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Crisis Hits NBTE As director, Executive Secretary Bicker Over Suspension

Published

9 months ago

October 13, 2024

The National Board for Technical Education is currently enmeshed in crisis following the illegal suspension of a former Director, Human Resources, Lawal Hafiz, by the Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje.

Consequently, the former director of the NBTE, saddled with overseeing technical education, has petitioned the head of the organisation.

In the petition of the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, Bugaje was accused of illegally suspending a director of the board in an alleged case of witch-hunt.

Hafiz, also claimed that he was suspended following the allegation of being the arrowhead of whistleblowers who petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged illegal withdrawal of N200 million from the board’s Single Treasury Account (TSA) to a commercial bank.

According to Hafiz in the petition, the Executive Secretary feigned ignorance of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission and, instead, descended on the perceived whistleblowers by redeploying them and making them redundant.

He also accused the NBTE boss of deployment of board’s fully paid staff as manager of the executive secretary’s wife’s restaurant, and payment of salary to already employed federal government employees.

He then appealed to the minister to call the Executive Secretary, to order and restore the management committee comprising all directors of the board and disband the NBTE EXCO where only a few directors are members, an act not recognised by the NBTE laws.

Hafiz also added that even the query given to him on using public transport to conduct official engagements was answered in line with public service rules, yet he was suspended.

The petition read, “First, I wish to crave your indulgence to give a brief on the development that led to the unwarranted actions on my person by the Executive Secretary. Some times in May, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) opened an investigation into an allegation of withdrawal of over two hundred million naira from the Board’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to a Commercial Bank account of the NBTE Consult Ltd using some staff of the Finance Department as conduits. (See list of some of the officers interrogated in appendix Ia-Ib).

“Other allegations under investigation include the sale of luxury cars and buses under a swap arrangement without records, receiving kickback from contractors and operating an illegal kickback fund named known in Islam as Baytil Maal (See screenshot of WhatsApp chat with the ES in appendix II.”

“Furthermore, as part of the vengeance, he created what he called NBTE EXCO in place of the Management Committee made up of a handful of Directors to form the NBTE EXCO; effectively shutting me along with other Directors believed to be whistleblowers or not in his good books out of management committee. With this segregation, the NBTE EXCO meets monthly to make decisions while other Directors, including me, will only meet when necessary.

“This is quite strange as this scenario doesn’t exist in other regulatory agencies; National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) not to talk of other MDAs in public service. Management Committee everywhere is made up of all Directors of the establishment. The main target here is me. (see ES memo on formation NBTE EXCO as appendix III).”

NBTE boss dispels corruption allegations, vows to sanitise agency.

However, when contactedon the matter, the executive secretary, denied the allegations, while noting that the director was suspended, following his unsatisfactory reply to the query issued to him by the management.

The NBTE boss also denied allegations of corruption and embezzlement, attributing the claims to a disgruntled employee of the agency.

In an interview with The PUNCH , Bugaje addressed the allegations, stating that the NBTE has introduced digital accreditation to reduce corruption and increase transparency.

“We discovered that physical accreditation was prone to corruption, with institutions trying to cut corners. Digital accreditation ensures a more transparent process,” he explained.

“Regarding the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission investigation, Bugaje clarified that some staff members were invited for questioning, but it is not under investigation.

“The ICPC is a partner in our quality assurance exercise. We have a Memorandum of Understanding to combat illegal institutions defrauding students and parents,” he stated.

Bugaje attributed the allegations to a former Director of Human Resources, Lawal Hafiz, who allegedly sought to take over as acting executive secretary, adding that “Lawal Hafiz was trying to create problems between me and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics. He also attempted to short-change the board,” he alleged.

The NBTE boss emphasised his commitment to transparency and accountability, citing his 43 years of public service.

“I have always stood for transparency. We encourage whistleblowing and support the ICPC’s investigations,” he said.

Bugaje also addressed the suspension of four deputy directors for corruption, including financial misconduct and sexual harassment.

“We must sanitise the NBTE and ensure our accreditation process is transparent and sincere. We recalled the suspended directors after six months, posting them to departments outside accreditation,” he explained.

He noted that the NBTE has introduced digital accreditation to reduce costs, increase transparency, and promote blended learning.

“We are determined to keep marching on the path of technology, despite resistance from some quarters,” Bugaje concluded.

News

‘Nigeria Proud Way Tinubu Was Buried’ – Akpabio Goofs

Published

3 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday goofed while commending President Bola Tinubu over his role in the burial of his predecessor, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Akpabio said Nigeria is proud of the way “Tinubu was honored and buried.”

Buhari died in London on July 13 and was flown back to Daura, Katsina State, where he was buried on July 15.

Upon arrival in Daura, Tinubu had led a federal government delegation to receive Buhari’s corpse at the airport. The president was present during the state burial accorded to Buhari.

Speaking, Akpabio said: “The whole country is very proud of what this administration has done in the way and manner President Bola Tinubu was honoured and was buried. President Buhari was honoured and buried rather.

“Distinguish Senator Ningi, you also observed that President Bola Tinubu will not be forgotten for what he did during the burial ceremony of Buhari.

“In the Senate, we are also determined to ensure that in our books, the records say he should also have this valedictory, despite all said and done.”

News

NAFDAC Uncovers Warehouse Loaded With Explosive Chemicals In Kano

Published

3 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

A massive cache of industrial chemicals believed to be capable of producing explosives has been discovered and sealed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Kano State.

The facility, located in Kwakwachi within Fagge Local Government Area, reportedly housed 88,560 litres of hazardous substances—including highly concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids.

Speaking to journalists during an inspection of the site on Wednesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the discovery as deeply alarming.

Prof. Adeyeye was represented at the scene by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement.

According to Iluyomade, the warehouse was holding 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid (at 90.5% concentration) and 28,560 litres of nitric acid (at 68% concentration). Also discovered were 330 empty jerricans—evidence that some of the chemicals had already been distributed to unknown individuals.

“What we have seen here is mind-boggling, I don’t think I have ever seen this quantity of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid together in one place like this before,” Adeyeye said.

She explained that it was NAFDAC officials who, acting on a tip-off, traced the warehouse and found it operational. However, only a single staff member—the warehouse manager—was present at the time of the raid. He was immediately taken into custody.

NAFDAC said the person listed as the warehouse’s owner is not recognized as a licensed chemical marketer, which raises further red flags about the nature of the business being conducted.

“The owner is not listed as a chemical marketer. We keep a database to monitor the importation, use, and disposal of such chemicals. These acids are controlled chemicals that are not to be handled by just anybody,” she said.

Adeyeye stressed that importing this category of chemicals is a highly regulated process. It requires security clearance and permits, none of which were available in this case.

“Importing such chemicals requires clearance from the National Security Adviser and permits, none of which the owner possessed.”

“Permit and clearance is important because these chemicals are used to manufacture explosives.”

The volume of substances found in the warehouse, she noted, posed a grave threat to public safety.

“The volume we have here is enough to destroy the whole of Kano if mishandled,” she warned.

With the prime suspect still at large, NAFDAC said it has begun interrogating the arrested warehouse manager to uncover the chain of custody and determine the final destination of the chemicals.

Prof. Adeyeye further assured the public that the seized chemicals would be destroyed in accordance with environmental and safety regulations to prevent any misuse.

News

Nigerians Can Vote You Out In 2027 – Baba-Ahmed Warns Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

Former presidential aide, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that Nigerians have the power to vote out President Bola Tinubu in 2027 if the election is free and fair.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said the President should focus less on political calculations and more on governance, noting that the electorate will ultimately judge him based on his performance in office.

“The bottom line is that Nigerians are going to say, ‘What have you done with the first four years we gave you?’” he said. “Don’t take us for granted. We can vote you out if the election is free and fair. So show us what you’ve done.”

Baba-Ahmed, who resigned from his government appointment about three months ago, made the remarks while reacting to speculation about a plan to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027.

He criticised the President’s silence on the rumours, arguing that Tinubu should have personally addressed the issue if it were truly baseless.

“If all these stories about dropping the Vice President have absolutely no iota of truth, it would have taken just one thing: the President directly and personally saying, ‘Stop this nonsense. I have confidence in my Vice President. I work well with him. I am happy with him. And I want this nonsense about me dropping him, now or in the future, to stop,’” he said.

According to Baba-Ahmed, Tinubu’s failure to make such a declaration leaves room for suspicion. “His people didn’t say that. He didn’t say that. So, I would be very curious to find out what it is that makes all these stories about dropping him,” he added.

He concluded by stressing that leadership must be accountable and measurable. “It’s a governance thing that you will take to the electorate at the end. It doesn’t matter what you think you’ve done—all the defections to your party. Nigerians will decide.”