A human rights activist has described as baseless; the call by the Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Groups (CACSG) for the removal of Director-General of Nigeria Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Zaria, Professor Muhammad Kabir Yakubu, for alleged incompetence and non-productivity.

Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim, a Public Affairs Analyst and a rights activist, in statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, December 22, 2022, noted that the December 16, 2022, statement by CACSG, was aimed at sabotaging the good works of the embattled Director-General, who, he said, should be left alone to implement his lofty objectives for the institution as the achievements of his transformational administration were already visible.

CACSG, had in the said statement, alleged that key actors in the leather industry have lost confidence in the leadership of Prof. Mohammed Kabir Yakubu, and as such, they will not keep quiet as stakeholders and an organization poised to defend the interest of their region and its people.

Ibrahim noted that it was ironical that those he described as “outsiders” were showing more concern for NILEST than the “insiders.”

He said it amounts to falsehood to peddle that Yakubu, a foremost scientist and a professor of textile science was exhibiting incompetence in running the affairs of the Institute.

Referring to the intimidating profile of the DG, he said Prof Yakubu has an indepth knowledge and has carried out extensive research in textile industry, coupled with his vast experiences and a rich history of exciting career in the civil service.

“Also, Professor Kabir is referred to as excellent academician, erudite researcher, in-depth thinker, versatile reader and a philanthropist. He is open to accepting challenges and is regarded as a man of excellent records and repute in his administrative and academic services,” Auwal said.

He added that the DG had worked with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Port Elizabeth in far away South Africa in 2009.

The rights activist asserted that since he assumed office in 2021, Prof. Yakubu has done his best in repositioning the research Institute for Nigeria's development.

“To the defamatory statement of the Arewa Coalitions Groups and their sender on non-productivity of the Institute, the group should be informed that over 500 students were enrolled in the year 2020/2021 session and in the DG's passion for the Institute, he invites stakeholders, associations, trade unions and government agencies for conferences and workshops to acquaint them with the capacity of the institute,” Auwal said, adding that even the Presidency knows that the DG was competent.

“To say nothing but the truth, Professor Kabir has blessed the institute with various developments and equally projected a new direction for the realization of the Institute’s set objectives,” he stressed.

He advised the DG, the Board and staff of the institute not to be distracted from discharging their selfless services because of the baseless accusations by any person or any group.

He urged the authorities to see the accusations as a challenge which should make them to “uphold the values of their work against all odds.”

While chiding the CACSG, Auwal warned the group to be clear that “Nigerians will never be misled with their misinformation and their pay-masters because “they people only are the testimony of NILEST progress.” He therefore urged the public to ignore CACSG and their sponsors.

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