Fides Media Living the Faith
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Chairman of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Anambra State Chapter, Comrade Edith Onwuka, has charged the newly elected Unit executive members on professionalism, service and perseverance.
Comrade Onwuka who gave the charge in Awka during the induction of the newly elected Unit executive, said the elected officers emerged victorious during the just concluded Quadrennial Unit Branches Elections.
‘Great Nurses and Midwives, this event is organized to give you orientation on issues bordering on Unionism because there is a labour adage that says “Unions that are not united can be easily defeated”. It is our desire that at the unit level, NNANM will be stronger and attend to issues of nurses and always relate with state council for effective performance.
‘Therefore, I encourage all the inductees to make use of this golden opportunity as we have carefully selected topics and resource persons with sound knowledge on union movement and professionalism to educate us during this event.
‘I cannot end this address without appreciating our own governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, for his purposeful leadership and investment in the health sector.
We sincerely salute him for employing nurses into the State Civil Service and also giving approval for recruitment of Nurses and Midwives into Primary Health Care Services. Congratulations and welcome on board!
‘To our distinguished guests and lovers of this noble profession, our joy knows no bound as we welcome you to this great event today.
‘Before I go further, let me thank the national leadership of our noble association under the leadership of Comrade Michael Ekuma Nnachi, the national president of NANNM; and our chief scribe, the general secretary of NANNM, Comrade T.A. Shetimma, for their articulated leadership and innovation which they have brought to the table to make our association stronger.
‘Let me equally thank the Head of Service Anambra State, Barr. Mrs Theodora Igwegbe; Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Perpetua Anene; Chairman NLC, Anambra State, Sir Humphery Nwafor; and the State Administrative Council of NANNM.
‘It is worthy to note that this present State Administrative Council led by my humble self, assumed office since October 2019 and has made tremendous achievements which everyone can attest to, to the glory of God.
‘We give glory to God Almighty and to all the nurses in Anambra State for having trust in us. We are committed to delivering on our promises and leaving behind a strong association for the interest of the Nurses and Midwives of Anambra State. Without wasting time, I want to quickly remind the inductees that your victory is a call to serve and not an opportunity to enrich yourselves. Be a servant leader at your various capacities and be rest assured that posterity will be kind to us,’ she said.
Mrs Onwuka noted that NANNM was the only professional body cum trade union that unionized all categories of Registered Nurses and Midwives, irrespective of where they worked, as long as they practiced Nursing. She therefore urged them to unite and work towards a common goal for better welfare both at national and sub national.
She prayed the governor to look into the salaries of Nurses and Midwives to curb the massive exodus of trained nurses moving away from state service to greener pasture, noting that the little number remaining in the system were overwhelmed by work.