Address Presented by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria during the Press Briefing Organized by AMLSN on Friday June 10, 2016.

Gentlemen of the press,

INTRODUCTION
The entire members of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) were struck with sadness on hearing the gruesome killing of Mrs. Olufunke Omotuyi the Ag Registrar of our Council – Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).

1.0. The gruesome killing was reported to have taken place at her residence in Apo Area of Abuja around 4am on Wednesday June 8, 2016. Mrs. Olufunke Folashade Omotuyi was appointed as the Ag Registrar of MLSCN upon the removal of the former Registrar of the Council by FMOH. The Late Mrs. Olufunke Omotuyi was a very humble, innocent and peaceful mother and an astute medical laboratory scientist. Mrs. Omotuyi could hardly harm a fly! It is unfortunate that the life of this humble and peaceful woman had been cut off through this means!

2.0. OUR APPEAL TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS:
We appeal to the Nigerian Police Force and other law enforcement agents to demonstrate that this killing was not handled with kid glove like other previous killings.We expect tangible outcome of the investigations that will unravel those responsible for those gruesome killing. This killing must not be allowed to be swept under the carpets.

3.0. APPEAL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT/FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH:
We appeal to FG/FMOH to please expedite action on the reconstitution of the Governing Board of MLSCN to enable the Board resolve all the issues surrounding appointment of substantive Registrar for the Council (MLSCN).

4.0. DIRECTIVE TO ALL MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTISTS, MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIANS/ASSISTANTS:
As a mark of respect for Late Mrs. Olufunke Omotuyi, we hereby declare a 5-day mourning period from Monday June 13 to Friday June 17, 2016. During this period, all medical laboratory scientists, technician and Assistants are to

i. Wear black arm band on their laboratory coats/lab gowns to reflect the mourning period.
ii. Open a condolence register at all chapter, branch and national secretariat of the Association.
iii. Medical laboratory scientists and friends of the profession can log onto the online condolence portal with the following link http://www.forevermissed.com/mrs-omotuyi-olufunke-folasade/?utm_campaign… (link is external)
iv. We urge all members to please make any credible information that can help the Police to unravel the killers and those that may be directly or remotely connected with this gruesome killing.
v. We should all ceaselessly continue to as this question “who kill Mrs. Olufunke Omotuyi?” until we have satisfactory answer.

CONCLUSION:
We strongly condemn this killing in all its ramifications. We express our heartfelt condolences to Ven. Joshua Oluwole Omotuyi – the husband of Late Mrs. Omotuyi, her children and all members of her family for this irreparable loss.

We urge the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that strategies that will lead to unraveling the killers of Mrs. Omotuyi are deployed. This killing must not be swept under the carpet as done in the past for similar killings.

This type of killingcould continue to attract negative publicity to Nigeria; it can also scare away investors and professionals in Diaspora from coming back home to contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria. Those involved must therefore be thoroughly investigated, arrested and brought to book to serve as deterrent.

We thank you all.