9th March, 2024
By Dorcas Elusogbon
The disengaged staff of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, on Friday protested against a circular by the management of the hospital to conduct examinations for certain cadres that would be considered for reengagement.
The Federal Government had ordered the sack of more than 1500 workers of the hospital over alleged irregularities in their employment.
However, the workers want the management to reverse the decision to lay them off without conducting the tests.
The protesters, who called for the suspension of the examination, blocked the main gates of the hospital, preventing human and vehicular movement in and out of the complex.
One of the disengaged staff, Samson Falope, said the circular stated that the examination would be conducted on March 9, at the Command Day Secondary School, Army Barrack, Ede, Osun.
“What we discovered was that, the circular for the conduct of recruitment exercise under the June 2022 recruitment waiver has been released, which led to the protest.
“The Ministry in charge had been notified, the House of Representatives and the National Assembly were aware too. All we are waiting for is their intervention and resolution.
“We are hopeful that the examination would be suspended indefinitely,” he said.
The Public Relations Officer of OAUTHC, Miss Kemi Fasoto confirmed that the examination would be conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare as scheduled.
(NAN)