Joint Unions NITR, CSOs Cry Out, Declare Minister’s Imposition of Felicia Nnwezo illegal

“Gentlemen of the press, It is indeed another great day in the struggle of the Joint Unions of Nigerian institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna.

You will recall that Dr. Felicia Nneka Enwezor has been suspended as the Overseeing Director General/CE NITR, Kaduna on the 21st 2022 at the Councils 107th meeting for gross misconduct and appointed Dr. Josseph Joachim Ajakaiye being the next most senior Director of Research in the institute in line with the extant rules and regulations of the service.

“Since then, the Honourable Minister Senator Adeleke Mamora has been aggrieved by what the council did and decided to implore all means to restore the suspended Overseeing Director General/CE Dr. Felicia Nneka Chizoba Nnwezor.

Despite all efforts to make the Minister understand their plights, the story remains the same as the Minister is bent on bringing the suspended ODG back. The union stated.

“The Joint Unions of NITR in our patriotic approach wrote letters of concern to

the Honourable Minister with physical meetings held with the Ministry but to no

avail as all grievances and issues raised were left unattended. Reference to a

meeting which held on 12th August, 2022 at the Federal Ministry of Science,

Technology and Innovation Minister’s Board room with the permanent secretary Monilola Udoh in attendance.

“We need to let Nigerians know that the minister in his aggrieved approach to bring back the suspended Overseeing Director General Felicia Nneka Chizoba Enwezor wrote a petition to the Inspector General of police claiming that the suspended Overseeing Director General was forcefully ejected.

“As representatives of staff, we want to use this medium and inform the relevant

authorities that Dr. Felicia Nneka Chizoba Enwezor has been suspended by the Governing Council of NITR and since her suspension in July, 2022 the Institute is enjoying a smooth running and relative peace.

 “As law abiding citizens, we want

Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation to desist from any further imposition of Dr. Felicia Nneka Chizoba Enwezor as she was duly

suspended by the Council.

The union is urging the Minister to make available to President Buhari all the necessary documents that will facilitate smooth inauguration of new Governing Board.

“It will interest you to note that the Governing Council of this Institute in

November, 2022 has implemented the presidential directive for the appointment of the substantive Director General/CE NITR, Kaduna in line with the extant rules and regulations guiding such appointment and has submitted the report of the interview and examination to the minister for onward transmission to Mr.President for the appointment of a substantive Director General/Chief Executive for the institute.

“The Joint Unions of NITR hereby demand the immediate transmission of the report by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for the appointment of the substantive Director General of NITR.