The Senior Staff of University Teaching Hospital, Research Institute and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) has enjoined members to be committed to their jobs and work toward achieving the mandates of the health facilities that employed them.
Mr Ken Bassey, Sector Chairman, gave the advice at SSAUTHRIAI Sectoral Council Meeting on Wednesday in Lagos.
Bassey urged members to prioritise their jobs, putting it at the forefront of all they do, saying that they were first employed by the health facilities before becoming members of the union.
He added that they should continuously educate themselves, acquire new skills and be up-to-date with new developments.
According to him, education is key, saying that member staff should learn on daily basis.
“The first focus should be achieving the mandates of the organisation that employed you; consider it first and always be committed to the job.
“Be the drivers of your profession and always act diligently in accordance with rules of information technology because formation is critical to effective management of any organisation.
“I want to challenge you not to rest on your laurels but to continue to strive toward even loftier goals,” he said.
Earlier, the National Vice-President of SSAUTHRIAI, Dr John Adeolu, said that the conference was an opportunity for labour leaders across the country to come together to network, be abreast with new developments and proffer solutions to trending challenges.
Adeolu said that the union worked in collaboration with the management of health facilities to foster progress of the institutions, while ensuring welfare of staff who are members.
“We as senior staff means that we are somehow part of the leadership of different health facilities and our view as a union is to collaborate with management to finding lasting solutions to various problems in the Institutions.
“So, we are partners in progress and not looking at a way to bring down the government. We understand that Nigeria is going through challenges, however, health is wealth.
“Yes, as we are providing services toward better health, our own welfare is also much more important so that we can be able to do what we are supposed to do at our various health facilities.
“So, the government should do more to improve welfare of the health workers,” he said.
The General Secretary of SSAUTHRIAI, Dr Ezikeal Popoola, called for unity among members, saying that with togetherness the union could achieve more.
Popoola urged members to eschew negatives, division and litigations, saying that more resources could be saved for developmental purposes when unity abides among them.
“Togetherness we stand, and the resources that would have been expended to legal litigations will be saved for good investments.
“Let’s come together to resolve our differences amicably,” he said.
The Guest Speaker at the event, Mr Toba Odumosu, said that labour leaders must ensure resources independence to be able to effectively present and actualize their demands.
Odumosu, also the Secretary, National Association Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, said that labour leader would not compromise if they were financial independent, saying that they should have strategic financial plan to effectively manage the limited resources.
According to him, the labour leaders should focus on long-time sustainability measures, while strengthening internal structures and ensuring member engagement and empowerment.
On innovative strategies for effective resources management, Odumosu urged labour leaders to leverage digital tools to cut costs and equally embrace collaboration and alliance.
“To better manage resources, you must have budget and follow it to the latter.
“Given the present economic situation, always ensure transparency and accountability,” Odumosu said. (NAN)
