NIFOR: Looming Crisis Over Alleged Delay in Appointment of Substantive CEO

There is palpable tension in the 16 host communities of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), over alleged delay in releasing the result of the competency test to fill the vacant position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Institute.

The host communities, namely, Uwan, Ugbogiobo, Evboneka, Iyowa, Oluku, Okokhuo, Abumwere, Isikhukhu, Ekowe, Ekodobo, Azalama, Ozoguo, Obazuwa, Ekiadolor , Iguediaken , and Okunuvbe, through their Elders’ Forum, have written a petition to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, alleging suppression of the results for the appointment of a substantive CEO for the Institute.

The petition written by their Counsel, Idahosa Moses and Co, was signed by Omobude Ali Joseph, Aighobahi Daniel, Omoruyi Jolly, Ahanor Ekhosuehi and Ofamukoro Matthew for the communities’ Elders’ Forum, with copies addressed to the Senate President, Chief of Staff to the President, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and the Head of Service of the Federation.

They described the alleged delay as a deliberate attempt to undermine transparency, which is now causing unrest among staff and other stakeholders in the institute.

The petition reads in part: “We, the undersigned persons and indigenes of NIFOR host communities most passionately appeal to you sir, to probe into the deliberate and none disclosure of the outcome of a competency test and interview conducted by NIFOR.

“We are stakeholder in NIFOR affairs and we want an enduring peace in the Institute. The said exam/interview was a criteria set out for the selection and appointment of a suitable and substantive CEO for the Institute.

“The none-release of the names of successful candidates who sat for the competency test months ago, are potential factors fuelling the gathering storm that would soon implode if urgent actions are not taken.”

While demanding urgent action to resolve the brewing tension and possible crisis, the host communities urged the federal government to take prompt action on the matter they said could lead to a catastrophic breach of public peace at the Institute, by upholding the established guidelines for managing agricultural research institutes to restore order and public trust at NIFOR.

“Failure to release the results violates public service rules, which mandated retirement of staff who had spent eight years as director, a standard allegedly flouted at NIFOR,” they added.