GROUP CALLS FOR CONFIRMATION OF DR. OKPARA AS SUBSTANTIVE DG OF NILEST

"We commend the transformational agenda carried out by Dr. Mrs. E.N Okpara in Nigerian Institute of Leather & Science Technology, Zaria".... CSO's Tell Buhari

"We are proud to be associated with NILEST under the able leadership of Dr. E. N Okpara and her exemplary leadership style".


A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Kaduna state, Northwest Nigeria, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm the appointment of Dr. Eucharia Ngozi Okpara as substantive Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, NILEST, Zaria.

The coalition of CSO's in a statement recently, noted that, in view of the wonderful achievements recorded by Dr. Eucharia Okpara in her capacity as Acting DG of NILEST, appealed to President Muhammad Buhari to confirm her as the substantive DG of the Institute.

Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Kaduna State, Comrade Zubairu Mukhtar at a press conference organised on Saturday June 29, in Kaduna, appreciated the Federal Government for appointing Dr. Okpara into the position of acting DG considering her academic, character and personal qualifications.

It said; "We want to appreciate the Federal Government who appointed a personality of inestimable character and an academic juggernaut in an acting capacity and we are proud to say that having her as a substantive Director General would not only take NILEST to the next level but, also compliment the next level agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari".

"We would like to appreciate the giant strides and doggedness of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari in your fight against corruption and ensuring the principles of good governance is ensured in the Public Sector", the coalition said.

They explained that the call became very pertinent upon them as youths and progressives, who have the interest of the good people of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large, at heart to come forth as a formidable team to commend the transformational agenda carried out by Dr. Mrs. E.N Okpara in Nigerian Institute of Leather & Science Technology, Zaria".

"NILEST, under the leadership of Dr. Mrs. E. N. Okpara as Ag. Director General has recorded several developmental and transformational overhaul which is not limited to: Continuation of construction work on NILEST Entrepreneurship centre which is 70% complete, Construction of NILEST South East Regional Centre, Okwodor, Imo state 30% complete, Renovation of offices and workshops and Construction, renovation, equipping and commissioning of NILEST Sokoto extension Centre, procurement of state of the arts machineries for leather footwear, polymer production, science & research laboratories to enhance research".

"Similarly, the procurement of several project vehicles to ease transportation of staff and students, consistency in promotion of qualified staff as at when due, clearing of backlog of some outstanding salary arrears, collaboration with international and local organizations towards the realization of NILEST mandate and zero industrial crisis, since her assumption as Acting DG as against 12 local industrial strikes experienced by her predecessor between 2010 – 2016", they listed.

The coalition further said that her zero tolerance for corruption, adherence to the principle of transparency and accountability, production of over 6,500 military boots as a collaboration project with the Nigerian Army to mention but a few, are other outstanding things that make her stand out.

"Premised on the above, we are proud to be associated with NILEST under the able leadership of Dr. E. N Okpara and her exemplary leadership style as that would take NILEST to the next level", they concluded.