Posted on: Mon 21-07-2025

The leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro chapter is compelled to react to the misinformation contained in various publications stemming out of the press conference conveyed by the provost in company of other hospital management staff over the recent suspension of a post-basic nurse who was allegedly assaulted by Dr. Majekodunmi Oluyinka on the 30th day of June, 2025.

Following the incident, the student took appropriate steps by filing a formal complaint to the hospital management through the office of the provost. In reaction to the said complaint, an investigative panel was constituted. However, the process was fraught with illegality and procedural irregularities. The Provost and Medical Director, Dr. Agboola P. A., chaired the panel but regrettably, did not allow other panel members the opportunity to deliberate or contribute meaningfully to the process.

During the session, multiple witnesses testified that Dr. Majekodunmi used derogatory and demeaning language, including calling the student “bastard” and “stupid.” Notably, Dr. Majekodunmi admitted to these remarks and acknowledged the incident. Despite this, the provost unilaterally issued a suspension letter to the student—who was the complainant notwithstanding that there was no counter petition from Dr. Majekodunmi. This he did also, without allowing the panel to complete investigation and submit a formal report.

It is mind-boggling  that acting further is his partisanship, the said Provost immediately rushed to issue to a press statement to the general public, contradicting the findings of the panel by stating that no assault occurred against the said student even in the face of credible and corroborated evidence and testimonies, which gladly is on a media platform known as Amebo newspaper NG.  

In another statement issued via Punch, the provost claimed he had issued a strong worded warning via a letter to the erring Doctor, however, the troubling question is whether that is in line with the Civil Service Regulation or perhaps this is laced with conspicuous bias since the said Dr Majekodunmi is his colleague?  

In an interesting cocktail of inconsistencies, the provost in one breath stated that Dr. Majek had been issued a strongly worded warning letter for admitting to have used foul language such as “you are stupid, you are a bastard”, yet in another breath stated that Ogunjobi’s  inability to substantiate the serious claims led to his suspension because additional student testimonies corroborated Dr. Majekodunmi’s account stating they did not witness any inappropriate behaviour.

Any rational thinking person will see through this web of concocted lies and half truths and thus ask the question, what further corroboration does the panel/provost require than a confession from the culprit which was not done under duress. How else can an allegation be substantiated after the suspect has admitted to the commission of the alleged offence in the presence of all those who were present at the panel?  

The action of the provost to give his colleague – who admitted to verbal assault - a pat on his back while recklessly suspending the victim without any evidence of wrongdoing further demonstrates clear the systemic intimidation and abuse of office. This act of illegal and unlawful suspension of the nurse has caused serious damage to the psyche, mental health, reputation, family name and integrity of the nurse to the extent of the nurse being almost driven to committing suicide as a result of this intimidation. Yet reports from the press statement blatantly falsely claimed that Ogunjobi’s father expressed gratitude for the hospital’s effort in shaping the students.  What a pragmatic way of handling issue by a supposed father and consultant in psychiatry?! If this is the best those saddled with leading our health sector in the country can do, one does not need to search further for the reason Nigeria’s health indices are nosediving.

In further contradiction, while the provost claims the suspension was not a punitive but a corrective measure and may just be for one or two days and not the kind that will ensure that the student is sent out of the school for a long time, yet he had ordered the boy to vacate the compound immediately and that the suspension is indefinite according to the content of the suspension letter issued to the nurse.  

It is pertinent to note at this juncture, that the provost is fond of using divide and rule tactics and being emotional with administrative issues. A case in point was at the time we submitted a communiqué issued following a congress stating our displeasure on the working conditions.  Rather than address the issues raised, he decided to vindictively set a panel for the union officials indirectly as against the invitation letter given to us. Notably at the kangaroo panel, he didn’t mince words in stating clearly that he intentionally set up the panel because of our communiqué and that more panels like this will continue.

To further substantiate that the nurse defended his point well at the panel, below is report of the nurse and his witness:

WITNESS REPORT OF THE INCIDENCE

On the 30th of June 2025, at about 1:15 PM, Dr. Majekodunmi Olayinka arrived with his team at Male Ward One for the scheduled ward round. In preparation, Post-Basic Nurse Ogunjobi Samuel picked up two broken chairs to take to the consulting room. Upon arrival, he noticed that the porter had already arranged chairs in the room. Realizing the extra chairs were not needed and being broken, he attempted to return them to the ward for use by the nursing staff, who were short of seating.

At this point, Dr. Majekodunmi attempted to take the chairs from Nurse Ogunjobi. Nurse Ogunjobi calmly explained, “Sir, I want to return the chairs back to the ward; they are for the nurses, because the chairs are broken and there are not enough for the remaining nurses to sit.”

Despite the polite explanation, Dr. Majekodunmi became visibly upset and verbally assaulted Nurse Ogunjobi, stating, “Are you okay? You are stupid! You are a bastard!” He then struck Nurse Ogunjobi on the leg with one of the chairs and physically pushed him out of the consulting room, causing him to stagger and nearly fall.

Throughout the ordeal, Nurse Ogunjobi remained calm and did not retaliate. After removing his hands from the chairs, the only response he gave was, “Don’t call me a bastard; I have my RN.” At this point, I, along with other witnesses, intervened and quickly escorted Nurse Ogunjobi away from the situation, encouraging him to remain composed.

Point of reference from the panel via a reliable source.

Ogunjobi’s statement at the panel

On the 30th of June 2025, at about 1:15 PM, I was subjected to both psychological humiliation and physical assault by Dr. Majekodunmi during the routine ward round in Male Ward One.

The incident began shortly before the ward round commenced. I had taken two broken plastic chairs into the consulting room, unaware that the Health Assistant had already provided chairs there. Realizing this, I felt it necessary to correct the situation and return the broken chairs to the ward so that suitable ones could be arranged for the nurses.

While I was about to remove the chairs, Dr. Majekodunmi instructed that I drop them. I attempted to explain the reason behind my action, but he forcefully took the chairs from me. Despite this, I calmly tried to clarify my intention. However, instead of engaging in a civil conversation, he verbally abused me. He first asked, "Are you okay?"—a question I did not respond to. He then proceeded to call me "a stupid boy," and again, I refrained from reacting. He ultimately called me "a bastard," struck my left leg with one of the chairs, and forcefully pushed me out of the consulting room, repeatedly shouting, “YOU ARE A BASTARD.”

During the panel investigation, I answered all questions respectfully and cooperatively. My witness, also corroborated that he saw me staggering out of the consulting room, caught me, and heard Dr. Majekodunmi shouting "bastard." He further confirmed that the ward round had not yet begun at the time of the incident. The only thing I said in response was, “Don’t call me a bastard.”

Later, I was accused of insulting another doctor present at the scene. However, I made it clear to the panel that I did not insult or speak to anyone else, as I had never even met the other doctor before. The allegations were entirely untrue.

Miss Adeosun was also invited to speak before the panel. When she quoted me saying, “No sir, the chairs are for the nurses,” Dr. Agboola immediately flared up in anger and, in an aggressive manner, shouted: “Suspend this boy with immediate effect.”

In the above, Dr. Majekodunmi was already agitated prior to the commencement of the ward round. According to the nurse present in the consulting room, he had earlier expressed frustration, stating, “Are you not ready for this round?” and “If you are not ready, let us leave,” despite having waited only a short time. This behaviour was exhibited by a supposedly experienced psychiatrist without consideration for the relatives of patients who had travelled long distances to be present.  

For the avoidance of doubt and for express clarity, this will not be the first time disciplinary action has been taken against either staff or students within the institution and NANNM has always collaborated with the management in following disciplinary actions when they are fair, just and in line with due processes. However, as a responsible professional association and trade union, we owe our members and the public a duty to speak up and defend the innocent and therefore cannot remain silent in the face of clear abuse of authority, oppression, injustice, administrative overreach, and apparent bias done with impunity.

Let us clarify that this is not an attack on the person or office of the provost or any other person. Rather, our stance is rooted in foundational principles of justice, fairness, equity, and good conscience. The union is compelled to speak out against any form of injustice, regardless of the personality involved because we realise that the allowance of injustice in any corner is a threat to justice the world over and an injury to one is an injury to all.

In addition, it is important to note that this is not the first time concerns have been raised regarding Dr. Majekodunmi’s conduct. The pattern of behaviour, if left unchecked, threatens the safety, dignity, and morale of students, staff and patients.

We therefore call upon the provost and the hospital management to revisit this matter with objectivity and urgency. The union demands the immediate reversal of the unjust indefinite suspension and a recommitment to the principles of fairness and accountability.

We further appeal to relevant regulatory bodies, professional associations, stakeholders, and the general public to take note of this development and stand in solidarity with us in the pursuit of institutional justice and accountability.

TO BE TRULY FREE IS NOT TO MERELY CAST AWAY ONE’S OWN CHAINS BUT TO LIVE AND WORK IN A WAY THAT GUARANTEES THE FREEDOM OF OTHERS.

ALUTA CONTINUA!!! VICTORIA ASCERTA!!!

 

Comrade Oluwalegan Narcissus

The Chairman

NANNM NPH Aro

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