Nigeria Times

…..decry poor management of NILEST, failure to harness hides and skin in Nigeria

The Oodua Youth Parliament has faulted the decision by the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) to site the ₦350 million worth tannery in Daura, Katsina State.

Speaker of the parliament, Hon. Abdulmajeed Oyeniye while addressing a press conference in Abuja argued that it is unfair that an Institute located in the Northwest Geopolitical Zone will choose to site such project within the same region.

“Are other states like Lagos, Oyo or Ekiti not part of the country again or was the institute established only for the Northwest region? This is unacceptable to the generality of Nigerians and must be reversed in the spirit of federal character and fairness,” the group queried.

The parliament expressed dissatisfaction with Director General of the institute, Professor Mohammed Kabir Yakubu alleging the institute has failed to live up to the expectations of providing job opportunities to Nigerians and help boost the economy.

The group thereby called for the immediate sack of Yakubu with with the aim of replacing him with a competent hand that would reposition the institute for service delivery.

The group alleged: “NILEST was conceived with the aim of harnessing the vast potentials in the flourishing livestock industry in country especially in northern Nigeria.

“With over 100 million of cows, goats and ship with thousand slaughters daily, Nigeria was projected to be a net exporter of hides and an industrial hub in the leather and skin industrial sector. More than 20 years down the line nothing has changed and it got worse under the present administration of Professor Mohammed Kabir Yakubu.

“The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has shown that Nigeria exports less than 100 tons of hides and skin. In fact it’s questionable if this quantity is exported to neighboring African countries and whether it’s just raw skin or actually hides.

“There has not be any visible footprint of NILEST anywhere in Nigeria even though there are abattoirs spread across the country from Maiduguri to Lagos and Port Harcourt. All attempts made at skinning and preservation are done at the individual level with no input from a supposedly professional body.

“Thus crude practices and techniques still exists making it impossible for the country to produce leather fit for domestic consumption talk more of exportation.

“Prof. Yakubu has done nothing to justify the huge taxpayers money invested in the Institute has headed for years. Nigerian animal skin especially cow skins are only useful for local consumption as ‘ponmo’. There is no industry in Nigeria that processes animal skin, not even the laboratory in NILEST. While the machines and manpower is on standby, there no management direction and input from anywhere making government investments a total waste.

“Nigerians still prefer Italian shoes and bags and belts. The raw materials for these are made from the same cows we have here in abundance. If NILEST was incapable of pioneering research in skin and hides preservation, it should have at least partnered the local tanner’s in Katisna, Zaria, Kano, Borno and elsewhere, but as we speak there is none such partnership and no capacity building of any kind. This is totally unacceptable and must be stopped.

“By sheer lack of foresight, NILEST has cost Nigerians millions of jobs. With the resources and capacity available to the research institute, millions of Nigerian youth ought to have been trained in skinning, preservation and collection of hides across the country for onward processing at designated centres for export and use by local shoemakers.

“Imagine 5 employees per an abattoir across the country. Imagine the indirect jobs that would have come with this arrangement. The value chain from animal skins and hides would have been enormous. The inability of this professor to deliver is enough to send him packing back to the classroom where he came from.

“The Director General of NILEST has performed abysmally. Infrastructure development under his tenure is poor with nothing to show for so far. Aside house personal comfort, there has been no staff promotions and further studies grants since he assumed office.

“At a time Nigeria is seeking to diversify and shift from high dependence on oil, we don’t want a leader that thinks only about their personal interests. A new DG that will reposition the Institute and revive the research culture for industrial gains and economic development is what we want at the moment.

“While we call on President Buhari to use his good office and sack professor Yakubu, we urge the President to equally bring a replacement that will prioritize youth training and partnerships that will address the dependence on foreign leather products and create jobs for teeming Nigerians.

” Policies aimed at stopping the consumption of ‘ponmo’ should be backed by concrete actions aimed at harnessing the abundant skins and hides for a vibrant leather industry.”

…calls for the Sack of the incumbent DG

Oodua Youth Parliament, a Civil Society Organization (CSO) with the mandate to institutionalize good governance at all levels, including holding political appointees and public servants accountable for their stewardship, has described as deplorable the state of affairs at the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) Zaria, Kaduna State.

Addressing journalists at the International Conference Center Abuja, RT. Hon. Abdulmajeed Oyeniye, Speaker, Oodua Youth Parliament wondered why a research institute of international standard like NILEST has failed to produce a single patent, innovation or solved any local problem since it was established.

“Research institutes everywhere around the world are supposed to be centres of excellence and innovations. They are supposed to be specialised centres pioneering advanced innovative research projects and churning out products that are useful for both individual consumption and industrial use. Sadly, the situation in NILEST is appalling and deplorable. There is no single achievement, no patent, no innovation, nothing at all to justify the trillions of naira spent on the Institute over the past two decades”, the statement maintained.

Recounting the rationale behind the establishment of NILEST, RT. Hon. Abdulmajeed Oyeniye pointed out that the Institute was conceived as a strategy for diversifying and stimulating the local economy through the already thriving livestock industry in the country to produce quality leather products for domestic and international markets. He noted further that if this mandate was achieved, Nigeria would have become one of the largest leather exporters with a thriving local leather industry.

“NILEST was established with the aim of harnessing the vast potentials in the flourishing livestock industry in country. With over 100 million of cows, goats and ship with thousand slaughters daily, Nigeria was projected to be a net exporter of hides and an industrial hub in the leather and skin industrial sector. More than 20 years down the line nothing has changed and it has gotten worse under the present administration of Professor Mohammed Kabir Yakubu with data from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) showing that Nigeria exported less than 100 tons hides and skin in the 2021. There has not be any visible footprint of NILEST anywhere in Nigeria even though there are abattoirs spread across the country from Maiduguri to Lagos and Port Harcourt. All attempts made at skinning and preservation are done at the individual level with no input from a supposedly professional research institute”, the Speaker noted.

The CSO maintained that, lack of management direction and vision over the years and particularly in the last two years has made Nigeria a dumping ground for foreign leather products including shoes and bags and belts. Nigerians, the group added has no value for Nigerian animal skins again aside their nutritional value even though animal skins have no nutrients for the human body.

According to the speaker, “it is shameful that Nigerian animal skin especially cow skins are only useful for local consumption as ‘ponmo’. There is no industry in Nigeria that processes animal skin, not even the laboratory in NILEST. Nigerians still prefer Italian shoes and bags and belts. If NILEST was incapable of pioneering research in skin and hides processing, it should have at least partnered the local tanner’s in Katisna, Zaria, Kano, Borno and elsewhere, but as we speak there is none such partnership and no capacity building of any kind. This is totally unacceptable”

The Youth Parliament noted that, since agriculture is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, it is possible that a vibrant and functional NILEST should have provided millions of direct and indirect jobs to Nigerians if the management had vision and foresight. If ony 1000 youths where trained and employment across the the 774 local government areas in the 36 States including the FCT, the issue of youth unemployment would have been solved. This, the group submitted, has never been the case leading to the loss of billions of dollars that would have been accruing from exports and domestic trade.

Part of the statement read as follows; “by sheer lack of foresight, NILEST has cost Nigerians millions of jobs. With the resources and capacity available to the research institute, millions of Nigerian youth ought to have been trained in tanning, skinning, preservation and collection of hides across the country for onward processing at designated centres for export and use by local shoemakers. Imagine 20 employees per an abattoir across the country. Imagine the indirect jobs that would have come with this arrangement. The value chain from animal skins and hides would have been enormous”

Insisting on the sack of the current DG, Prof. Mohamed Kabir Yakubu for failure to provide visionary leadership and gross incompetence, having no credentials in the area of agricultural production or natural resources management, the group added that, the DG has displayed nepotistic tendencies that needs to be checked if the federal character arrangement and the anti-corruption war of President Buhari’s adminstration is still to be trusted and given some level of credibility.

“Not just has the current DG of NILEST performed beyond the calling of a professor, he is also nepotistic. Recently and certainly an apparent show of eye-service, he announced the establishment of ₦350 million tannery in Daura, the President’s home town in Katsina State, North West Nigeria. Isn’t it unfair that an Institute located in the Northwest Geopolitical Zone will choose to site a project like that within the same region? Are other states like Lagos, Oyo or Ekiti not part of the country again or was the institute established only for the North West region? This is unacceptable to the generality of Nigerians and must be reversed in the spirit of federal character and fairness.

“Our investigations have also shown that Mohammed Kabir Yakubu is actually a professor of Textiles Technology and not leather or agricultural production technology, neither is he an expert in natural resources management. Putting square pegs in round holes in a country like Nigeria with abundant professionals in almost all fields is shameful. No wonder, he has failed to make a mark because it’s an area he has no knowledge or expertise whatsoever. After sacking him which is the right thing to do, President Buhari should endeavour to appoint a technocrat who will drive the leather industry and give Nigerians value for the huge investments and potentials available in leather processing”, the statement concluded.

“… we will keep supporting sarkin Yakin opanda to deliver on mandate…”

As Nasarawa State Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule clocks 63 years today Monday 26th of December, 2022. Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi has called on citizens to pray and give him more support to succeed on his Mandate.

The Speaker who was speaking to Newsmen in Lafia felicitates with the Governor on his 63rd birthday celebration which he said is worth celebrating.

The State Number Three Citizen said the State Assembly under his watch will continue to give Governor Abdullahi Sule all the necessary support to enable him succeed on the task of providing quality leadership and good governance to the people of the State.

Speaker, Balarabe Abdullahi prayed God to continue to protect, guide and give the Governor sound health and more wisdom in the years ahead as he pilot the affairs of the State.

He emphasized that Governor Abdullahi Sule have passion for the State and has shown greater desire to turn around the fortunes of the people of the State hence the need for citizens to give him more support, understanding and prayers to succeed.

Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi added that the Governor is laying a solid foundation for the State to be among the top industrial States in the Country and need to be re-elected to continue with the good work he is doing for the people of the State.

He congratulated Governor Abdullahi Sule who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin Opanda on his 63rd birthday celebration and wished him more rewarding years ahead.

By Zhong Yin, People’s Daily

As China optimizes its pandemic response measures, regions across the country have resumed work, industrial production and commercial activities.

A tunnel of the Shenyang-Baishan high-speed railway in Baishan city, northeast China’s Jilin province has resumed construction; in the Haikou International Duty Free City in south China’s Hainan province, consumers are lining up in front of cashiers; an enterprise in Changde, central China’s Hunan province recently received a 20-million-yuan ($2.87 million) export order…

In 2020, China became the first major economy to attain positive economic growth; in 2021, the country’s GDP topped 114 trillion yuan, with its two-year average growth standing at 5.1 percent; this year, the Chinese economy withstood pressure and kept consolidating the trend of recovery.

China has struck a balance between implementing COVID-19 response measures and stabilizing growth, between promoting development and keeping a red line in pandemic control, and between addressing short-term demands and pursuing long-term goals.

While safeguarding the lives and health of its huge population, the country has eradicated absolute poverty, built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and got off to a good start in implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan, embarking on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects.

Practices proved that China has explored a path that well coordinates pandemic control and economic and social development. The country has to the maximum extent protected people’s lives and health, and reduced the impacts from COVID-19 on economic and social development to the fullest.

Coping with COVID-19 is a major test of the century, in which the most important thing is to ensure the safety of the people while advancing economy and livelihood. In the recent three years, China has constantly adjusted and optimized its prevention and control measures in accordance with the new features of the variants and the development of the pandemic. It has always been seeking a balance between COVID-19 response and economic development.

Over the recent three years, China has offered over a trillion yuan in tax relief for individual businesses and seen its annual grain output standing at more than 650 billion kilograms. It has launched a series of signature projects to promote high-quality development and released domestic demand through halving vehicle purchase tax and issuing consumption coupons.

China has coped with difficulties with science-based policies. It front-loaded and strengthened macro policies and accelerated the targeted implementation of micro policies, which boosted the confidence and relieved the burden of market entities. The country’s efforts stabilized the general economic and social development and realized economic recovery.

Addressing both pandemic response and economic development, China has demonstrated its strategic composure in complicated situations, as well as its capability in effectively coordinating COVID-19 prevention and control and economic and social development.

Now China has come to a new stage of pandemic response and optimized its control measures in accordance with the dynamics of COVID-19. It is earnestly implementing the new control measures, ensuring medical supply and services for the people, focusing on the control work for seniors and people with underlying diseases, ensuring people’s health and preventing patients from developing critical symptoms.

By optimizing control measures, enhancing coordination, and ensuring organized implementation, the country will successfully cope with the currently rising infections and maintain a sound social order.

At present, the momentum for China’s rapid economic rebound is being accumulated and released. The Chinese economy enjoys strong resilience, huge potential and strong vitality. The fundamentals sustaining China’s long-term economic growth remain unchanged, and so do the factors supporting the country’s high-quality development.

It is believed that as China further implements its new COVID-19 response measures and the country’s policies to stabilize its economy continue taking effect, China’s economic and social vitality will be released to the maximum extent, contributing to the country’s economic recovery.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

A UN deal aimed at reversing biodiversity loss and setting the world on a path of recovery has been adopted at the second part of the COP15, formally known as the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, in Montreal, Canada on Dec. 19, local time.

The deal, officially known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, has mapped out a new blueprint for global biodiversity governance up to 2030 and even beyond.

The international community believes that the Framework is both ambitious and practical, and is of milestone significance.

The meeting adopted over 60 resolutions and reached consensus on the goals and targets, resource mobilization and Digital Sequence Information, or DSI, under the framework.

At the meeting, countries pledged to have restoration completed or underway on at least 30 percent of degraded terrestrial, inland waters, and coastal and marine ecosystems by 2030. It was made clear that developing countries will be supported by capital, technology and capacity building.

The Framework will guide the international community to stop and reverse biodiversity loss, promote biodiversity recovery and realize the vision 2050 of “living in harmony with nature.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the Framework has unquestionably brought new hopes to human and nature.

On October 12, 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the leaders’ summit of the COP15 held in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan province via video link. Recently he once again delivered a keynote speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the high-level segment of the second part of the COP15. Xi’s speeches contributed Chinese wisdom, plans and strength to enhancing biodiversity conservation and injected important impetus for the meeting to achieve positive results.

China has made unremitted efforts to play a leading and coordinating role as the presidency of the COP15. It promoted the adoption of the Kunming Declaration at the high-level segment of the first part of the COP15, charting the course for reversing biodiversity loss.

Between the first and second parts of the COP15, the country convened nearly 40 meetings of the presidium and more than 100 bilateral and multilateral coordination meetings at different levels to promote greater consensus among all parties.

China also made full use of important occasions and opportunities such as the UN, the G20, and the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) to communicate and coordinate with all parties to make the second part of the COP15 a success.

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity noted that the reaching of the Framework is not only a victory for China alone, but the whole world led by China.

The Framework boosted the world’s confidence in joining hands to cope with global challenges. Biodiversity loss is a common challenge faced by entire humanity. To promote global biodiversity governance, multilateralism must be practiced. The high-level segment of the second part of the COP15 was joined by the largest number of representatives in the history of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, which fully demonstrated the political will of all parties to advance the global process of biodiversity conservation. All parties worked to meet each other halfway during negotiations, demonstrating the spirit of cooperation. Facts once again proved that only by working together can the world accomplish big and great things with a far-reaching impact.

Now what remains important is the implementation of the Framework. All parties shall translate their consensus into effective policies, concrete actions and specific projects. Most of the regions with rich biodiversity are located in developing countries, which are in urgent demand for capital and technological support to cope with biodiversity loss. At the second part of the COP15, developed countries promised to provide international aid for biodiversity conservation of at least $20 billion to developing countries annually by 2025 and $30 billion by 2030. Developed countries shall fulfill the promise and take concrete actions in international aid, technological transfer and personnel training.

A civilization may thrive if its natural surroundings thrive. The international community shall make concerted efforts, safeguard real multilateralism and forge strong synergy for safeguarding the planet.

China will actively implement the Framework, support other developing countries in their biodiversity conservation efforts, enhance exchanges and cooperation with developed countries and work with all parties to build a community of

Some patriotic Nigerians, today, held a ’10 Million-Man Peace and Unity Rally’ in Abuja to show appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Armed Forces, Police and other security agencies for a peaceful holiday so far.

Under the auspices of the Concerned Nigerians for Peace and Security, the visibly elated Nigerians, at the Unity Fountain, expressed solidarity with the President for the security in the land.

In his address titled ‘Why The Bombs No Longer Go Off’, the convener, Ben Amodu, recalled the horrific Christmas experiences before this administration.

He said: “Once upon a time, we were scared of where the next bang would resonate. We were afraid of the casualties in Abuja, Maiduguri, Yobe, Adamawa, Jos, Nasawara and all across the country. It seemed like Armageddon. The bombs went off at will, and the attendant flow of blood in the land.

“There were barricades everywhere that disrupted our socio-economic lives. It was unconvincing, but it was a security measure. Abuja, the federal capital territory, was not safe. We slept with one eye closed and one opened. That was once in a time.

“Our joy indeed knows no bounds with the efforts of the Armed Forces in preserving the country’s territorial integrity over the years. A myriad of challenges has confronted us, from the Boko Haram insurgency in North East to armed banditry in North West and separationist agitations in South West and South East. The list goes on.

“We have witnessed leadership and what leadership entails. We have seen concerted efforts at addressing those threats that kept us in bondage even in our own country. We were not sure of anything. We waited to count the number of dead bodies. The various news mediums always had alarming headlines. It was terrible, and it was a period we never wish for again in the annals of our dear country.”

Amodu said the success is due to President Buhari’s proactiveness, foresight and determination to bequeath a legacy of secured and prosperous nation.

He said one of the drastic measures was the rejigging of security architecture as well as enhanced inter-agency collaboration.

“The Chief of Defence Staff, General LEO Irabor, is the everyday soldier whose passion for the country has never been in doubt. He is the leader that Nigeria deserves in all facets of our socio-economic lives. He is dedicated and has brought about an improved interagency collaboration in the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, has also displayed an unalloyed loyalty to the country. His leadership stride in the Nigerian Army is second to none. The Nigerian Army today is the bastion of our democracy.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, has displayed that the Nigerian Navy is a veritable force to reckon with in counter-insurgency operations. Its involvement in joint military operations across the country had been noteworthy.

“The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, has made a loud statement in leading the air power component to address the country’s various security challenges.The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba’s leadership of the Nigerian Police Force, has revamped efforts at internal security operations across the country. The Nigerian Police Force has ensured a seamless collaboration with the security agencies in the country. This was brought about by a renewed vision for policing in Nigeria.

“We must salute the passion and commitment of Mr President in providing the political will needed by the Armed Forces in their efforts to address the security challenges in the country. The security agencies’ recorded results are a function of various factors and chiefly amongst them is the provision of sound and purposeful leadership.

“Today, the bombs no longer go off. This is our reality. Why the bombs no longer go off is because of Mr President’s ingenuity to appoint a former Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole as the Centre defender for the counter-insurgency operations.

“Mr President, we can’t help but thank you for your efforts in the last year. Banditry is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Kidnapping for ransom has been addressed despite the challenges posed by it.The list goes on, and one of the takeaways from the recent happenings in the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces is that leadership is a factor that we must take seriously at all times.

“Nigeria is a great country, and those in leadership positions must pledge Nigeria our country, to be faithful, loyal and honest, to serve Nigeria with all their strength, to defend our unity and uphold our honour and glory. So help us, God.The Nigeria of our dreams are possible. President Muhammadu Buhari has laid a solid foundation. The Service Chiefs have keyed into this new reality, and we are on the march again to greatness.”

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As Christians in Nigeria joined their counterparts across the globe to celebrate this year’s Christmas, Speaker Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi , has identified with them on the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ.

A statement by Press Secretary to the Speaker, Jibrin Gwamna quotes the Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi as describing the day as unique and special among Christians, hence the need for it to be used for sober reflection.

The Nasarawa State Number Three Citizen enjoined believers to use the period to extend hands of friendship to the less privileged ones in the society to give them sense of belonging and improve on their standard of living.

Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi called on Christians and other Nigerians to use the period and pray fervently for the success of next year’s general election.

He also enjoined Nigerians to always pray and support their leaders at all levels to succeed as well as remain committed to constituted authorities for peace and progress of the society.

In the spirit of the Christmas season, the association of Chinese Community in Edo state have donated food items to the Edo state government for the less privileged.

The body which is made up of Youngxing Steel Company, Time Ceramics, Ronsheng Glass, Rontai Wood, Rontai Aluminium among others donated the items in a brief presentation ceremony held at the government house, Benin City, the state capital.

Representative of the Chinese community in his remarks thanked the Edo state government for providing a safe investment environment for Chinese companies in the state thus promoting and encouraging investment, infrastructural development and job creation.

His words, “We want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Governor, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and the government of Edo State for their support to the Chinese community and Chinese-owned enterprises in the state. Under the Governor’s leadership, Edo’s building materials and construction industry has grown rapidly. Edo State, which was before now a southern transportation hub is gradually growing into a southern building materials manufacturing centre, thanks to the efforts of the government to encourage businesses.

“The government has been able to create a safe investment environment which has continued to attract Chinese enterprises. In addition, the people of the State have been friendly and welcoming. As a result more and more expatriates, especially Chinese people, are seeing Edo State as an important investment destination. Chinese enterprises have become partners in progress in the development of the economy of the State and Nigeria, at large. We have been direct employers of labour and have also created a large number of local employment opportunities through supporting businesses. We will continue to contribute to the development of Edo State and the well-being of the people.

“This is also our way of saying to the government and people of Edo State, “we appreciate your love for the Chinese community in Edo State,” he added.

Mr Osarodion Ogie, Secretary to the State Government, who received the items on behalf of the state government in his remarks thanked the Chinese community for their donations and promised to support the Chinese community in accordance with laid down laws in the state and country for more business advancement.

Items donated include 3500 bags of rice, 510 bags of beans, 600 cartons of tomato paste, and 1500 cartons of noodles worth 70 million Naira.