Northern group restates call for removal of NILEST DG

By Sani Idris

The Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Groups (CACSG), has restated their call for the removal of Prof. Kabir Muhammad, the DG of Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Techology (NILEST), Zaria.

The Spokes Person of the Coalition, Cmrd. Abbas Aminu, restated their call for removal of the NILEST DG in a statement issued to press men on Tuesday in Kaduna.

He alleged that the leadership of the DG at the helms of affairs of the institute has failed in harnessing the potentials of the leather industry with the wealth of human and material resources available at his disposal.

He noted that while they would not join words with a public analyst and freedom writer who possed in defense of NILEST DG, it was important for them to address it in order not to allow falsehood thrive.

“We being a civil society organizations in Northern Nigeria are poised with the interest of the people of the North, welfare of the downtrodden, development of the region, and empowerment of the youths in the region.

“In recent times we have commented on issues of nation interest and development. Hence, we have commended and appreciated leaders whose leadership disposition and acumen are exemplary and distinct, in the same vain we will not leave out those who have displayed gross failure irrespective of their affiliation or political leaning,”Aminu said.

Aminu therefore said asa research and training institute, the NILEST 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 the North 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 data boy” to respond and address the issues we raised against his pay master, he is busy attacking our personality and organisation.

“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?

“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 demi god 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 spokes person of the DG to run to the media to issue some words that doesn’t hold water,”Abbas lamented.

He noted that the CACSG as an organisation were not in contention with the NILEST DG’s personal achievements and position as a professor.

“What we are concerned about is the application of this experience and knowledge as he claim to the development of NILEST and North as a public officer.

Aminu wondered why the DG, being a professor of textile science and technology, is failing to handle and project the leather research institute to lofty heights.

“No doubt there is a clear distinction between the leather and textile industry,”he said.

Abbas further, therefore called on ICPC and EFCC to frize and investigate the account of the NILEST and the DG to tell Nigerians the total number of Youth the institute has trained under his headship.

He also urged the Government to immidatly replace the NILEST DG with someone with technical know-how and network to annest the potential in the institute.