Communique issued at the end of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Nigeria Soceity of Physiotherapy held in Dutse, Jigawa State on Friday 5th November 2021.
Preamble
We are grateful to God and everyone for a successful opening ceremony that attracted dignitaries including His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, MON, mni - (Governor of Jigawa State) and his cabinet members. NSP is delighted especially by the governor’s immediate employment of the four(4) Jigawa state indigenes that attended the conference, inclusion of Physiotherapy program in the on going plan for a medical school in the state University, other positive gestures and opportunity for cooperate deliberations both during the ceremony and in his office.
The AGM of Nigeria Soceity of Physiotherapy (NSP) was a hybrid meeting held on Friday, 5th November 2021 at the Manpower Development Institute, Dutse, Jigawa state.
The President appreciated members for their support and commitment to National Executive Council towards advancing the profession. She particularly recognized the effort and presence of elders, teachers, State Chairmen and their councils, physiotherapists in diaspora, MRTBN board Chairman/Registrar and students who were observers during the AGM. She appreciated the immediate past administration led by Dr Rufa’I Yusuf Ahmad (PT, PhD) and EKO NSP for last year’s AGM and conducting an election in the most civilized and warm manner despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
President listed achievements recorded by the present NEC to include but not limited to the following:
- NEC held its maiden meeting on 7th November 2020 immediately after the election to set plans as campaigned
- Renewed our rent at the Abuja office for which she appreciated the immediate past president, Dr Rufai Yusuf Ahmad, for handing over enough funds to handle that
- Establishment of Standing and adhoc committees early enough to kick start activities
- Adequate presence in media space to project the society (Print, TV and Social media). The NEC on several of the media appearances exposed the recent braindrain hitting Physiotherapy as a profession. Government is adviced to look into the employment and welfare of physiotherapists in order not to loose our best hands especially in this pandemic era.
- NSP celebrated world marked days eg World Disability day on 3rd December 2020
- Courtesy visits to the Ministries of Education and Health for State. Attempts are being made to physically engage the main minister of Health.
- Engagement meetings and discussions with NGOs and some embassies in the country.
- NSP was fully involved in the flag up of universal healthcare coverage by the Ministry of Health for which she appreciated Dr Felix Obi (PT) and the NSP Abuja chapter ably led by Dr Chibuike Mbammalu, PT.
- NSP has been active in National Assembly activities and submitted a position statement during senate public hearing on national maternal and perinatal deaths surveillance (established, etc.) bill, 2020 (sb.581) and also MDCN amendment bill.
- NSP provided free access to a physiophedia account to financially up to date members and young professionals. She appreciated the Postgraduate Physiotherapy College for collaborating with us.
- Created young and early carrier professional committee through which young vibrant Nigerian physiotherapy student was elected as a member of the WPT young leaders network with the support of NSP NEC .
- Timely payment of World Physiotherapy dues
- Strengthened the relationship with WPT Africa region through collaborative activities.
- MOUKA LTD has been at the forefront of supporting NSP activities. The company involved NSP in several of its media publicity program and this year they donated some gift items e.g. Ward-coats, almanacks and calendars.
- NSP education activities have been at international standards and several workshops were organized in the year under review in collaboration with international scholars. She is happy that Nigerian Physiotherapists are getting the best and appreciates the Education committee ably led by Dr Olusegun Adejare
- NSP paid a visit to MRTBN to strengthen the working relationship between the two organizations. The relationship is still not perfect but is a lot better than what it used to be with ongoing communications.
- NSP has inducted several new members in two induction ceremonies and is giving attention to many applications waiting for approval.
- NSP is active with NUAHP and AHPA. The President has been elected as Treasurer of AHPA.
- The establishment of the West African College of Physiotherapy has kick-started and it is coordinated by NSP. The west African counterparts are cooperating and the NSP council will provide members with further details in due course.
- NSP car – NSP 01 has been moved from Kano to Enugu and it is currently in manageable shape.
- NSP held an innovative interactive meeting – Insight. It allowed NEC to interact with members to keep them updated with the current activities of the society.
- NSP secured collaboration with Emory University Journal and finalized MOU with African Journal Online AJL as our publisher.
- NSP held OGM at Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. This has yielded a lot of benefits to the state members in terms of employment and approvals of many of their demands by the State government.
- NSP has been supportive of NAPS. This is inclusive of financial support during their national conference 2021.
- NSP is participating in student inductions by attending and awarding the NSP President’s Award to the best graduating student. This is a cash award of twenty thousand naira only with a certificate and a plague to the best graduating student from the schools that formally invite the NSP to their induction ceremony.
BOWEN University and UNIBEN are the first beneficiaries.
Resolutions
1) Creation of template for State chapters Report. The template has been developed and state Chapters trained on the use of the template for report writing.
2) NSP NEC is to continue publicizing the PPC at every interaction with relevant agencies including the office of the head of the civil service of the federation; as procedures for recognition of PPC by Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Ministry of Education, National University Commission (NUC). The President assured the house that government officials and other stakeholders are provided with relevant documents to guide their decision.
3) Doctor of Physiotherapy implementation committee was set up and headed by Dr Rufai Yusuf Ahmad (PT, PhD); They are already working to sensitizing training institutions for migration to DPT from Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT).
4) NEC is diligently following up with a land application in Abuja. Contact has been established with the Director AGIS at FCDA. unfortunately, lands are not being inssued now but when they start, NSP application will be considered. The President appreciated a physiotherapist in the diaspora for making the connection possible. NSP should acquire it’s own land while waiting for the allocation from govt. Congress approved that members be levied to enable NSP buy land in suburb of Abuja. Levy on members aside fundraising to be paid in a dedicated account to be named “NSP BUILDING PROJECT-ABUJA” were approved based on the following structure:
(Based on years post graduation)
0—5years—20,000
6—10years—30,000
11—20years—50,000
21 and above—100,000.
All amount to be paid in 2021/2022 financial year.
5) NEC to liaise with past Presidents, Rev Dr Jayesime,PT, Dr Taiwo Oyewumi, PT and Dr Rufai Yusuf Ahmad,PT through the Dr Ajiboye led accounts review committee to determine the status of the five (5) NSP accounts and proper accounts handover be done by previous administrations. Only two (2) of the accounts were handed over to the past administration, hence the need for NEC to ensure proper handover of the accounts and change of signatures were done as soon as possible. Past presidents are expected to lead by example and do needful.
6) Approval was given for the names of financially up to date members to be published online. Finance and PR team to announce the due date as a reminder to members. Members are hereby reminded that the financial year starts from 1st September to August 31st of the following year.
7) Resolutions of the 2021 Ordinary General Meeting were ratified.
8) Sequel to the MRTBN reconciliation meeting held 4th March 2021 between NSP and ACAPN representatives were resolutions not limited to those below listed as:
-NSP name and logo will be retained as the official representation of all Nigeria physiotherapists
-The transition period begins from 4th March 2021 to October 2023.
-For the moment both associations will retain their name and activities while the transition period continued.
-All physiotherapists in Nigeria must belong to either of the association and must show evidence of dues payment before renewal of license by MRTBN
-All physiotherapists in Nigeria must come under one umbrella body (i.e. NSP) by the end of October 2023.
-Joint body representation will be done in any area of interest to represent Physiotherapists in Nigeria.
Above resolutions were approved by AGM, however, NEC is advised not to lose focus in the face of the transition. Also, there should be NEC meeting to develop a milestone for the transition process that must be agreed upon by ACAPN, this is to get the commitment of both parties. NEC should kick start the process of a constitutional amendment.
9) The following members were conferred with the NSP Fellow award as approved by the AGM:
a)-Dr Muibat Adetutu Akintayo (PT)
b)-Dr Uthman Anjorin (PT)
NSP, Jigawa state chapter and the 2021 conference and AGM local organizing committee are commended by the NEC for a successful outing. The NEC announced that the next NSP conference will hold in Enugu, the Coal city state as was bidded for in 2018 conference and AGM hosted by the Rivers state chapter.
Once more, we thank our members for continuing support and commitment as we look forward to a memorable ‘Coal City 2022’ conference and annual general meeting.