The federal government on Tuesday waded into the brewing leadership crisis in the Nigerian Raw Materials Research and Development Council by appointing Engr. Emmanuel Kwaya to serve as acting Director General for the council pending the appointment of a substantive DG.
Kwaya takes over from the immediate past DG/CEO, Professor Hussaini Ibrahim whose second and final term in office expired on April 7, 2024.
Until his appointment, Kwaya, was the most senior Director overseeing the Industrial Plant and Equipment Development Department of the Council.
A statement from Chukwuma Ngaha, Director, Corporate Services of RMRDC describes Ngaha as “a versatile technocrat, accomplished administrator and manager par excellence.”
The statement also explained that the Acting DG “joined RMRDC on 15th March, 1993 as a Scientific Officer and was Head of Administration and Consultancy at the then RMRDC Bauchi State Liaison Office.
Recall that recently the erstwhile Head of council, Professor Ibrahim was enmeshed in allegations of misappropriation of funds, and lobbying for tenure extension.
A copy of the allegations states that the former DG “was appointed in acting capacity by former President Goodluck Jonathan on 7th of November, 2013 and became substantive Director General on 8th of April, 2014.
“President Jonathan approved his appointment as substantive DG on 08/04/2014. His initial letter was for a term of 4 years which was later changed to 5 year term because he asked to serve for only a single term”.
“That too was an error as even his appointment ought to have taken effect from when he began acting. He now went on to demand for a 2nd term, and the term was corrected to reflect 4 years now as this was as indicated in the now repealed act.
“It may be worthwhile to note that before then, Prof. H. D. Ibrahim had served as Director from 17/09/2002 up until November 2013, that is over 11 years, against the then 8 years for Directors. This was so because after he was asked to go, he refused and somehow got away with it. Meanwhile others before him all left.
“Now, having served 2 terms of 5 years each (10 years), which terminated on 8th April 2024 without including the period of his acting appointment as provided in Section 9 (2d) of RMRDC Enabling Act 28 of 2022.
Prof Ibrahim has refused to handover and thereby launching a strong lobbying for his tenure extension beyond April 2024.”
“Ibrahim, who became the acting director-general and chief executive officer of RMRDC in 2013 is frantically pulling strings in the Presidency to secure an extension of his appointment beyond the legal limit.
“Beyond his extending his 2 term tenure, Prof Ibrahim has run RMRDC as if it were his private business.
“Ibrahim’s mafia-styled administration has caused trade union dispute with the 2 Unions in the Council sequence to internal letters addressed to him on staff welfare related issues.
Prof Ibrahim rushed to develop a multibillion Centre in Nigeria Air Space Development Agency complex, along the airport road named after himself to deceive authorities.”
Meanwhile, Ngaha in the statement disclosed that in the course of his career Engineer Kwaya “rose through the ranks of Senior Scientific Officer, Principal Scientific Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, Assistant Director, and Deputy Director before being promoted to the position of Director on August 23, 2019.
“He has served in several capacities and committees where his contributions have received recognition from within and outside the Council.
“He has also chaired and supervised many committees and participated in many projects from conceptualisation, design, fabrication, installation, commissioning and facility management.
The Acting DG holds the patent right for the Flash Dryer Equipment Design Innovation as well as the patent for the Development of a Microcontroller Based Pulse Oximeter with Adaptive Algorithm for Non-Invasive COVID-19 Detection, 2023.”
Ngaha also stated that the new CEO of the council was born on 19th February, 1965 in Michika, Adamawa State, Engr. Emmanuel Kwaya obtained a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (B. Eng. Mechanical Engineering) from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1986-1990) and a Masters degree in Agricultural Engineering (Power and Machinery) from the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna (2007 -2012).
“He is currently pursuing a PhD programme in Mechanical Engineering (Production Engineering) at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2021-date).
“He is a Fellow of several professional bodies both locally and internationally including: Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Procurement Engineers (NiProcE); Nigerian Centre for Public Service Productivity (FCP) and Development; Integrated Institute of Professional Management (FIIPM) as well as Member, Nigerian Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NiMechE); Project Management Institute (PMI); American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE); International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS); Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Abuja Chapter; and Engineers Without Borders (EWB), to mention a few.
“He has also attended many courses both locally and internationally.
Having served in several technical and services departments of RMRDC, Engr. Kwaya will be bringing his vast experience in raw materials resources development and utilisation, prudent and multi-layered human and materials management and team building skills as well as innovative acumen to bear in his new responsibility as he pilots the affairs of the Council to new heights in local raw materials research and development in Nigeria,” the statement revealed. (independence)