Union Kicks against Choice of Salako as Medical Laboratory Council Chairman

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria (AMLSN) has rejected the appointment of Dr. Babajide Salako, as the new Chairperson, Board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).

The association therefore urged the National Assembly to investigate Salako’s appointment, claiming that it violated the law establishing the Council.

The association said under Act 11 of 2003 and the Act CAP (M25) LFN of 2004 that created MLSCN, Salako does not qualify for such position.

The Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, had announced the appointment of Salako, as the new Chairperson, MLSCN.

However, while addressing journalists at the association’s headquarters in Abuja, yesterday, President of AMLSN, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, said there was an existing tradition usually adhered to for such appointments which dictates that only a doctor must head the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria; a pharmacist for the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria; and ditto for the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

He said the law enacted by the National Assembly and signed by the then President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, defined clearly the qualifications of who could be appointed as the Chairman of the Board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria.

According to him,  Salako does not fulfill the credentials as contained in Section 3, Subsection 1(a) of the MLSCN Act CAP (M25) LFN 2004 (Act 11 of 2003).

“We are therefore shocked at the brazen violation of the above section of the Law without recourse to the list of names submitted by the association in compliance with the law (Section 3, Subsection 1(a-g) of the Act CAP (M25) LFN 2004 to the  Coordinating Minister, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,” he said.

Speaking further, Ifeanyi said; “We, AMLSN, object and reject the said appointment because it is a breach of the Law establishing the Council.

“By all standards and by the Act CAP (M25) LFN 2004 (Act 11 of 2003) that created MLSCN, Dr. Salako does not qualify for such position.

“Section 3 (1) (a) of the law, Act CAP (M25) LFN 2004 (Act 11 of 2003), duly enacted by the NASS and signed by the then President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, defined clearly the qualifications of who can be appointed as the Chairman of the Board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).

“We appeal to Mr. President and hence the Presidency to immediately retract the announcement of Dr. Babajide Salako as a purported Chairperson Board of MLSCN without any attempt to inaugurate him.

“Thereafter, the President is requested to investigate the circumstances that led to this violation of the law and apply appropriate sanctions against those responsible for embarrassing the Presidency and government,” he said.

Ifeanyi quoted the relevant aspect of the Law, saying Section 3, Subsection l (a) of the Act CAP (M25) LFN 2004 states thus:

‘There is established for the Council a Governing Board (in this Act referred to as “the Board”) consisting of (a) a chairman who shall be a qualified Fellow of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria with five years post qualification experience and shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister from a list of names of the Fellows submitted by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “the Association”)

Ifeanyi said despite the law, “there is well-known tradition usually adhered to for such appointments which dictates that only a doctor must head the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria; a pharmacist for the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria; and ditto for the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

“Why had a doctor been appointed as Chairperson of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria instead of a medical laboratory scientist? What is the basis for the shift from the law, the noble tradition, and why now?”

In addition, the association alleged that Salako’s appointment as Chairperson Board of MLSCN may not be unconnected with his relationship with a top government functionary in the Ministry.

It called on the National Assembly to investigate the appointment of Salako as Chairman of the Governing Board of MLSCN.