CDWR CONDEMNS THE UNJUST SACK OF PRINCE TEGA AND COMRADE AISHAT AJIBOLA BY OOUTH MANAGEMENT

WE DEMAND UNCONDITIONAL REINSTATEMENT OF THE NURSES TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT

NLC SHOULD INTERVENE IN THE REINSTATEMENT STRUGGLE

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) condemns the unjust sack of Prince Tega and Comrade Aishat Ajibola by the management of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State. CDWR is in solidarity with the victimized nurses and all victimized workers, we salute these workers for being steadfast in the face of victimization and attacks. We also congratulate workers as we celebrate Workers’ Day.

Prince Tega and Comrade Aishat Ajibola were nurses in the employment of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital until Prince Tega was unjustly sacked in October 2020 while Comrade Aishat Ajibola was sacked on the 25th of November 2020 for exercising their democratic rights. Prince Tega was sacked for joining the September 15, 2020 strike action organised by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) while Comrade Aishat Ajibola, Treasurer, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) OOUTH chapter, was sacked for speaking against the sack of Prince Tega and for granting an interview to Nurses Arise Radio over issues concerning the nursing profession. The CDWR decries the criminalization of the rights to freedom of speech and association by the management of OOUTH.

The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) has increasingly become draconian and dictatorial in the running of the institution and towards workers. OOUTH is run like a slave camp wherein rights of workers are regularly trampled upon. We say NO TO THIS DICTATORSHIP.

The CDWR strongly holds that the sacks are unjust, cruel and undemocratic. The inalienable rights of the two nurses to freedom of expression, association and assembly as guaranteed in Section 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution have been violated.

The CDWR hereby demands the unconditional reinstatement of Prince Tega and Comrade Aishat Ajibola without any delay and loss of wage. We also call for a halt to the witch-hunt and victimization of workers by Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH).

The CDWR appeals to all trade unions, pro-labour organizations and activists to give solidarity to this struggle; protest letters and messages should be sent to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) and also join solidarity actions (protest, rallies, press conferences and attendance at court sittings).

The CDWR also calls on the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to intervene and give active solidarity to the victimized nurses with the aim of reinstating Prince Tega and Comrade Aishat Ajibola to their duty posts without loss of wage. Moreso, the participation of Prince Tega in a strike action called by the NLC precipitated the victimization while Comrade Aishat Ajibola is an elected official of the Nursing Union (NANNM).

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR) is a platform formed by the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) to support workers’ struggles against casualization, poor working conditions and for unionization. The CDWR campaigns for the rebuilding of the trade union movement as mass democratic platforms of struggle.

AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!

SOLIDARITY FOREVER!!

JOIN THE CDWR TODAY

Signed

Comrade Rufus Olusesan

National Chairperson

Comrade Chinedu Bosah

National Publicity Secretary

E-mail: [email protected]