NIGERIA EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL
(NEPC).DAVID IBRAHIM ADULUGBA’S INJUSTICE
I am really amazed and have not
fathomed why some human beings are very inconsiderate. Why is it that some
people take pleasure in seeing others undergo avoidable pain and hardship when
they are in the position to ameliorate such ugly situation? Why do some who
cross the river suddenly want the bridge to break? Why do some people easily
forget? Why do some human beings fail to realise that the position they occupy
today is given them in trust and they are there today and gone tomorrow? In
life nothing is permanent.
David Ibrahim Adulugba is the
Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Export Promotion
Council, NEPC. He was appointed on 17 June, 2009, by Late President Umaru
Yar’Adua on the recommendation of then Minister of Ministry of Commerce, now
Ministry of Trade and Investment. Before his appointment, he was among the
staff of NEPC sacked by the then CEO, Mrs. Gladys Modupe Sasore in her
restructuring programme. The recall of some of the affected staff was after
concerted efforts and prayers organized by David Adulugba and other staff
relieved of their positions.
When David Adulugba was eventually
recalled and appointed the ED/CEO, many staffers who were yet to be recalled
heaved a sigh of relief that what Mrs. Sasore denied them will be restored to
them. But their hope as events unfold seems to be in a very dark tunnel and a
distant dream. Mr. Adulugba who gave assurances that he was going to recall the
remaining staff asked for the reopening of the seven Zonal Offices that were
closed during Mrs. Sasore’s reign of terror. His request was approved. Today,
NEPC has thirteen Zonal Offices across the country. The NEPC boss brought up
another argument that he needs funds to be able to recall those workers yet to
join their colleagues. Budget was made and approval given. Again, he reneged on
his promise and ministerial approval to recall the 125 affected staff.
To the chagrin of most staff of the
Council, Mr.Adulugba insisted on employing new staff, many of who are alleged
to be his kinsmen, but the Ministry, and Board members of NEPC and Directors
working with him objected. He later pruned the number from 125 to 72 following
the recommendation of a Committee he set up. Consequently, on 3 June, 2011, the
shortlisted workers were invited for interview. They came from across the
country to Abuja. But sadly, the interview did not hold and Mr. Adulugba was
not even available to address those he asked to come for written interview as
prelude to their recall. Mr M.O. Ibrahim, director office of the Executive
Director and Mr. Benibo Boma, deputy director Personnel, addressed those who
came for the interview. They said something came up that necessitated the
postponement and that they would be duly informed in due course. Those who
risked the journey to Abuja left dejected without compensation for wasted trip.
Mr. Adulugba who boasts that the
Senate President is from his State has published a list of only 17 names of the
125 awaiting recall as those who qualify for his magnanimity. He is alleged to
have concluded arrangement to use his cronies to fill the slot of those in his
black book to justify the outstanding arrears he is supposed to pay, which is
said to have been misappropriated. Many of the senior and junior workers are
apparently sad about the latest development but the name dropping of the Senate
President by Mr. David Adulugba who hails from Benue State appears to have put
them in a state of inertia. But one is aware that the Senate President will not
condescend to such pedestrian level as to support monumental injustice of Mr.
David Ibrahim Adulugba who claims to be a pastor. One wants to believe that the
Senate President may not have met the boss of NEPC let alone authorising such
action of the Stone Age.
David Adulugba finally employed 70
new workers many of whom are his kinsmen, relatives and children of directors
of the Council and senior officials of Trade and Investment Ministry. That is
why all men of goodwill should prevail on Mr David Adulugba to do the right
thing and recall all the staff for which he got approval of offices and money
for their recall. Mr. Adulugba should use his exalted offices and leased
authority well. He has a limited time on that position. He can be removed by
nature or by man. Let him do justice. Why has he forgotten so soon all Chief
Executives that had gone before him? One hopes that the Nigerian factor will
not deny 125- 17 staff justice.
BEAM
ANTI CORRUPTION SEARCHLIGHT ON NEPC
Nigeria Export Promotion Council,
NEPC, is corruption and injustice ridden. Mr. David Adulugba is the CEO/CE of
the organization. He was compulsorily retired along some other staff by Mrs.
Gladys Modupe Sasore the then boss. After concerted challenge of the wrongful
retirement approval was given for Mr. Adulugba and other of his colleagues to
be recalled. However, since he became boss on 17 June 2009, Mr. Adulugba has
refused to issue letter of recall to others yet to resume work. Instead he
employed 70 new staff to fill vacancies at the Zonal Offices reopened to
accommodate the 120 staff to be recalled. This was after interviewing those
staff he was asked to recall contrary to government directive.
In addition, government approved
money for payment of the staff to be recalled, but since Mr. David Adulugba has
refused to abide with government directive nobody knows what has become of the
money over three years now. EFCC and ICPC should please beam its searchlight on
NEPC. Mr. David Adulugba should not be allowed to continue with such injustice
and corruption.