Ignore Faceless Group Maligning Odimayo, Others, MDCAN ODSGH Tells Ondo People
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has urged the people of Ondo State to ignore malicious statement issued on a blog by some faceless group with no verified account.
It could be recalled that this faceless group claimed that some members of MDCAN are planning to disrupt the activities of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.
In a rejoinder signed by Dr. Ayodele Stephen Adewole, the Chairman of MDCAN ODSGH said the so-called group that made the allegations cannot be traced, noting that they do not have a letter headed paper, secretariat or even executive.
The Chairman said MDCAN ODSGH stands solidly behind Professor Odimayo, the Special Adviser to Governor on Health who has performed excellently well since appointment into Governor Aiyedatiwa administration.
The Rejoinder Reads:
LOTO, KUKOYI, ODIMAYO, OLADIPUPO PLAN TO DISRUPT UNIMED, GROUP ALLEGES. A REJOINDER FROM MDCAN ODSGH
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria is a body made of specialists in various fields of Medicine and Surgery, and other sub-specialties.
It is a body of noble people, top echelon of care in all aspects of human medicine.
We received a post purported to have emanated from a faceless group, claiming that some of our dedicated financial members are planning to disrupt the activities of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.
At first, having looked at the whole texture and content of this malicious post, one would not even want to bother about responding to it as it lacked merit, more so, the IP address used to post the blog is unverified and therefore not secure. The blogger used http:// instead of https://, and this alone casts numerous doubts about the veracity of the post.
Having said this, the individuals mentioned in the blog as purported to be planning to disrupt the Nigerians first University of Medical Sciences, were part of the same body of well respected and eminent individuals whose sweat birthed the UNIMED that we have today, as they are all pioneer members of the institution.
The so-called group that made the allegations cannot be traced. They do not have a letter headed paper, secretariat or even executive. They are non-existent.
And it is obvious from the content of the post that among all the names mentioned in the post, the primary target is Prof. Simidele Odimayo, the current serving Special Adviser to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan, Aiyedatiwa.
Efforts have been made to get the details of the person who made the allegation on behalf of the group and it is clear that the name does not even exist on any social media platform. This is because as an Association, we do not join issues with faceless individuals.
Ondo State has been blessed with very hardworking and resourceful Special Advisers on Health in time past, and the tenure of Prof. Simidele Odimayo as the current SA on Health is exceptional. He has even taken the giant strides in the health sector of Ondo State to greater and more successful levels.
He has overseen the successful near completion of the complexes for the Teaching hospital, and also marshalled the ensuring that there is no disruption of services in the health sector of Ondo State despite the various national strikes organized by different professional health bodies for many months now.
It is obvious from the post, that there is a political undercurrent, and that is why the blogger attempted to rope in the names of very distinguished individuals. For example, how can you say that Prof Odimayo who earned a properly approved Sabbatical leave is earning double salary. It is grossly laughable that the writer could not connect that a Microbial Pathologist can be a clinical Virologist based on the content of his training and research interest. All allegations raised against this highly dedicated and result- oriented Medical Professional have been found to be based on falsehood and deception. Such bloggers only thrive where there is state of confusion.
The MDCAN ODSGH stands solidly behind their Professor Odimayo, the Special Adviser to Governor on Health. His performance has been sterling and that informs the reason for the award of Excellence given to Prof. M. S. Odimayo during our October, 2024 Annual General Meeting.
Under the supervision of Professor Michael Simidele Odimayo as the Special Adviser on Health to the Governor, the restructuring of UNIMEDTH has resulted in remarkable and inspiring improvements across all sectors of the Teaching Hospital.
It is astonishing that critics of Professor Odimayo would lavish praise on UNIMED as a university for its achievements in medical education while simultaneously denigrating UNIMEDTH as a Teaching Hospital. This contradiction is illogical and reflects a deliberate act of mischief aimed at misinforming the public and tarnishing the reputation of management of UNIMEDTH and Prof. Odimayo.
THE INDISPENSABLE ROLE OF UNIMEDTH
For the record, UNIMED as a university cannot produce a single doctor, nurse, or physiotherapist without the complementary role of UNIMEDTH as a Teaching Hospital. To enlighten those who may not be aware, it was the desire to preserve the outstanding work of the hospitals in the Medical Village—comprising the Mother and Child Hospital, Kidney Care Centre, and Trauma Centre (now collectively known as UNIMEDTH Medical Village)—that provided the foundation upon which UNIMED was established.
These hospitals in the Medical Village were already accredited by the West African College of Surgeons and the National Postgraduate Medical College, actively training postgraduate doctors in Surgery, Orthopedics, Radiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesia, and other specialties long before UNIMED was founded in 2014. The Akure Hospital was equally accredited for postgraduate training in Family Medicine before UNIMED as a university was established. This strong foundation made the clinical accreditation process for UNIMED seamless, as the Teaching Hospital was already functional.
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF UNIMEDTH STAFF
When UNIMED was established, the consultants at the Medical Village and Akure Complex generously served as lecturers and workers for the new university at no additional cost. For over a decade, these consultants have continued to lecture and train medical students on a pro bono basis, demonstrating unparalleled patriotism and commitment.
UNIMEDTH staff and consultants are the true heroes behind UNIMED’s success. Without UNIMEDTH, UNIMED’s achievements in training medical personnel would not have been possible. This reality is also why the management of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and the Federal Ministry of Health are exploring ways to acquire the Akure Complex of UNIMEDTH as a training institution for their medical students.
A CALL FOR UNITY AND RECOGNITION
Both UNIMED and UNIMEDTH are sources of pride for Ondo State and have achieved commendable success. However, one institution should not be undermined for the sake of the other. Instead, both should be supported and celebrated for their vital roles in advancing medical education and healthcare delivery.
It is also very important to state that the SA to Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, has equally coordinated the UNIMEDTH In such a way that there is a very smooth collaboration between the Teaching Hospital and University of Medical Sciences, ONDO (UNIMED). The evidences are clear, the University with the sterling collaboration with the Teaching Hospital, Led by its Acting Chief Medical Director, Dr. Michael Gbala, has been able to graduate three sets of Medical Doctors, two sets of Dental Surgeons, and at least three sets of all other Medical Professionals of different cadres, all within the space of ten years.
Perhaps, if the blogger has more verifiable information in the future such a faceless blogger can feel free to engage intellectuals so a positive discussion can ensue, rather than this very pedestrian resort to cheap blackmail.
Long live UNIMED.
Long live UNIMEDTH.
Long live Ondo State.
Dr. Ayodele Stephen, ADEWOLE,
Chairman, MDCAN ODSGH.
