- Demands Unconditional Reinstatement
THE Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has condemned the unjust sack of Prince Tega and Aishat Ajibola by the management of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH).
According to CDWR in a statement signed by Rufus Olusesan, National Chairperson, and Chinedu Bosah, National Publicity Secretary, Prince Tega and Aishat Ajibola were nurses in the employment of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital but were recently unjustly sacked for exercising their democratic rights.
According to CDWR, Prince Tega was sacked for joining the September 15, 2020 strike action called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) while Aishat Ajibola, the treasurer of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), OOUTH chapter, was sacked for speaking against the sack of Prince Tega and for granting an interview to Nurses Arise Radio.
The CDWR decries the criminalisation of the rights to freedom of speech and association and the characterisation of the conducts of the victimised nurses as “severe misconducts” by the management of OOUTH.
The statement reads in part: “The Dr Peter Adefuye-led management of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) has increasingly become draconian and dictatorial in the running of the institution and towards workers. Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Peter Adefuye is running the teaching hospital like a Garrison Commander where rights of workers are regularly trampled upon.
“CDWR strongly holds that the sacks are unjust, cruel and undemocratic. The inalienable rights of the two nurses to freedom of expression, association and assembly as guaranteed in Section 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution have been violated.
“CDWR demands the unconditional reinstatement of Prince Tega and Aishat Ajibola without any delay and loss of wage. We also call for a halt to the witch-hunt of staff and activists campaigning for the duo’s recall.
“CDWR calls on the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to intervene and give active solidarity to the victimized nurses with the aim of reinstating Prince Tega and Aishat Ajibola to their duty post without loss of wage. This is more so that the participation of one of the victimized nurses, Prince Tega, in a strike action called by the NLC precipitated the victimization, and also the second nurse, Aishat Ajibola, is an elected official of the union. An injury to one is an injury to all.”
