The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has hit back at the Jigawa State Council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), describing the council’s recent statement as “unnecessary, misplaced and revealing of a level of bitterness.”
The exchange follows a SaharaReporters publication on alleged salary delays, discrepancies and intimidation involving about 250 midwives in Jigawa State. The state NANNM council had distanced itself from the report.
In a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, ENF insisted it never posed as the union. “Elegant Nurses Forum is not NANNM, has never claimed to be NANNM and has never issued any statement pretending to speak for NANNM,” the group said.
The forum added that the original publication had clearly named it as the organisation raising the concerns. “Our name was not hidden. Our identity was not concealed,” it stated.
ENF, which describes itself as an advocacy organisation operating under the Workers Rights Campaign (WRC), said it has no ambition to take over or control the union. “ENF is not in competition with NANNM,” the statement read. “Our loyalty is to justice.”
The group said it has often referred aggrieved nurses to NANNM and even counselled some to “give their union another opportunity,” but claimed many returned after failing to get satisfactory solutions.
ENF also claimed to have assisted some NANNM-associated individuals in the past. “When some NANNM executives were in trouble, ENF did not first ask whether they were members of NANNM before deciding whether they deserved support,” it said.
The forum accused the Jigawa council of focusing on why ENF should not comment rather than on the substance of the complaints. “What about the approximately 250 Midwives whose welfare is at the centre of the matter?” it asked.
ENF challenged NANNM to substantiate any claim that the allegations were false. “If NANNM has evidence disproving the allegations, let it present the evidence,” the statement said, adding that if there are discrepancies, “let them be investigated.”
The group clarified that it does not act as an investigator. “ENF has never claimed to be a court of law,” it said. “That is advocacy.”
The forum also raised concerns about the relationship between some union officials and political actors. It said it had “seen and documented instances” that “raise serious questions about the independence and priorities of union leadership,” including the participation of union officials and resources in political activities.
“A union is expected to protect the interests of workers, not become an extension of the machinery of any political party,” ENF said, adding that it would continue to speak on such matters “whenever evidence supports them.” The group did not provide specific evidence in the statement.
ENF said the Jigawa NANNM statement would not deter it. “We will continue to speak. We will continue to investigate. We will continue to expose injustice,” it declared, adding that it would keep using “lawful and legitimate channels” and engaging the media and the public.
“ENF does not need permission from NANNM to advocate for Nurses,” the group said.
Urging the union to refocus, ENF said: “Instead of attacking the messenger, investigate the message.”
Closing its statement, the forum said it would not be drawn into a public feud. “Elegant Nurses Forum will not roll in the mud with pigs. We have work to do,” it stated.
