The crisis within the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Kogi State has worsened with the resignation of the Vice Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Umoru, and the Assistant Secretary, Dr. Ugoh Stanley Nkemakolam.
In a letter dated July 8, 2024, both Umoru and Nkemakolam addressed their resignations to the Chairman of Kogi NMA, Dr. Olusola Baoku.
Dr. Umoru, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja, stated that he resigned due to the ongoing unresolved crisis affecting the NMA’s executive committee for 2022-2024.
He explained,
“I have tried to avoid this decision for the past year, but it is now inevitable due to the Chairman’s autocratic methods, which often go against the NMA Constitution and Kogi State NMA bye-laws. This situation has made it impossible for some of us in the committee to work with him. The executive committee has collapsed, and the association is now divided along many irreconcilable fault lines.”
Similarly, Dr. Nkemakolam resigned immediately, expressing his frustration over the poor leadership of Dr. Baoku.
He stated,
“I had to resign because of your blatant disrespect for the NMA Kogi State bye-laws and the rights of its members. This has led to a prolonged crisis, which you have not taken seriously despite the support from me and other committee members.”
Dr. Nkemakolam also apologized to anyone he might have offended during his service and efforts to help the association.
