The Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions has called for the immediate dissolution of the governing board of the National Centre for Technology Management over what the union tagged “misuse of power” by the board.
The academic union also commended the Federal Government for “following due process” in the appointment of the new Director General of the centre, Dr Victor Odukoya.
In a letter jointly addressed to the President, Bola Tinubu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the union affirmed that the appointment of the new NACTEM DG was “strictly in compliance with the extant regulations as stipulated in the Conditions of Service for Federal Research and Development Agencies, Institutes and Colleges (COS 2019),” adding that the government also complied with the provisions of all laid down guidelines.
The letter, which was obtained by our correspondent on Monday, however, accused the governing council of the centre of several allegations as regards the running of the centre.
For instance, the union said the board appointed a temporary head of agency who has since refused to hand over to the newly appointed DG by the government.
The letter, which was signed by the Secretary General of ASURI, Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, said, “Since ASURI can attest to the transparency of the process and the qualifications, competence and capacity of the new DG, we are rest assured that NACETEM is on the path of fulfilling its mandate.”
ASURI, however, punched holes in the activities of the Chairman of the Governing Board of NACETEM, Haastrup Olatunji, whom it accused of “sponsoring media campaigns, illegal strike action, lockout and picketing by a few members of the Non-Academic Staff Union at NACETEM.
“It is absolutely flippant and irresponsible of the Governing Board members, appointees of President, to turn themselves to a trade union and start picketing the institution they were appointed to superintend over and challenging an appointment made by President on the pages of newspapers, electronic and social media.”
The union noted that contrary to the stories in the media, the ministry followed due process to the letter, adding: “It is noteworthy that in exercising its authority in line with the administrative guidelines over a recalcitrant board, the former Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, wrote to the SGF and obtained the consent of the President to take over the process and save the face of the administration.
However, the overseeing DG, who is enjoying the support of the Governing Board, has refused to hand over to the new DG.
“In the light of the irredeemable ignorance, misuse of power, insubordination, maligning of constituted authority, peddling of falsehood and inciting actions, all of which are capable of disturbing public peace, ASURI hereby calls on the Federal Government to sack the Governing Board of NACETEM with immediate effect.”
