CBCHS Staff Representatives challenged to be Obedient, Submissive
CBC Executive President (EP), Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Chalemagne has admonished newly elected staff representatives of CBC Health Services institutions to obey their leaders and be submissive to them. The EP was addressing the staff representatives during a working session with them in the conference hall of his office in Bamenda on January 30, 2024.
Reading from Scriptures (Hebrews 13:7), the Man of God who doubles as proprietor of CBC institutions, advised staff representatives from across CBCHS institutions to “Be submissive and obedient to authorities because your leaders watch over you and will give an account”.
Rev. Dr. Nditemeh who has a background as a jurist drew the attention of staff representatives to understand that their duty is delicate and should therefore be taken with bravery and wisdom. “Not everybody who opposes you is your enemy and at the same time not everybody who claps for you is your friend,” the EP warned.
The Executive President who remained glued to his mantra of Truth, Equity and Justice, challenged the staff representatives to act with firmness. “Are you a staff representative elected by the people or politically motivated by powers, do you speak for the staff or you are someone’s sounding box.” he pondered aloud.
After the admonition from Scriptures, the EP disclosed the agenda of the meeting which was to hand the revised edition of the Internal Rules and Regulations to the staff representatives. He took time to explain the hierarchical organigram of the CBC which embodies other departments including the CBCHS. Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Charlemagne revealed to the staff representatives that some changes have been made in the internal rules and regulations of the CBCHS in accordance with the CBC Constitution and By-laws. He noted that that the same procedure will be implemented for all departments of the CBC.
Handing the revised Internal Rules to staff, the EP who described himself as a “Primitive Christian” told them to work with conscience. “As staff representatives, act INTRA VIRES, do not act ULTRA VIRES. I am handing this document to your conscience,” he instructed.
The EP ended with these words of encouragement, “Work for Fairness, work for Justice and God will protect you. Help me to work well, my ears are open. Facilitate the tasks for your Administrators and be fair to everybody. Remember tomorrow! Lay a good foundation”.
The staff representatives through their leader, Mr. Yosimbi Promise, expressed gratitude and thanked the EP for the educative working session. The staff representatives also appreciated the Executive President for meeting with them for the first time.
The staff representatives have the uphill and arduous task to go through the handed document at facility levels, get their inputs and send back to the EP who shall take them to the next General Council meeting for scrutiny and ratification.
On day one of the two days meeting in Bamenda, January 29-30, 2024, the newly elected staff representatives had a meticulous scrutiny of the 5th edition of the CBCHS Internal Rules and Regulations alongside the Policy document to be updated on these important working instruments. It was equally a time for the staff representatives to share experiences and challenges at their different stations.
Welcoming the staff representatives to the Baptist Center Nkwen, the National Staff Representative, Mr. Yosimbi Promise thanked them for answering present at the meeting at short notice. He used the opportunity to encourage the staff reps to do the delicate task ahead of them with enthusiasm.
“Give in all your energy as staff representatives, we are not here to protest nor fight, but to ensure the improvement of work. As staff representatives, do not take decisions under pressure, calm down, get the facts before acting”, the staff rep leader advised.
Receiving the staff representatives at the DHS Hall during morning devotions, the CBCHS Personnel Manager, Mr. Ndosak George called on them to do their work with diligence. He rejoiced over the fact that the CBCHS has never recorded any strike incident, thanks to the collegial collaboration of the staff representatives with the staff and Administration in place. “You are a very important group of people… The most important resource in our organization is our human resource; If our staff are angry, we are finished,” he quipped.
Before departing from Bamenda, the staff representatives prayed for the CBCHS and her stations in the crisis rocked North West and South West regions of the country.
