TOTAL WITHDRAWAL OF THE COURT CASE INSTITUTED AGAINST NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (NMCN) OVER THE REVISED GUIDELINES FOR VERIFICATION OF CERTIFICATE(S) WITH THE NMCN
All States and Unit Chapters of UGONSA,
All States Chairmen and Secretaries of UGONSA,
All Nursing Communities in Nigeria and the Diaspora,
The General Public.
Dear UGONSITES,
The National Administrative Council (NAC) of UGONSA conveys the fraternal greetings of all her members to you, and to the Nursing profession both in Nigeria and in diaspora.
2. It should be recalled that the NMCN in a Circular Ref. No. N&MCN/SG/RO/MH/14/VOL.1/40, dated 7th February, 2024, released revised guidelines and requirements to be met by all applicants seeking for Verification of Certificate(s) to foreign Nursing Boards/Council.
3. Recall, also, that UGONSA in her attempt to draw the attention of the NMCN through the Registrar of the Council, to the damming consequences the contents of the Circular would have on nursing profession if it is allowed to thrive, appealed to the Council in her letter Ref. No. UG/NAT/24/NMCN/LVGP/01, dated 9th February, 2024, titled: URGENT APPEAL FOR RECONSIDRATION OF THE NEW NURSING REGISTRATION VERIFICATION POLICY, stating her commitment to dialogue and collaboration with NMCN, and other stakeholders in Nursing to achieve a favourable guidelines for Nigerian Nurses and Nursing Profession.
4. Dear Comrades, given the promptness of the circular’s effective date of implementation (1st March, 2024), and what seemed to be an act of ignominy and disdain towards UGONSA by the Registrar due to the perceived silence to our letter dated 9th of February, 2024, the association was left with no option than to approach the court for legal redress, praying the court to prevail on the Registrar cum Council to suspend the implementation of the circular pending when the contending issues in the circular are internally addressed. Hence, the court case against NMCN authorized/instituted on the 18th February, 2024.
5. Note, also, that the association, in her reply to the NANNM National President on his call for the association to withdraw the Court Case to allow NANNM resolve the issues in the guidelines, called the NANNM President to advise the Council to consult widely by engaging all stakeholders for a possible dialogue for out of Court settlement, while reinstating her commitment for making a positive change that gears towards peace, unity, harmony and progress in the Nursing Profession. All these measures affirm the association’s desire, ab initio, for dialogue and in-house settlement.
6. Dear Nigerian Nurses. UGONSA makes bold to state that all the actions taken on this process were in good intent, and entirely for the interest and benefit of Nigerian Nurses both at home and in the diaspora, and for the future of Nursing Profession in Nigeria, as the guidelines, as it were, challenged the autonomy of Nursing as a profession, and seen as an infringement on the fundamental human rights of Nigerian Nurses.
7. Permit us, therefore, to say that, in life, maturity entails knowing when to fight and when to quit fighting to give room for negotiation, peace, and progress, and living to fight another day.
8. It was on the above premise that UGONSA, with other two concerned Nursing groups that equally sued Council on the same subject, came together to form a formidable coalition that initiated the dialogue meeting with the Registrar of NMCN, with our dear Mother, Nurese Franca Okafor, the Director of Nursing Services (the Grand Ambassador of Nightingalic Virtue (GANV)) in the Federal Ministry of Health mediating the negotiation process.
9. Dear Comrades, the NAC, haven taken into consideration the SWOT analysis of the whole process, came to a reasonable conclusion that, despite the strength and chances of our position in court, the harsh effect of the NMCM’s decision to suspend the verification of certificates of numerous colleagues and nurses all over the world until whenever the cases are concluded in court made us believe that further pursuance of justice in the court may jeopardize the lives and chances of Nurses whom we are fighting for. This believe led the NAC, in her emergency meeting held on the 17th July, 2024, to agree unanimously and decide to withdraw the Court Case totally, to allow for further dialogue between the Coalition of the Concerned Nurses and the NMCN towards re-opening of Certificate Verification Portal, and formulation of acceptable Guidelines for Certification Verification for Nurses.
10 We, therefore, appreciate all of you that stood by the association while this process lasted, either through phone calls, messages, and financial support. Please know that by taking our destiny into our hands by seeking redress in court, Nigerian Nurses and Nursing Profession are the winners of the struggle, and have made a bold statement to the powers that be for future struggles. Be assured that UGONSA is ever ready to partner with all well-meaning individuals or groups to make a positive change in the Nursing Profession.
11 Thank you.
