General News
HURIWA URGED TINUBU, HEALTH MINISTER TO INTERVENE OVER ALLEGED REJECTION of 17 IGBO HOUSE OFFICERS AT UCTH
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the controversy surrounding the alleged rejection of 17 newly posted medical house officers at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Cross River State, over claims of ethnic discrimination.
In a statement issued on Monday, HURIWA urged the President to direct the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate, to immediately resolve the situation, which it described as “criminal, unconstitutional and dangerous to national unity.”
The group also demanded the dissolution of the Governing Board of UCTH and the dismissal of the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), accusing the management of promoting tribalism and ethnic division in the federal public service.
HURIWA further condemned the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for what it described as silence over the allegations involving the 17 house officers who were reportedly posted to UCTH but later rejected by the hospital management.
According to HURIWA, the affected doctors, who were posted to UCTH through the MDCN online portal, arrived in Calabar from different parts of the country to begin their mandatory one-year housemanship, only to be informed that the hospital would not clear them for resumption.
One of the affected house officers, who spoke in Calabar, said they reported to the hospital on a Monday in line with the instructions in their posting letters, which required them to resume within two weeks.
“There was no indication that the hospital had rejected us or that clearance was conditional,” the doctor said.
The doctors alleged that problems began when they reported to the administrative unit of the hospital, where officials informed them that UCTH management had written to the MDCN complaining about “discrepancies” in the posting list.
According to the house officers, hospital officials questioned why 15 of the 17 doctors were from the same ethnic group, why there was no indigene of Cross River State on the list, and why only 17 names were posted when the hospital reportedly had capacity for 50 house officers.
“They openly complained about the number of Igbos on the list. At a point, we were told that people from a particular tribe were saturating the hospital,” one of the doctors alleged.
The house officers also claimed that the hospital accused some of them of paying to secure postings, an allegation they said was never substantiated.
“They said they had evidence that people paid to get slots, but no proof was shown. Instead of investigating those involved, they rejected all of us,” the source added.
As a result of the rejection, the affected doctors said many of them were left stranded after relocating to Calabar, with some reportedly sleeping on bare floors in makeshift spaces within the hospital premises due to lack of accommodation and uncertainty over their status.
Reacting to the development, HURIWA condemned what it described as “ethnic chauvinism” at UCTH, stressing that such tendencies have no place in the public service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The group lamented that nearly 70 years after the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, young Nigerians, many of whom were born decades after the conflict were still being subjected to what it termed “Igbophobic tendencies.”
“It is disturbing that youngsters who were born in the new millennium and are not even aware of the civil war are being punished and reminded that the war has not ended,” HURIWA said.
The organisation also criticised President Tinubu for not yet making a public statement on the controversy, noting the irony given his recent decision to revert to the old national anthem, which emphasises unity, cohesion and national integration.
HURIWA called on the President to immediately direct the Minister of Health and Social Welfare to ensure that the MDCN enforces the acceptance of the house officers and their immediate commencement of housemanship at UCTH.
It also demanded the removal of the CMD, whom it accused of promoting tribalism in the federal civil service.
The National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, who signed the statement, said the alleged rejection of the house officers based on ethnicity violates Section 42 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees freedom from discrimination.
HURIWA insisted that denying qualified Nigerian citizens employment or statutory placements solely on the basis of ethnic origin is illegal and unconstitutional, and warned that failure to address the issue could further inflame ethnic tensions in the country.
The group concluded by calling for urgent presidential intervention to end what it described as a “grave injustice” and to reaffirm the constitutional rights of all Nigerians, regardless of ethnic background.
The monarch of Ozoro Kingdom in Delta State has denied any prior knowledge of a controversial festival linked to the alleged abuse of women and girls, as outrage continues to trail the incident across Nigeria.
The traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Anthony Ogbogbo, made the clarification when a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) visited his palace following reports of harassment during the ‘Alue-Do’ festival.
According to the monarch, he had never encountered such practices in his over two decades on the throne. He stated that he had “never heard that a festival is celebrated with girls being harassed or molested” in the community, distancing the palace from the widely condemned incident.
The controversy stems from viral videos showing women being chased, stripped, and assaulted by youths during the cultural event held in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area. The disturbing footage sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over gender-based violence.
During the palace visit, the NANS delegation; alongside student leaders from Southern Delta University, confirmed that some of the victims were students who had since received medical attention. While reports indicated no confirmed cases of rape, the students described the incidents as serious molestation and a violation of human dignity.
NANS condemned the attacks, describing them as a gross violation of human rights and a threat to the safety of students in the community. The association called on security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has also condemned the incident, describing it as “barbaric” and unacceptable, stressing that no cultural practice should justify violence against women. Authorities have launched investigations, with police confirming the arrest of suspects linked to the incident.
Civil society organisations, including ActionAid Nigeria, have also demanded immediate prosecution of those responsible, insisting that cultural traditions must not be used to excuse abuse or undermine the rights and dignity of women and girls.
The incident has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of laws protecting women and for a review of traditional practices that may expose individuals to harm.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed that one of its officials has been taken into custody following the death of a corps member, Miss Victoria Ariyo, in Abeokuta South.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the NYSC described the incident as “tragic and deeply disturbing,” noting that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The statement, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, disclosed that the staff member allegedly linked to the incident is currently in custody while relevant authorities continue their probe.
According to the scheme, it is working closely with security agencies to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation without interference.
“The management of the NYSC is deeply saddened by the loss of a corps member in Abeokuta, Ogun State, under circumstances currently being investigated,” the statement read.
The organisation extended condolences to the family of the deceased, praying for strength and comfort during the difficult period.
It also reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, stressing that the scheme maintains strict standards for both staff and corps members.
“We assure the public that we are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities to ensure the truth is established and justice is served without fear or favour,” the statement added.
The NYSC further urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow due process to take its course, emphasising that the welfare, safety, and dignity of corps members remain a top priority.
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 11 additional suspects in connection with the sexual assault of women in Ozoro, bringing the total number of persons in custody to 15.
Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday, noting that the arrests followed a detailed review of video evidence and intelligence by operatives.
According to him, the suspects include Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others.
The Command stated that preliminary investigations, under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, revealed that the acts were carried out by criminal elements who took advantage of the situation to perpetrate sexual violence.
Police authorities emphasised that the actions were in no way reflective of any legitimate cultural practice.
“The Command condemns these acts in totality and remains committed to ensuring that all perpetrators are identified, arrested, and prosecuted,” the statement added, while urging victims and witnesses to come forward with useful information.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage following the circulation of a viral video showing young women being sexually harassed during a local festival in the community.
The footage was linked to the Alue-Do Festival held in Ozoro, a cultural event associated with traditional rites.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Bar Association described the incident as a “national disgrace,” calling for swift justice for the victims.
Similarly, the Delta State Government condemned the act, with the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.”
However, the leadership of Ozoro Kingdom refuted claims circulating online, stating that the incident was a misapplication of certain symbolic aspects of the Alue-Do Festival by some youths.
Earlier, the police had announced the arrest of a community head and four other suspects in connection with the case, as investigations continue.