Staff Unions of the Nigerian Institutes of Social And Economic Research (NISER) have called for investigation of the Director General of the institute, Dr. Folarin Gbadebo over alleged embezzlement, academic and administrative incompetence and lack of qualification for the position of Director General.
The Unions, under the auspices of Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI)), Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), staged a protest on Tuesday to express their displeasure.
Members of the Unions were seen carrying placards with different inscriptions such as No To Another Four Years Gbadebo Smith In NISER, Mr. President Safe NISER From Folarin Gbadebo Smith; Honorable Minister Safe NISER From Dentist Gbadebo Smith; NISER Cries For Another DG, among others.
In his address, Chairman, Joint Action Committee (JAC), Comrade Babatimehin Muyiwa, who also double as the Chairman of Academic Staff of Research Institutions (ASURI), based the their protest on three issues including lack of prima0facies qualification for the position of Director General, academic and administrative incompetence and embezzlement of public funds which they said has been affecting the performance and output of the institute.
He disclosed that the last four years of Mr. Gbadebo has given a setback for the institute, saying it was that it was the move prompted the Unions to write petition to the Governing Council and other institutions.
Babatimehin alleged that DG has siphoned monies meant for the development of the institute through spurious and unverifiable research activities purportedly conducted by the institute.
He disclosed that the embattled DG is a dentist by profession and possess no research degree (Ph.D) that could have qualified him as a socio-economic researcher.
“Abysmal low research out, poor staff welfare, non-promotion of qualified staff, no conference sponsorship and capacity training for staff, no strategic plan document, non-adherence to extant rule as regards staff management and deployment, truancy from duty post and conflict of interest by the continued running of personal businesses (NGO) to the detriment of NISER.”
Babatimehin, demanded for immediate investigation of all the allegations against Dr. Gbadebo Smith and, as well putting in place a process of appointing a new DG for NISER as enshrined in the Condition of Service for Federal Research and Development Agencies, Institutes and Colleges.
He appealed to the federal government to save NISER from an impending calamity by not returning the incumbent, Dr. Folarin Gbadebo Smith as Director General at the expiration of his tenure in May, 2021.
In his reaction, the embattled DG said both the panel and supervising Minister had told him not grant press interview on the allegation and that the panel’s report would shed light on the matter.
He, however, disclosed that the challenges before him bordered on the fact that some people within the institute did not want his appointment to be renewed for another term of four years
Some of the other officers of the Unions at the protest were Comrade Tubi Theophilus Chairman NASU of the Research Institute, Comrade Matthew Olagunju Chairman, SSAUTHRIAI among others.
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