By Chris Udochukwu
ABUJA FCT – The Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) has commended the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, for following due process in appointing the Executive Secretary for the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Abuja.
In a letter signed by the Secretary General of ASURI, Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, the union expressed appreciation to the Hon Minister for appointing the most senior Research Director of NERDC, Dr. (Mrs) Margaret Taiwo Lawani, as the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of the Council in acting capacity as provided by the Conditions of Service for Federal Research and Development Agencies, Institutes and Colleges (COS 2019).
Professor Ndubuaku stated that the appointment “is already being applauded by stakeholders in the Research and Development Institutes (RDIs) sector.”
Speaking for the union, the scribe says: “As keen players-cum-watchers and, ipso facto, strategic stakeholders in the Research and Development Institutes (RDI) sector, we trust that she will deliver on the mandate of NERDC, based on her academic pre-eminence, her pedigree of character and commitment, experience, understanding of the terrain and unalloyed strife for excellence.
“As a well-grounded and time-tested Researcher, Administrator and team player, we have no doubt that NERDC is in safe hands. We know that all stakeholders, including the supervising Ministry, can now sleep with two eyes closed.”
The letter, dated 3rd of September 2024, with Ref. No. ASN/HMFME/NERDC/0724/01, says by this gesture, the Hon Minister, as the arrowhead of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration in the education sector, has proven that this government is poised for equity, justice and fair play as stipulated by the 23rd November 2017 circular of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and other extant regulations.
The SGF’s circular, “RE: PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTING CHIEF EXECUTIVES AND HEADS OF PARASTATALS, GOVERNMENT-OWNED COMPANIES, AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS,” with Ref. No. SGF/OP/1/S.3/T, states in part: “Such appointments which should be without prejudice to eligible serving officers competing for these positions must be based on strict adherence to the principle of justice, equity and fair play,” adding: “To ensure stability, continuity and improvement of staff morale, serving officers shall be encouraged to aspire to top positions of their establishments through effective career development and succession planning.”
Professor Ndubuaku, who is also the Convener of the ASURI/Civil Society Coalition for Research Funding and Strategies for National Transformation, a coalition of almost 40 civil society organisations, appealed to the Minister to follow the due process as stipulated by COS 2019 in the appointment of the substantive Chief Executive for the Council.
Noting that in the absence of a Governing Board, the Ministry, in its supervisory capacity over NERDC, has full powers to perform every duty of the Board, especially in appointing a substantive Chief Executive, ASURI claimed that if COS 2019 is adhered to, the process will turn out a seamless exercise. “In this case, therefore, the task of selecting ES/CEO for NERDC has been spelt out by COS ’19 and has therefore been made very simple.”
In a related development, the union has congratulated Dr (Mrs) Lawani on her appointment.
In the goodwill message conveyed to the Chief Executive through a letter, “APPLAUDING YOUR APPOINTMENT AS ACTING EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF NIGERIAN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (NERDC),” dated 2nd of September 2024 and signed by Professor Ndubuaku, the union noted that she did not just ride on the crest of COS 2019 but that she is well qualified for the job, adding that the cap fits her perfectly.
The position of the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of NERDC became vacant after the demise of the incumbent, Professor Ismail Junaidu, who passed on in Damaturu, Yobe State, on the 25th of July 2024 while attending a meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee of Education (JCCE).
