Minister of Labor and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has been nominated by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), for its meritorious service award in the health sector. The nomination was contained in a letter to the Minister signed by the President of NMA, Prof (Dr.) Innocent Ujah and the Secretary General, Dr. Philip Ekpe.

This was coming a few days after the Nigerian Labor Congress has threatened to down tools in solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) whose members have been on strike for weeks now due to disagreements with the Federal Government over breach of previous agreements.

The NMA in a letter dated April 28, 2022, had intimated the Labor Minister about the award as follows:

“We write on behalf of the National Officers Committee (NOC) and the entire membership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), to invite you to the Annual General Conference/Delegates Meeting (ADM) of the association as an awardee. The conference which has its theme, ‘Current emergencies in building a resilient health system for Nigeria: Situation analysis and solutions,’ is scheduled to hold from Sunday, May 15 to Sunday, May 22, 2022 at EUI Centre, Plot F11, Sani Abacha Road, GRAPhase 3, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

“We have the pleasure to inform you of your nomination for recognition for the Meritorious Service Award in the health sector by the association.”

Senator Ngige in response to the award thanked the NMA for demonstrating that his efforts towards the development of the health sector and Nigeria at large are noted. He said the award would spur him to do even more.