Ogun State nurses protest alleged assault of student-nurse by consultant surgeon
Nurses at the State Hospital in Ijaye, Abeokuta, Ogun State, protested on Thursday against the alleged assault of a student-nurse by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon.
The protest, led by Adejoke Bello, Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Ogun State chapter, demanded justice for the victim.
The incident occurred on September 24 in the theatre suit. Despite efforts to seek redress, no response was received from the state government.
Protesters carried placards with messages such as “End bullying of nurses,” “Zero tolerance for nurses bullying,” and “Respect for nurses.”
Adejoke Bello stated, “It is a gross misconduct for you to have slapped your subordinate at work. So we are here to say that the entire nurses in Ogun State won’t tolerate this. This ordinarily should not have degenerated to this level of protest but we have written to the appropriate quarters since last Monday and we gave them 48 hours to address this unfortunate incident. But we have heard nothing from them, especially the management of this hospital; they have not called us; so we are left with no choice but to mobilise for this peaceful protest,” she said.
Lola Idowu-Falujo, Unit Chairman of NANNM, condemned the alleged harassment, saying it fell below public service rules.
Dr. Olayinka Elemide, Permanent Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board, assured protesters that the government is addressing the situation.
The nurses have given the hospital management four hours to respond in writing.
