Fresh Crisis Erupts At Enugu Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Over Removal of Principal

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Monday, August 10th, 2015

BY IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu – Another round of crisis has enveloped the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, over the recent removal of the Principal of the hospital’s School of Post Basic Studies, Mrs. Cecilia Oduburu by its management Board.

Mrs. Oduburu, was removed from office for allegedly running a full time 1st and masters degrees programmes which took her six years in the University without official permission of the hospital, just as she was earning her full salary and promotions during the said period.

AFRICAN EXAMINER also reliably gathered that the decision to remove Mrs Oduburu, from her office was taken during a meeting of the Board of the hospital held on 18th June, 2015.

Our Correspondent further Investigations revealed that the removal of Mrs. Oduburu, might not be unconnected with a petition written earlier this year by the Anti-Corruption Awareness Organization, Nigeria to the Management Board of the Hospital over the issue.

The petition, which was made available to AFRICAN EXAMINER in Enugu on Saturday by Emmanuel Idika, spokesman for the management Board of the hospital alleged that “Oduburu studied at the University full time for six years without official permission, while working full time and collecting salary and promotions for this same six years.

According to the anti graft Organisation, the act was a gross violation of the Civil Service rule.

It was further alleged that she obtained B.sc in Nursing from the Department of Nursing, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus for four years full time, and M.Sc in Community nursing from the same University for two years, also full time.

She was, however, redeployed to the ward through the Head of Nursing Services as contained in a memo referenced FNHE/HNS/01/NSD/137 signed by Amadi M.A. (Mrs), Head of Nursing Service.

Consequently, Mrs. Ruth Buzo-Maduka who is an Assistant Director of Nursing with a background in Education and who has taught for almost seven years has been appointed as the Principal/Head of School of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu.

Reacting to her alleged removal, Mrs Oduburu said It was a cover up by the hospital management, adding her removal was illegal

She stated that her position was publicly advertised and she defeated other of her opponents.

The embattled Oduburu, insisted that before she would be removed as principal, they must go through the normal process in civil service rule, stressing that she has a good record that cannot be rubbished by any one .