NASENI: PROTEST AND PICKETING OF NASENI HEADQUARTERS, START 25TH APRIL, 2018

The five year tenure of Engr. Muhammed Sani Haruna, the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, expired on 2nd April, 2018 and he has since then, refused to hand over to the next most senior director in the Agency. Till now, many Nigerians are wondering why the Minister for Science and Technology has refused to send a letter to NASENI, to direct the NASENI boss, to hand over to the next most senior director of the Agency while presidency takes its time to appoint a substantive EVC/CEO for the Agency.

Meanwhile, the attention of our correspondence was drawn to a claim in some national newspapers on 24th April 2018, alluding that His Excellency, President Buhari, on 23rd April, 2018, approved another five years tenure for Engr. M. S. Haruna. Investigation has revealed that the information is a mere propaganda and that, it is an attempt to rubbish the name of Mr. President who does not have a flare for the renewal of the appointment of corrupt official like Engr. M. S. Haruna, an appointee of the former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

It may have been true as published that, the minister for Science and Technology, in January, wrote to presidency, recommending that Haruna should be considered for a second tenure. It may also have been true that the Chief of Staff to Mr. President did another letter in that regard, to the SGF and back to the Minister. That not withstanding, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has the exclusive right to approve such appointment has not given his approval; probably, because he does not want to make the costly mistake that could contribute in further retarding the growth and development of the nation in the area of science and engineering infrastructure development. This is to say that, the claim of Mr. President's approval of the second tenure of Engr. M. S. Haruna is a scam that must be disregarded. The claim has been described by many, as a mere distraction that needs to be ignored.

In the said publication, it was credited to the Hon. Minister for Science and Technology that, in his recommendation, he inferred that the NASENI boss, during his first tenure, repositioned the Agency in such a way that it has assumed an important position in the efforts of the ministry to deepen the depth of science and technology as an important tool for national rebirth. What a questionable declaration! It could be recalled that the same NASENI, during the 2018 TECHNO EXPO AND TRADE FAIR organized by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja, where research results of all the parastatals under S&T were showcased, NASENI did not win a single award. Its level of propaganda was visibly detected by the panelists. This was because none of its products, was striking and ground-breaking as claimed. We wish to advice that Mr. President should not be misguided by the product of personal interests because the records are there for posterity to access and assess.

In the light of the above, the national body of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), in their letter with Ref. No. ASN/NI/P/0418/1, dated 24th April, 2018, has given a directive to the NASENI Branch of ASURI and all other ASURI Branches in Abuja and beyond, to, in the spirit of solidarity, commence the picketing of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), headquarters from 25th April, 2018, by 9am.

This action is said to be indefinite until the Minister for Science and Technology responds positively to the demands of the Union and staff of the Agency, regarding the appointment of an Acting EVC for NASENI in accordance with the Dec. 4th, 2017 directive of the SGF which was contained in the FG circular with Ref. No. SGF.50/S.II/C.2/268.

Reports also reaching us, suggest that NASU has met and decided to join camp with ASURI in protesting and picketing NASENI headquarters, indefinitely.

Before deciding to picket NASENI headquarters, the Union is said to had exhausted its effort at ensuring that Engr. M. S. HARUNA, peacefully hands over to the next most senior director in the Agency in accordance with the provision of the federal government's directive of Dec. 4th.

The National body of ASURI, in its preparation for this picketing exercise, had written to inform The Director General, DSS, Abuja; The State Director, DSS, Abuja; The SGF; The Commissioner of Police, FCT Police Hdqters, Abuja; The Minister for Science and Technology, Abuja; The Commandant, NSCDC; and other relevant bodies for their information and cooperation. This is conveyed in their letter with Ref. No. ASN/FM/NI/0418/2, dated April 22nd, 2018.

It is relevant to state, that, according to the Director, Administration and Human Resources, NASENI, Mr. A. K. Hassan, the information about the expiration of Haruna's tenure on 2nd April, 2018, was conveyed to the Minister for Science and Technology, the SGF and other relevant bodies to enforce the provision of the law in that regard. These were conveyed in the letter with Ref. No. NASENI/AD/GA/20/IV/423, dated 9th April, 2018 and NASENI/AD/GA/7/III/179, dated 11th April, 2018.

The collective integrity of His Excellency, President Buhari, his Chief of Staff, the SGF and, Minister for Science and Technology is on the test, once again. Nigerians are watching. They will want to know how NASENI issues are handled, putting the wish of the people at heart.

Ikechukwu Nonso

Africa with sit-tight leader. I hope buhari will do the needful by removing him asap. Already there are comment in some areas that corruption is worst under this administration.

Finally FTC. I want to thank my village people who allowed me achieve this feat