The Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR) Joint Union, comprising the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), has expressed its opposition to the reinstatement of Dr. Felicia N. Enwezor, the suspended Overseeing Director General.
In a statement signed by Moyijo Hussaini, Chairman of the Joint Union, the union highlighted its resistance to the plan. The statement was issued on Tuesday following an emergency meeting.
The union also addressed a letter to Mr. James Sule, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (FMSTI). The letter, signed by 24 Executive Members of the branch, urged the Permanent Secretary to adhere to transparency, integrity, and full compliance with the implementation of Presidential directives.
These directives were conveyed in a letter dated September 1, 2021, with reference number SH/COS/16/A/1487, addressed to the former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
The letter instructed the Inspector General of Police to investigate the involvement of the Police in the day-to-day affairs of the Institute and take appropriate action against the policemen responsible for harassing the Institute’s staff.
“The Joint Union wishes to state unequivocally that Dr. Mrs. Felicia N. C. Enwezor was suspended and relieved of her duty as Overseeing Director General by the Lambu-led legal Council of NITR at their 107th meeting held at NITR, Kaduna, for serious misconduct,” the statement declared. This action was taken based on a letter, S/TR/49/Vol xi/xxx, sent to the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation on July 20, 2022.
The union further alleged that the former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation disregarded the instructions of the President by employing the Police to persistently harass and intimidate the Institute’s management and union executives, all to reinstate the suspended Overseeing Director General.
The union listed several reasons for the suspension of the former Overseeing Director General by the Governing Council to included the failure to comply with court orders among others.
The union accused the former Overseeing Director General of engaging in harassment and unruly behavior towards union officials, who were merely following Council instructions when delivering correspondence, which she refused to accept.
UseAlso, the Joint Unions called for the validation of the appointment of the current Overseeing Director General, Dr. Joseph Joachim Ajakaiye, adding also that the DGship interview conducted by the same Council through due process and transmitted to the former Minister Senator Adeleke O. Mamora should be released immediately for the appointment of substantive Director General of NITR, Kaduna.
