Federal Govt. Reinstates suspended ARD President in Kogi
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reinstated the suspended President, Association of Resident Doctors, (ARD) Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, (FTHL) Kogi State Dr. Jimoh Umar.
It could be recalled that Dr Umar, the President of ARDFTHL was suspended for actions he carried out as a head of a union that was a collective decision of all the resident doctors of the hospital in 2024 by the management of Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja.
His notice of reinstatement was contained in a communique issued at the end of the emergency Congress meeting of ARD, FTHL dated 18th January 2025 which was signed by the association Vice President
Dr. Dolar Sandy and General Secretary Akinyemi Akinbode.
The Congress observed the directive to reinstate Dr Umar as contained in a letter currently with the Association national body and the office of the Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (CMD-FTHL).
According to the communique, “The Congress salutes the efforts of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Kachollom Shangti Daju, mni, for the approval of the recommendation of the Human Resource Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, on December 12, 2024.
“The Congress observed the efforts of the Coordinating Minister of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate; the President of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Bala Audu; President of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Osundara Tope and all other stakeholders who contributed to bringing this protracted suspension to an end.
“The Congress frowns and condemns in its entirety the continued frustrations
by the Chief Medical Director, Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, the efforts of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate; the Permanent Secretary, Ms Kachollom Shangti Daju, mni; and the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, in deliberately delaying actions on the directive (received by the office of the CMD-FTHL on January 11, 2025 at 13:37hr) of the Ministry to reinstate our President”.
The Congress, however, passed a vote of confidence on the Coordinating Minister Of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Kachollom Shangti Daju.
The association, however, call on the CMD-FTHL to effect the directive of the Honourable Minister of Health and reinstate our President, Dr. Jimoh Umar.
“The Congress puts the office of the Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (CMD-FTHL). Dr. Olatunde Alabi on notice that we are fully aware of his recent activities in the Ministry of Health to thwart the good efforts of the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
“The Congress of ARD FTHL charges the CMD-FTHL, Dr. Olatunde Alabi to fulfill all the terms of agreement reached at the tripartite meeting held on July 18, 2024 in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja.
“The Congress looks forward to the resumption of her President, Dr Jimoh Umar in earnest. Congress resolves to reconvene on January 25, 2025 to re-evaluate the progress so far” the communique added.
