Prof. Sunday O. Etukudoh provost FCMLST, Jos

The Provost Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science & Technology, FCMLST, Jos, Professor Sunday O. Etukudoh has reiterated the need for all stakeholders to put hands on deck to ensure the health care delivery system in Nigeria is improved positively.

Professor Etukudoh made this call today during the Inauguration of elected executives of the Non-Academic Staff Union, (NASU) FCMLST Chapter, Lamingo Jos, Plateau State.

He commended FCMLST Chapter for its positive approach in making their demands saying that their role has not been that of militancy but has always been morale persuasion.

The Provost said that consequent upon the above, there has been relative peace in the College leading to aggregate concentration for greater achievements adding that FCMLST being a research, diagnostic centre and also a training institution has grown well in a peaceful environment. 

Etukudoh hoped NASU would continue to lend solidarity and make meaningful contributions toward the growth of FCMLST while inculcating the positive virtues of according sincere appreciation to the management of the college.

"I call on NASU, Management and all the staff to put on your because we must succeed. We are bound to make sure the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria is improved.

"Just as President Bola Tinubu has charged his cabinet members, I am for success. I will not fail, but if any one wants to me fail, I will ease you out"

High point of the event is the presentation of the Act Establishing the FCMLST in 2018 to NASU by the Provost and according to him, it was necessary because it help the Union to act wisely. The Act presented was 2018 Act which was repealed into 2023 Act.

The Provost whose first appointment of four years was in 2018 and was renewed last year, particularly appreciated the National Assembly and Mr. President as the Act dies not discriminates or segregates between the academic and Non-Academic Staff.

Professor Etukudoh noted that of importance is Schedule 21 section D of the Act which stipulates thus, "Provost/CEO and other academic staff shall retire on attainment of 65 years of age, while Non-Academic Staff shall retire on 65 years of age as applicable to other training or research institutes".

He said that what will only be borrowed from the public service is if within the classification, one is raise to the rank of a Professor, such a person will retire on attainment of 70 years of age in line with the new public service rule as championed and brought to the fore after a lot of diligent work by the Head of Service, Dr. Folashade ESO.

The Provost further commended President Tinubu for experience persons in Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate and Dr. Tunji Alausa as Coordinating Minister and Minister of state respectively.

He also revealed that the minister of health has approved that the college expand its scope of learning by training persons who will graduate as immunologist. According to the Provost, other people the college will train are, biologist and forensic science experts among others.

The NASU Chairman FCMLST branch, Cmr Olupona appreciated the Provost and the entire management staff for the support and contribution during the election which saw the emergence of the new officers and promised that the union will adopt moral persuasive means to press home their demands in line with current global trend rather than being antagonistic.

She called on the Federal Government to consider it as urgent the need to increase the capital budget of the college to put in place the needed infrastructures for effective healthcare delivery services.

There were goodwill messages from Cmr. Ezekiel Biyau and Mrs. B. I Alachabe, State Council Trustee and state secretary of NASU respectively.