Group Calls For Resignation Of NABTEB Registrar Over Board Issues

A civil society group under the auspices of the Conference of Harmonised Civil Society Organisation in Nigeria (CHCSON) has called for the immediate resignation of the National Board of Technical Education (NABTEB) registrar, Ifeoma Abanihe over alleged malpractices and abuse of office.

The convener, CHCSON, Musa Lawani who made this call while speaking with newsmen in Abuja called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate alleged corrupt practices in the board.

He also expressed dissatisfaction over how the minister of Education, Hon. Adamu Adamu is managing the nation’s education sector and the recent purported dissolution of the NABTEB board.

Lawani said that the dissolution of the NABTEB board was done after several cases of alleged fraud had been established by the Governing Council against the registrar of NABTEB.

‘’The Governing board set up a committee to investigate her, indeed, a prima facie case was established against her. It was then expected that in line with President Muhammadu Buhari administration policy on anti-corruption, she would be asked to step aside pending proper investigation.

‘’Of course the Governing board of NABTEB recommended her suspension along with four directors of the agency.

“Surprisingly, the supervising ministry appeared not to be comfortable with the suspension of the registrar of NABTEB, even after a prima facie case was established against her. To further demonstrate the conspiracy of the minister of education to the fraud perpetrated by the registrar of NABTEB.

‘’A unilateral announcement was made by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr Sunny Echonu dissolving the board of the Governing Council of NABTEB,’’ he said.

Lawani, however, said the alleged illegal dissolution was done to spike the chairman and members of the Governing Council of the board of NABTEB for daring to expose fraudulent activities of the registrar of NABTEB.

He, therefore, demand that the ministry tender an unreserved apology to the Chairman and members of governing board of NABTEB for the illegal and purported dissolution as well as Nigerians for the embarrassment caused them.