COMMUNIQUE ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (NIMSA)

Consequent upon the unfortunate incident that occurred at the just concluded NiMSA General Assembly (GA) at ABU, Zaria, in which some schools from the South East region which do not offer medicine and surgery were registered to vote in the general elections, the southwest caucus and the south-south caucus have pulled put of the old NiMSA.
This decision was taken when it became obvious that some delegates had turned the GA into a totally lawless one just because of their personal ambitions. The South East caucus in alliance with the Northern caucus presented a group of ghost medical schools to partake in the GA and ultimately, the elections.
About 5 of the schools that were presented have no existing medical school and therefore no Medical Students Association (MSA). They include:
1. Caritas University, Enugu.
2. Renaissance University, Enugu.
3. Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu.
4. Paul University, Awka.
5. Tatian University, Anambra.
Madonna University which albeit has a medical college, has no recognised MSA was also presented to participate in the election.
Despite several attempts to fight the injustice that was being done, the NiMSA president, *Comr. Haruna Musa Kereng* refused to stand for the truth and he was totally backed by the NMA observer who represented the Chairman of NMA Committee on NiMSA affairs, *Dr. Tuko Moses Tari* (Secretary, NMA Kaduna), who insisted that the 5 ghost schools should participate in the elections.
We have refused to be intimidated by those who for personal reasons decided to uphold lies and deceits over truth, which remains an essential part of our profession. We have hence pulled out of such a gathering.
The South West and the south south regions comprising of about 20 MSAs therefore had our own elections, which produced the following NiMSA National Officers:
1 President: Esite Winifred Erepade (NDUMSA)
2. Vice President Internal Affairs: Aderibigbe Costly (LAUMSA).
3. Vice President External Affairs: Orumajuru Bright (NDUMSA)
4. Secretary-General: Animashaun Enmanuel (ILUMSA).
5. PRO: Ekpe Augustine James (CUMSA)
6. Treasurer: Ogundina Damilola (OOUMSA)
7. Director, Standing Committee on Public Health:

All other standing committees shall be contested for and filled at the upcoming NiMSA NEC meeting which shall take place in Calabar later in December.
The National officers have begun work immediately and shall hold her NOC meeting from Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th November in Lagos. The NMA President, the Minister of Health and all other concerned national stakeholders shall be notified in writing to state all that happened and our position on the issue.
We urge all members to cooperate with the new set of National Officers as they embark on a mission to save the image of NiMSA.
Thanks.
God bless NiMSA.

EKPE AUGUSTINE J.
Public Relations Officer
NiMSA

south east dey do collabo with north again