Coalition of Arewa Civil Society urges ICPC, EFCC to frozen NILEST Accounts
By: Femi Mustapha
The Leadership Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Groups (CACSG), has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences and
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to as a matter of urgency frozen and investigate the account of the Nigeria Institute for Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) Zaria, amidst complains of sharp practices.
The Spokeperson Comrade Abbas Aminu while addressing the media in Kaduna on Tuesday.
According to him the Coalition has observed the failures and maladministration of the Prof Kabir Mohammed led management of NILEST hence there y need for investigation.
He added that Prof Mohammed as the helmsman of the institute has failed to harness the potentials of the leather industry with the wealth of human and material resources available at his disposal.
Reacting to a recent publication by Public analyst and freedom writer who posed in defence of the DG he said CACSG is a coalition of renown civil society organizations in Northern Nigeria poised with the interest of the people of the north, the welfare of the downtrodden, the development of the region, and the empowerment of the youths in the region.
According to him in recent times they have commented on issues of nation interest and development, commended and appreciated leaders whose leadership disposition and acumen are exemplary and distinct, in the same vein, they will not leave out those who have displayed gross failure irrespective of their affiliation or political leaning.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the institute belongs to every Nigerian and our constituents form the demography of those in the institute, when has it become an offence to ask questions and demand that things be done appropriately?
“As a research and training institute, the DG couldn’t periodically organize training for young men and women for self reliance in the leather industry in a bid to curb unemployment in our region and the nation at large.
How many staff have gone for training since his assumption to the exalted office of the DG?
“These and many other sundry issues were what we raised and instead of the “halleluyah date a boy” to respond and address the issues we raised against his pay master he is busy attacking our personality and organisation.
“We are sure the acclaimed freedom fighter doesn’t expect the staff and students in the college to openly speak up against the many ills happening in the college for fear of victimization as the DG sees himself as a demigod of the institute.
“We expected the DG or the institute to respond or reply our noble association with fact and figures in regards to we raised against him and not one Auwal Ibrahim, who is a self appointed spokesperson of the DG to run to the media to issue some words that doesn’t hold water.
” It is also worthy of note that we as an organization are not in contention with his personal achievements and position as a professor, what we are concerned about is the application of this experience and knowledge as you claim to the development of NILEST and the region as a public officer
The DG should highlight NILEST’s deliverables in research, development and innovative new technologies for the leather sector since 2021 to date
” The DG should tell Nigerians the total number of Youth the institute has trained under his headship
“” he said
