesday as the strike embarked upon by the clinical lecturers entered the fourth week.
The clinical lecturers who commenced strike action on Sept. 25 are protesting the insertion of some criteria which they said did not consider the peculiarities of their career progression path.
The advert had said applicants for the position of VC-NAU must possess a first degree, Master’s degree and a PhD for 15 years . but the lecturers said it did not fit into their academic pathway in NAU and globally
They said the requirements which included attraction of N400 million grants excluded clinic lecturers who were qualified lecturers in the faculties of Medicine, Basic Clinical Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences from
contesting for the position
But in the ARD-NAUTH in their Statement signed by Dr Chiemezie Agbanu and Dr Nwabueze Okeke its President and Secretary Respectively called on the council to reverse the discriminatory criteria and make the contest open to every qualified contestant.
ARD-NAUTH declared its support for the striking teachers and trainers under the aegis of Medical and Dental Consultants
Association of Nigeria (MDCAN)-NAUTH.
“This conscious attempt to sideline mediçal lecturers from vying for the position of the Vice Chancellor of NAU is unlawful according to NAU establishment ACT of 1993 (as amended).
“We appeal to the Governing Council, the university management, National postgraduate College
of Nigeria and the National University Commission to kindly intervene and save our already ebbing educational system.
“We join in solidarity with our teachers and trainers, to demand the immediate retraction of the adverti for position of VC-NAC and advice that an impartial publication be made to enable a fair playing field
for every contestant,” it said.
ARD-NAUTH sympathised with the medical students of NAU, who were gravely affected by the strike action embarked by the lectures to protese the response to the advert from NAU Governing council.
