The Chairman MHWUN Advocates for Improved Leadership Transition, Organized Sent-forth for Ten LG Directors of PHC.
BY Yahaya Zakka Minna.
The Chairman MHWUN, Niger State Chapter, Comrade Usman Abubakar Dabban, has called for the implementation of a structured succession plan in local governments. He proposes that approximately 5 to 6 candidates be invited for interviews for promotions, aligning with civil service grades 15 or 16 for director positions at the local government level.
Comrade Dabban made this appeal during a send-off ceremony for ten retired Heads of Departments in the Health Department. The event was held at the conference Hall of the Health Workers Union in Minna, attended by all directors, both serving and retired, from various local government areas.
He emphasized that the union advocates for a transparent interview process to eliminate the influence of political godfathers in appointments. Currently, junior officers on grade level 12 aspiring to become directors often face appointment under the personal interests of politicians or government officials, leading to senior officers on grades 16 and 17 serving under them.
He argued that subjecting qualified candidates to interviews would introduce fairness into the process, enabling new directors to learn from their predecessors and reducing political interference.
The union leader highlighted that this approach would strengthen the healthcare sector’s administrative structure and promote smoother leadership transitions.
Additionally, he recommended local government health care department to maintain an open dialogue and synergy with the ministry of primary health care to address issues related to the promotion of the Director cadre.
Furthermore, Comrade Dabban urged union members to participate in cooperative savings schemes. He noted that retirement benefits of a contributing members, which typically range from 5 to 6 million naira, could assist retired directors in starting small scale businesses while pursuing additional government retirement benefits.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Niger State Council, Comrade Idrees Abdulkareem Lafene, also expressed concern regarding the politicization of the appointment of directors at local government levels, noting that some politicians misuse these appointments for personal gain.
Comrade Adamu Mohammed Akayago who represented the State NLC Chairman at the send-off ceremony for retired directors of Primary Healthcare from various local government councils in the state, condemned the practice of appointing junior officers to overseas positions based on political interests, while their senior counterparts on higher grades serve domestically.
He urged stakeholders to abstain from such practices and to adhere strictly to due process in the appointment of departmental directors, emphasizing that such transparency would enhance staff productivity and professionalism.
Additionally, he appealed to the retired directors of the local governments primary healthcare to continue mentoring junior colleagues when sought, underscoring that retirement marks a transition into a new phase of life rather than its end.
Mallam Hassan Usman Bosso, a retired director, expressed gratitude on behalf of the ten retirees during the vote of thanks, appreciating the organizers for orchestrating such a significant ceremony to honor thirty-five years of dedicated service.
He acknowledged the challenges faced during their careers but praised the grace of God for their good health upon retirement,He called on his colleagues to remain committed to giving back to their communities as retirees.
The ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of plaques and tokens of appreciation to the ten retired Directors of Primary Healthcare.
