A contentious situation has unfolded at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu, as allegations surface that the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is attempting to install his preferred candidate, Dr. Ngozichukwu Unaogu, as the hospital’s director, despite Unaogu’s failure in the examination interview.
Meanwhile, Dr. Andrew Orovwigbo, who passed the interview, is also vying for the position, according to sources familiar with the matter.
According to sources, the interview was conducted on July 11, 2024, by a panel of eight members, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom.
It is alleged that the examination questions were crafted by Dr. Abdullahi Ibrahim, a distinguished expert in the field, who is the former Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi and Chairman of the Faculty of Psychiatry at the National Post-Graduate Medical College of Nigeria.
Dr. Ibrahim currently serves as the Chief Examiner of the college.
The minister’s alleged attempt to appoint a candidate who failed the examination has created a tense atmosphere among hospital staff and stakeholders.
The panel that conducted the examination comprised representatives from various bodies, including the Federal Character Commission’s Hon. Rev. Ukadike Ibeabuchi, and directors from the ministry, namely Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen, Tetshoma T. Dafeta, Dr. Aderemi Azeez, Dr. Obiajulu Ugbo, Rasimatu U. Bello, and Igwenagu Ndidi Catherine, PhD.
Notably, all panel members signed the result sheet, which revealed that Dr. Orovwigbo achieved a score of 63.3%, while Dr. Unaogu scored 59.2%.
Following the interview, both candidates signed attestations confirming that the process was transparent, fair, and free from manipulation.
Moreover, according to the Federal Civil Service Rules, a pass mark is set at 60%, with any score below this threshold considered a failure. Consequently, Dr. Unaogu, the minister’s preferred candidate, failed to meet this requirement, having scored 59.2%, which falls short of the 60% pass mark.
According to sources, after the interview and the panel’s recommendation of Dr. Orovwigbo for the directorship position, the Minister of State, Dr. Alausa, surprisingly overturned the decision, recommending Dr. Unaogu, who failed to meet the requirement, for the position.
This was despite the panel’s objective assessment, with the minister reportedly alleging bias without providing any evidence.
One of the sources who was a member of the panel said, “After the interview, the result was typed and everyone signed. Then the minister told us that the result is immaterial. He insisted that so far, the applicants scored over 55 marks, they are both qualified.
“Some days later, the applicant who scored 59.2% was shortlisted instead of the applicant who scored 65.3%. Meanwhile the person who scored 59.2% got below the cut off mark, according to civil service promotion rule. The minister’s reason is that the interview process was bias but the candidates signed attestations saying it was free and transparent.
“Till now, the minister has not provided any evidence to support his allegation that the interview was bias, only that he has approved the appointment of his preferred candidate. Although the applicant he approved is younger, however, such institution demands the best to manage it.”
“It is important to emphasise that the exercise to select the Chief Medical Director of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu is to ensure the appointment of a core specialist into the position. It is not a case of whether you’re in one party or the other,” another source said.
“The action of the minister of state is an embarrassment to the Renewed Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. The minister studied in Atlanta, where the issue of competence is taken seriously. This is part of the bad governance that Nigerians protested against. It is an abomination.”
Furthermore, it was discovered that Dr. Alausa had previously disqualified two qualified candidates from Enugu State, Dr. Nichodemus Obayi and Prof. Onyebueke, who had applied for the position, in order to clear the path for his preferred candidate, Dr. Unaogu.
Meanwhile, various health organisations within the Neuropsychiatric Hospital have collectively denounced the Minister of State’s authoritarian actions, emphasising the need to safeguard the directorship position from partisan politics to ensure the country’s progress.
A hospital staff member, who spoke to SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity, stated: “The people in government don’t want peace in this hospital. They will always seek people that have skeletons in their cupboard so that they can be easily controlled.”
Meanwhile, attempted to contact Minister Dr. Alausa for a response, but he refused to comment.
When reached by phone, he answered, listened to the inquiry, and then abruptly hung up. Upon calling him back, his phone diverted to a call divert recording.
As of the time of filing this report, he had not responded to a text message sent to him, despite efforts to solicit his reaction.
