The National
President,
National Association
of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM),
13
Makurdi Str. Behind General Post Office,
Area
10, Garki, Abuja.
ATTENTION:
Comrade
T. A. Shettima, the General Secretary, NANNM.
The
National Executives Council, NANNM.
Sir,
APPROBATION FOR DISENGAGEMENT
FROM THE JOINT HEALTH SECTOR UNION (JOHESU) AND, A CALL FOR RE-INTEGRATION OF
UGONSA AS A PRESSURE GROUP IN THE CURRENT NANNM’S CONSTITUTION
The
National Leadership of University Graduates of Nursing Science Association
(UGONSA), a.k.a Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria (GNAN), ably led by
Nurse Opeyemi Ojo, extends the Nightingale’s greetings of all her members to
you and the entire leadership of NANNM,
A)
i.
The association applauds
the daring step taken by your leadership to, among all odds, officially
disassociate from the hitherto amalgamation of all health unions in the
Nigerian health sector, which has outlived its initial purpose and intent.
ii.
It could be recalled that
UGONSA, in late 2014, having carefully analyzed the deceitful nature and
actions and inactions of JOHESU over the years, especially as it borders on
lack of vigor to pursue the major demands of nurses and negotiate with
Government the approval of internship scheme for graduates of Bachelor of
Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree as was done for other member associations like
University graduates of Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Science (MLS),
officially in a letter addressed to the then Minister for Health Dr Onyebuchi
Chukwu disassociated from the joint union.
iii.
The disassociation
afforded UGONSA, as you may know, the opportunity for self-representation to
pursue her course and take her destiny into her own hands without reliance on
any mega-union to achieve her demands. Therefore, the news and the subsequent
notice of the official disengagement of NANNM from JOHESU were welcomed with
both hands and minds.
iv.
UGONSA leadership,
therefore, assures you of her unalloyed support where and when necessary in the
course of pursuing greater deals for Nigerian nurses.
(B) RE-INTEGRATION
OF UGONSA AS A PRESSURE GROUP IN THE CURRENT NANNM'S CONSTITUTION
i.
Evidence abounds that once
upon a time, GNAN, now known as UGONSA, was imprinted and recognized as one of
the pressure groups of/in NANNM as contained in the old NANNM’s constitution
(see attached document [old NANNM Constitution , “PREAMBLE, Page 6”]).
Astonishingly, an inexplicable turn of events expunged UGONSA (GNAN) from the
current NANNM constitution without notice.
ii.
Dear President and other leaders of our great association, Jorie Nicole McDonald once said, 'The greatest
strength of mankind rests in steadfast unity". Familial ties are restored,
sports teams are victorious, and friendships are strengthened when unity is a
priority. Also, Martin Luther King (Jr.) once said, "We must learn to live
together as brothers or perish together as fools". Dear leaders, we may
have suppressed our consciences or act in denial if we continue to undermine
the uniqueness and strength of the sub-units and unions under NANNM, but it is
said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much".
iii.
Just like other
professions, the nursing profession, as a unique, noble, and respected
profession all over the world, cannot operate in isolation. For example, the
Teaching profession has the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) as its mother body
and Science Teachers Association as a sub-union under her. Also, in the health
sector, we have Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) as an umbrella body for all
Medical doctors. Yet, they also have their foot soldiers, such as the National
Association of Resident Doctors and the Medical and Dental Consultants' Association
of Nigerians (NARDs, and MDCAN). Many examples abound, and Nursing Profession
cannot be an exception. Just like any other groups in Nursing and their
respective bodies, UGONSA represents those nurses under NANNM with a minimum
first degree from the university, as we equally have NANNM-FHI for those nurses
working in the federal health institutions. This does not in any way suggest
marginalization or superiority or dichotomy within the body of nurses.
iv.
Dear leaders, our actions
and inactions in the past have, in different ways, been portrayed, suggested, or misinterpreted
by nurses as divisive tendencies between NANNM and one of her vital pressure
groups - UGONSA. It is said that when two elephants engage in a battle, it is
the grasses that bear the brunt. Though we do not see ourselves as a giant, but
in all sincerity, the contributions of UGONSA over the years and even now to
the growth of the nursing profession cannot be underestimated
v.
Dears leaders, with the
recent divorce from the long marriage with JOHESU and the tsunami of aggrieved
nurses who have decided in their own way, to exit from NANNM due to a
resolvable misunderstanding between the faction and NANNM over 3% COD, it is
imperative that all well-meaning nurses from individuals to corporate bodies
and unions come together in cross-breeding of ideas and thoughts to chart a new
path for the future of nurses in Nigeria, for there is beauty and power in
unity.
vi.
Our modus operandi may
not have been in tandem with yours, but that is the beauty of divergence of
opinions. We can only annex the strengths in each other to move ahead. Sir,
permit us to quickly say that, as a mother body for so many individuals and
unions, the ability to embrace all, irrespective of their opinions and views,
utilizing the weapon of dialogue and compromise, are tools to maintain
cohesion.
PRAYERS:
In
line with our President’s campaign desire to see NANNM and UGONSA function as
mother union and subordinate union and as partners in the wheel of progress for
the benefit of Nigerian nurses, we, therefore, pray that:
1. you
officially recognize and inscribe UGONSA/GNAN among the pressure groups in
NANNM in the current NANNM’s constitution as it was before it was mysteriously
removed without notice.
convene
a national congress to discuss/negotiate the contending issue of 3% COD that is
tearing NANNM apart for all nurses to come together and stronger.
with
the current responsibilities that NANNM National has embraced, UGONSA agrees
that a one thousand naira (#1,000) COD flat rate is not practicable; therefore,
we suggest a 1.5% basic rate or a two thousand naira (#2,000) flat rate across
cadres.
Please accept the
assurances of our esteemed regards.
Signed:
Nurse Ojo
Opeyemi
Nurse Philip
O. Eteng
National
President National Secretary
Cc:
The
Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (N&MCN). FYI.
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