The National Association of Nigerian Students has stated that it is still dedicated to establishing good governance and fighting the pervasive corruption afflicting the country’s body politic.
In the meantime, Prof. Jeffrey Barminas, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, was given a vote of confidence by the organization, according to Usman Kankia, the National Secretary General of the NANS, in a statement made in Kaduna State.
This came after the NARICT CEO was accused of nepotism, corruption, and tenure expiration in some circles.
The allegations, the NANS scribe claimed, were not only false and unverified, but also misleading. As a result, the scribe concluded, they should be disregarded.
He also praised the NARICT DG’s work in repositioning the institute to fulfill its founding goal to advance research in fields such as chemical technology, entrepreneurship, and national security, which has had a good effect on the Nigerian economy.
“Prof. Jeffrey oversaw the construction of the NARICT Nuclear, Biological and Radiological De-Contamination Laboratories fitted to treat victims of nuclear, biological and radiological attacks in Nigeria,” Kankia said, adding, “this has the capacity to assist Nigeria detect nuclear, radioactive and biological attack on the Nation’s territory.”
He asserted that the NANS under the current leadership will not permit itself to be influenced by a vicious narrative against a tried and true patriot who has devoted his life to serving our beloved country.
The NANS leader said, “NANS is to simply put things regarding the tenure of the Director General of the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology Zaria in perspective and to affirm our fraternal support for the hardworking, visionary and pacesetting Director General and Chief Executive Officer Prof. Jeffrey Tsware Barminas.
“Prof. Jeffrey was first appointed DG via a letter from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation dated 18th April, 2017 for a period of four years, subsequently in appreciation of his sterling performance in office, this appointment was renewed on 24th March, 2021 via a letter signed by the Honorable Minister (State) of Science and Technology.
“It is, however, inconceivable for anybody to suggest that the DG is occupying office illegally as his appointment is subsisting untill the expiration of his 2nd tenure.”
He claimed that the present student leadership in Nigeria has zero tolerance for corruption and that NANS was ready to take the fight to the vice at all levels.
“We are against corruption and we are committed to advocating and promoting good governance at all levels, as such we will never support corrupt elements in government,” the NANS leader added.
