Members of Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Unions, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, Osun State, have urged President Bola Tinubu to wade into the ongoing crisis over the appointment of Chief Medical Director (CMD) for the institution.

In a statement, yesterday, jointly signed by the local chairman, Abdul-Lateef Adeyeni, and Secretary, S. Alagboofe, the JAC said a wrong choice of the CMD would cause disaffection among staff and hinder growth of the hospital.

The Shehu Ningi-led Board of OAUTH had appointed Dr. Afolabi Owojuyigbe as Acting CMD. Osarenoma Uwaifo signed the appointment letter, dated March 5, 2018, from the office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, with reference number, DHS/873/vol.1/155.

But another letter dated May 30, 2023, from the Director, Human Resource Management (HRM), Federal Ministry of Health, Hassan Sallau, addressed to Owojuyigbe, nullified his appointment and that of the Director of Administration (DA). The letter accused them of flouting a directive of the minister in respect of the appointments.

Sallau, in the letter by referenced SMH.557/T3/104, stated: “I am directed to refer to your letter Ref No. DA 44/Vol.X/460 dated April 28, 2023 requesting the ministry to send representatives to participate in the appointment interview for DA and, similarly, the directive of the minister, which was conveyed vide letter Ref  SMH.557/T3/03 dated May 12, 2023 instructing all appointments in respect of CMD and DA) be held in the ministry’s headquarters, Abuja.”