The deluge of controversy trailing billionaire businessman reignites the timeless maxim, that, when a calamity of great magnitude afflicts a man, dishonour assumes tinier shades of mishaps and labours to knock him down.
Since Dangote became a person of interest to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the fraud case levelled against ex-CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, a cache of teenier catastrophes has dogged his footsteps.
On Sunday to be precise, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), urged President Bola Tinubu to probe the alleged mismanagement of the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria’s fund under Dangote’s leadership.
Addressing a press conference at the Excellence Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday, the NANS Senate President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, asked the President to ensure that anyone found guilty is held accountable for their actions.
He also urged Tinubu to ensure swift action toward restructuring the leadership and governance of CTIN. Babatunde said, “Today we are raising our voices in protest, We are writing to you to express our deep concern and outrage regarding the mismanagement and lack of accountability within the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), an organisation under Alh Aliko Dangote’s Leadership as pioneer and self-imposed life Chairman.
“The alleged misused, diversion and misappropriation of such strategic fund intended to provide training and development opportunities for Nigerian youth in the cement industry in line with the establishment goals of CTIN is a weighty one, in fact it’s a future-threatening act and an act of economy sabotage.
“Certainly, the fund has been squandered, leaving a trail of broken promises and shattered dreams as nothing can be pointed at as an achievement in this regard.
“The situation of countless Nigerian youths, who remain unemployed and lacking technical skills in a rapidly advancing global economy like ours, is a harsh testament to the repercussions of such mismanagement and embezzlement. We demand answers, we demand accountability, we demand explanation and we demand justice.
“In clear terms, we urge Mr President’s directive to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to make public as a matter of urgency and national importance her role so far, the status, management, and usage of the over N20 billion (about $100 million) contributed as levies on imported cement to CTIN for technical training purposes for over 10 years ago when Nigeria was still importing cement.”
The students claimed that over N20 billion was contributed as levies on imported cement to CTIN for technical training purposes over a decade ago when the country was still importing cement.
They urged Tinubu to direct the immediate engagement of an external independent forensic auditor to audit the CTIN funds.
“This is not a plea for answers; this is a demand for accountability, transparency, justice, and a rallying cry for all those who believe in Nigeria’s potential and the rights of its youth to education, opportunity, and a fair shot at success.
“We will not rest until every penny of the funds is accounted for, and until those responsible for this shameful betrayal of trust by hiding these funds and not using them for their right purpose, are held accountable publicly. We will use every available platform and legal recourse to seek justice and ensure that such a breach of public trust never reoccurs,” said the NANS president.
In August 2011, the Ministry of Trade and Investment established the Cement Technology Institute to support the domestic cement industry and its activities through the acquisition and development of appropriate technology, and to ensure the availability of affordable cement throughout the country.
The Institute is mandated to carry out research and development, promote the adoption of sustainable alternative technologies, and human capacity building in the cement sub-sector of the economy.
In June 2016, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission visited the Bank of Industry in connection with the CTIN’s fund being managed by the bank.
The anti-graft agency had acted on a petition by the CTIN to the Presidency in November 2015. But the then Acting Managing Director, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, explained that the stakeholders resolved the issues in February 2016, two months after the petition was filed.
